IIMs revising curricula faster to keep pace with AI, business disruptions

New Delhi: The country’s top business schools, Indian Institutes of Management, are revising their curricula more often than the earlier frequency of once in every three-to-five years to align with changing corporate needs, triggered by technology and business disruptions.

AI and GenAI are becoming part of almost all the course offerings at the IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Indore, Sambalpur and Raipur. So is sustainability or ESG (environment, social and governance).

Some are introducing new courses, like IIM Bangalore’s recently launched ‘Token Economy’.

“Token Economy is a newly designed cutting-edge course through which students will learn to navigate digital platforms, create and launch tokens, and explore emerging models like non-fungible tokens and the Metaverse,” said Mukta Kulkarni, dean of academic programmes at IIM Bangalore.

Through no-code tools and experiential learning, the course bridges theory and real-world application, preparing students to lead in a decentralised, digital-first economy, she said.

IIM Bangalore has also recently added ESG as a core subject in the full-time two-year MBA (PGP). The first edition will start in June 2025, according to Kulkarni.

Diptesh Ghosh, dean (programmes) at IIM Ahmedabad, said the institute is “actively evolving our curriculum to keep pace with advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence.”

Recent additions at IIM Ahmedabad include topics such as generative AI, ethical considerations in AI deployment, the risks associated with widespread AI adoption, and deep-tech business models. “All courses are reviewed with a primary aim to keep them relevant to the modern corporate world,” Ghosh said.

IIM Ahmedabad is currently setting up a new campus in Dubai, where it plans to start a one-year full-time MBA programme this September.

The changes are driven by corporate demand for graduates who are agile, tech-savvy, and strategic in their thinking, experts at IIMs said.

“The landscape of management is changing rapidly with the integration of technology, sustainability, and globalisation,” said Ram Kumar Kakani, director of IIM Raipur.

IIM Raipur has recently introduced courses like crisis management, GenAI and business analytics; capstone business simulation; and marketing, music and storytelling, among others.

The institute is introducing more specialised courses that explore AI applications in decision-making, operations, marketing, and HR. “These additions will help students develop a hands-on understanding of how data, algorithms, and automation are influencing the future of business strategy and execution,” Kakani said.

IIM Indore recently introduced courses in AI, data analytics, and digital transformation, focusing on their application in business decision-making.

“We are putting greater emphasis on experiential learning, including live projects, simulations, and industry collaborations,” said Himanshu Rai, director of IIM Indore. New-age electives in areas like sustainability, fintech, and innovation management are also being planned, he said.

IIM Indore is also planning to introduce AI tools like TensorFlow, scikit-learn, and cloud-based platforms, along with covering topics on ethics and governance in AI, Rai said.

IIM Sambalpur is focusing on greater integration of AI into its teaching and evaluation methodologies, case studies on AI platforms, sustainability and entrepreneurship among others, its director Mahadeo Jaiswal said.

“Our new programmes will be unique and cater to fill a gap that is essential to develop graduates with skills required for building a modern India,” he said. “Technologies like AI, automation, machine learning and data analytics are no longer optional; they are essential tools for modern leaders.”

IIM Sambalpur has also introduced AI-powered case discussion at its campus.