Teaching Artificial Intelligence in Business Schools: Applied Assignments for Skills and Competence Development

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes a mandatory component within business environment and in many cases a key competitive advantage, it is essential that business education evolves accordingly for preparing students for this new reality. This paper presents an approach aimed at integrating AI into business education through practical, global oriented assignments. We have experimented with students working in teams to tackle real-world business challenges using AI tools and concepts. Their task was to analyze a specific business problem, design an AI-driven business model, and develop a prototype solution. The goal was to offer them not just theoretical insights, but a hands-on experience of how AI can support and transform business processes.The research is based on students’ experimentation with AI techniques to solve business problems, combined with insights gathered through a follow-up survey. Further, a survey explored students’ views on the relevance of AI in business, the effectiveness of the assignment, and the skills they felt they developed through the process.The findings suggest that this kind of applied, project-based learning has strong educational value. Students not only deepened their understanding of AI technologies but also gained confidence in using them creatively. Overall, this study contributes to the growing conversation about how business schools can better align their teaching with the realities of a rapidly evolving digital economy. It also offers practical suggestions for educators who wish to bridge the gap between academic theory and the demands of professional practice.