Guest contribution in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on the role of artificial intelligence in business administration
They open with a compelling anecdote: A student achieved a perfect A in accounting after preparing entirely with AI tools that generated summaries, practice exercises, and podcasts. She did not attend a single in-person lecture. Olbert and Spengel use this example to illustrate what the rise of AI means for the future of teaching and research in business administration.
How AI Shapes Study and Practice
The importance of this question is significant. In Germany alone, approximately 230,000 young people are studying business administration. What they learn shapes the decisions of executives, investors, and policymakers. In this context, AI is no longer just a single tool that supports learning but has evolved into a comprehensive cognitive infrastructure that directly affects the core of teaching and research.
Olbert and Spengel’s conclusion is clear: maintaining the status quo is not feasible. Traditional assessment methods are becoming less relevant, leading universities to try new formats that encourage more interaction and allow for considered use of AI. The focus is shifting from reproducing knowledge to developing analytical skills and critical thinking.
Where Humans Remain Irreplaceable
Why this is so important becomes especially clear in practice. In many cases, human judgment remains essential, particularly when not all information is fully available or can be modeled. Examples include strategic decision-making, negotiations, or dealing with regulatory authorities. Skills such as analysis, evaluating options, and taking responsibility are essential here. By addressing these aspects, the lasting value of a business administration degree lies here.
The Future of Business Administration Studies
Back to the student with her perfect A. Her performance demonstrates what AI can achieve, but also where education must change. Universities are not just places for sharing knowledge, but also spaces for guidance, interaction, and personal development. Students want to understand which insights are trustworthy, when technology can be applied effectively, and where human judgment and decision-making remain essential.
According to Olbert and Spengel, this is where the future of business administration lies: not in competing with AI, but in consciously and responsibly shaping its use.
Curious about their full analysis and recommendations? Read the guest article by Olbert and Spengel in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (with paywall*).
* To circumvent the paywall, we try to access the articles via the University of Mannheim library subscriptions. To read the articles, you need to be connected with eduroam or the VPN.