It is remarkable how far we have come with artificial intelligence in just a few decades. When I began working with AI as a PhD student in the 1990s, tasks like teaching computers to recognize images were painstakingly slow and required immense resources. Fast-forward to today, and those same tasks are performed with incredible efficiency. To illustrate the leap we’ve made, the cost of computational power has plummeted to the point where a dollar now achieves 1 billion times more calculations than it could 30 years ago. This transformation is nothing short of extraordinary.
AI is no longer just a concept; it has become a practical tool for solving complex problems, enhancing productivity, and creating new opportunities across industries at every organizational level. As we stand at the forefront of this transformative technological change, there has never been a more exciting time to explore the role of AI in transforming the workforce and redefining the way we work.
In this issue of Columbia Business, we explore CBS faculty insights on the major transformations impacting the workplace, with a special focus on the role of AI in shaping these changes. Over the past few years, we have introduced a suite of courses on breakthrough technologies, AI applications, and their strategic implications.
Our curriculum equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience with AI models, understanding their potential and limitations, and exploring their ability to disrupt industries like marketing, investment management, accounting, and more. Professors like Dan Wang and Ashli Carter are blazing a trail with innovative AI-based teaching strategies, helping students to build resilience in the workplace and utilize AI as a valuable debate partner.
Beyond teaching, we are fostering innovation through our research. Our professors and students are delving into the broader implications of AI on management, leadership, and the future of work. For example, Stephan Meier and Todd Jick are researching the best methods for managers to prioritize employees during AI adoption. Others, like Gita Johar, are exploring the role that publishers, platforms, and people are playing in AI-driven misinformation.
Recently, we unveiled our AI@CBS initiative, which introduces even more new courses and research that seamlessly integrate AI into the student experience. From exploring the impact of AI across industries to developing hands-on experience with the latest tools, our MBA, Executive MBA, MS, and PhD students can build confidence in using the latest tech in their chosen fields. The initiative emphasizes the societal and business implications of AI, so that students can fully prepare to lead in this rapidly evolving landscape.
History teaches us that adopting new technologies is often more about human behavior than technical capability. For instance, while online banking was technologically feasible two decades ago, widespread adoption required a cultural shift—one that was accelerated by the pandemic. Similarly, the integration of AI into workplaces will depend on how organizations and individuals embrace change. Leaders will need to manage this transition thoughtfully, addressing resistance and fostering collaboration between humans and intelligent systems.
As we look ahead, the potential for AI to enhance workplaces is vast—as long as we remember the humans that make this enhancement fully possible. AI can empower teams to focus on creative and strategic tasks by automating routine processes. It can also enable leaders to address global challenges, such as sustainability, through innovations like climate modeling and supply chain optimization.
At CBS, we are committed to equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability to thrive in this evolving landscape. Through partnerships with industry leaders, cutting-edge research, and curricular innovations, we aim to bridge the gap between academia and practice, ensuring our graduates are not only prepared for the future of work but also capable of shaping it.
By doing so, we can create workplaces where technology and human potential work together—and not against one another—to drive progress and create more efficient transformation for decades to come.
Costis Maglaras
Dean, Columbia Business School
David and Lyn Silfen Professor of Business
