Thanks to a $5 million gift from 1972 MBA alumnus Stephen A. Schwarzman—chairman, CEO, and co-founder of multinational private equity asset management and financial services firm Blackstone—more artificial intelligence–focused case studies are coming to Harvard Business School (HBS). The donation will help the school explore the implications of AI on industries, business, and markets and will help to spur the efforts of HBS faculty currently researching AI.
Discussing the donation, HBS Dean Nitin Nohria pointed to the potentially profound implications AI could have on the future of work and society. “We believe it is imperative to provide our students with opportunities to explore how these changes will affect the role of managers,” Nohria said. “Steve’s generous gift will accelerate faculty research in this area, advancing understanding and exposing business leaders around the world to this increasingly important topic.”
The new Schwarzman Research Fund will sponsor case studies across a range of AI topics including the impact of AI in the workplace today and its potential to disrupt future industries. Other artificial intelligence topics that may be discussed include its potential to create new markets and business models, the need for AI skills in the workforce, organizational design, policy, and ethical consideration, and more. In particular, HBS AI research might focus on:
- Market creation
- Organizational structures
- Operating model design
- Innovation frameworks
- Worker productivity
- Long-term policy
For Schwarzman, AI intersects naturally with Blackstone’s diverse portfolio. “I have seen firsthand the impact that rapid technological change has on businesses and industries,” he said. “The disruptive implications and opportunities surrounding AI are far-reaching. Executives need to understand how to anticipate, act on, and manage these changes. I am hopeful that through these case studies—hallmarks of the HBS experience that have helped train a century of business leaders—we can better prepare the next generation to help shape the application of AI in an ethical and accountable way that benefits the public interest.”
To learn more about how the $5 million donation will impact cases and other research materials at HBS, take a look at the original school news release.
