From An MBA In France To A Career In AI

In the two years since the emergence of ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies, artificial intelligence has become a focal point for businesses worldwide. 

But what does it really mean to be at the front lines of this transformation? How do professionals navigate the fast-evolving world of AI and machine learning, and how can aspiring leaders get there?

To explore these questions, BusinessBecause spoke with Asgeir Ingason and Suhasa Gottumukkala. 

Hailing from Iceland and India respectively, Asgeir and Suhasa share how their MBA in France shaped their careers and prepared them to lead in AI-driven industries.

“The MBA experience teaches you the importance of a growth mindset” 

Name: Asgeir Ingason

Origin: Iceland

Function: Founder and CEO

Raised in Iceland, Asgeir (pictured) built his career around leveraging advanced analytics and data to optimize business performance. Realizing the need for a deeper understanding of strategy and leadership to take his ambitions further, Asgeir decided that an MBA was the right move for his career.

“I recognized that an MBA would help me bridge the gap between technical expertise and business leadership,” he says. 

In Grenoble, Asgeir found a tech hub nestled in mountainous valleys, and steeped in a culture of innovation. Located at the heart of the city, the MBA program at Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM) offered a holistic yet rigorous approach to business, making it an ideal choice to advance his career.

“Grenoble’s reputation in Europe for strong business fundamentals and innovation was a major draw, especially because I wanted a program that emphasized both analytical rigor and global perspectives,” says Asgeir.

From adapting to market trends to embracing diverse cultural perspectives, developing a global mindset is essential for innovation in business. For Asgeir, this made the diversity of nationalities and professional experiences in his MBA cohort a standout feature of his experience.

“The chance to collaborate with talented individuals from diverse backgrounds broadened my perspective on business challenges and solutions,” he says.

After completing his MBA, Asgeir founded Sumo Analytics AI in 2019—an AI lab and advisory firm that develops custom solutions to help industries optimize operations and forecast scenarios for various industries. As founder and CEO, he now oversees the firm’s strategic direction, client relations, and product development. 

Reflecting on his MBA at GEM, two key lessons have shaped his career path: Strategic problem-solving and effective communication. 

“The MBA taught me to approach challenges with a more holistic perspective and to communicate complex ideas in an accessible way to non-technical stakeholders. 

“These skills have been invaluable, particularly when working with clients where bridging technical insights and business goals are essential.”

Cultivating a growth mindset during his MBA has been instrumental to forging a career in the ever-changing AI sector.

“My MBA encouraged me to evolve continuously, both personally and professionally. This mindset has certainly been invaluable as an entrepreneur, especially in the dynamic field of AI.”

“I became a COO when I realized that I needed an MBA”

Name: Suhasa Gottumukkala

Origin: India

Function: Product and AI lead

Graduating with an engineering degree in her home country of India, Suhasa quickly rose to chief operating officer (COO) of a prominent IT firm before going onto launch her own company, Retail 10x (R10x), which leverages advanced machine learning models to tackle food waste in retail.

Despite her strong leadership position, Suhasa realized that an MBA would allow her to bring her vision to life more effectively.

“We were already dabbling in artificial intelligence and machine learning in Retail 10x. That’s when I really researched France, which is a great place to be for food waste and sustainability,” she says.

With its role as host of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015, France led the development of the Paris Agreement—a commitment to limiting global warming to below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In response to the growing demand for sustainable business practices, France has become a prime environment for studying sustainability in business and green innovation.

Not unlike Asgeir, Suhasa came into her MBA with strong technical skills and AI experience. For her, the GEM MBA was transformative towards her growth as a business leader. 

“A very important skill I picked up was how to leverage people’s skills and strengths to build a high-performing team,” she says.

Despite beginning her MBA at the height of the pandemic in 2020, the tailored career support at Grenoble presented her with an opportunity to think critically about her goals.

“We received a lot of guidance from the careers team,” says Suhasa. “They looked at my resume and said: You have a great skill set, but what do you want to do? Where do you want to live? What kind of company do you want to work for? It was a real game-changer.” 

Luckily, Grenoble’s mountainous surroundings and eco-conscious culture offered a serene environment that gave Suhasa space to make key decisions about her future.

“The mountains drew me in,” she says. “There’s a quote that says: ‘Au bout de chaque rue, une montagne’ (at the end of every street, there’s a mountain).”

After graduating, Suhasa relocated to Berlin, joining market research firm POSpulse as a product manager before working her way up to product and AI lead. In her current role, she focuses on integrating AI into products, analyzing data value, and balancing business goals with ethical standards. 

Reflecting on the impact of the GEM MBA, her studies taught her the value of aligning departmental goals with broader business needs.

“My job isn’t just to build something and leave it to the sales team to sell it—I have to think beyond that. A lot of this comes from my MBA—analyzing the market and compromising for the company’s objectives,” says Suhasa.

Suhasa’s advice to ambitious graduates hoping to make it in AI?

“Focus on understanding how the technology works—this will keep you relevant, especially as the technology is changing every other day,” she concludes.