Nearly 9 in 10 finance executives say AI skills are more valuable than MBAs

A PwC survey of more than 1,000 US financial services executives found that 86% believe AI training is more valuable than an MBA for many new hires, and 91% are increasing compensation for employees with AI skills. The survey, released on Monday, reflects the urgency companies face in adopting AI, with firms like IBM, Shopify, and Cloudflare ramping up entry-level hiring for Gen Z graduates skilled in AI tools.

Nearly 9 in 10 finance executives say AI skills are more valuable than MBAs As tuition fees rise, prospective students are increasingly scrutinising what they will get in return EXECUTIVES are questioning the value of a master’s in business administration MBA in the artificial intelligence era. Of the more than 1,000 US financial services executives surveyed by consulting firm PwC, 86 per cent believe AI training is more valuable than an MBA for many new hires, reflecting the urgency that companies face in adopting the technology effectively https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/ai-can-boost-productivity-potentially-increase-revenue-many-asean-firms-struggle-roll-out-bain . The survey, released on Monday Aug 3 , showed that companies are willing to pay accordingly, with 91 per cent of executives increasing compensation for employees with AI skills. “There is a clear need for people that understand not just what an agent is, but how do you build them? How do you think about managing them?” said Peter Pollini, who leads PwC’s financial services industry practice. He added that many firms are looking for workers with technical skills https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/ai-reshaping-entry-level-jobs-upheaval-was-happening to help them implement the AI use cases they’ve identified. Whether an MBA is worth the investment has long been the subject of debate, particularly as the typical total cost of the degree nears US$300,000. As tuition fees rise, prospective students are increasingly scrutinising what they will get in return. Universities, meanwhile, have spotted an opportunity. Prestigious business schools at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT are offering a growing list of AI-themed executive education courses https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/3-types-learners-singapore-and-how-they-affect-workplace-productivity that are shorter and cheaper than a degree programme and offer certificates. At MIT, for example, students can take a five-day course called “Leading the AI-Driven Organisation” for about US$13,000. Growing demand for AI-savvy workers has led some companies, including software makers IBM, Shopify and Cloudflare, to ramp up entry-level hiring https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/scenario-ai-driven-jobless-economic-growth-need-not-scare-investors-and-society , betting that recent Gen Z graduates will be able to do more with AI tools than existing employees. BLOOMBERG Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free. Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services TRENDING NOW /pulse?ref=trending-now Temasek Financial launches 10-year fixed-rate Singapore dollar bond with initial price guidance of 2.7% Yeoh Pei Xien: YTL’s third-gen scion with a pastor’s heart UOB CEO’s youngest child Grant Wee turns burnout into a wellness business Singapore banks’ battle for wealth talent goes beyond private bankers