The Future Of AI: How Learning About Emerging Technologies Can Future-Proof Your Career

Few technological innovations have had as profound an impact as generative artificial intelligence (AI) in recent decades. Three years after the AI boom began with the emergence of ChatGPT, companies today are investing heavily in infrastructure to support the rapid shift towards an AI-activated economy.

It’s no surprise, therefore, that the World Economic Forum predicts AI skills will become the most in-demand skill area over the next five years.

So, what does that mean if you’re aiming to set yourself up for long-term career success? In today’s business landscape, to impress recruiters and successfully navigate the changing workplace, you need an understanding of emerging technologies as well as knowledge of fundamental business concepts.

This principle is core to the business education at Bentley University, a business school with a range of degree programs that each offer students opportunities to expand their business acumen and explore emerging technologies.

The importance of emerging technologies for business school students

While it’s generated the most interest in recent years, AI is just one area of emerging technology where today’s business school students must develop their knowledge and expand their skills. Other notable technological breakthroughs in recent years have included cloud computing, blockchain, and quantum computing, explains Jennifer Xu (pictured), professor of Information Computer Systems at Bentley.

“At this moment, we don't necessarily see a lot of real-world applications or use cases yet. But they all have the potential to change the business world very significantly This is the property that emerging technologies often share,” she says.

While the history of AI dates back to the 1950s, the recent breakthrough of generative AI has propelled the technology to a new phase of development, with ample opportunity for real-world application.

“People are developing all kinds of interesting applications to change the business world,” says Jennifer. This ranges from opportunities for content generation, streamlining operations, curating customer journeys, and many other possibilities that cross industries and functions.

Given its broad usability, business professionals must be proficient in AI and understand its key principles to maximize its impact. The same is true for other emerging technologies that have the potential to impact business decisions.

“It’s important for business leaders and professionals to understand emerging technology so they can leverage them to drive innovation, improve productivity and efficiency, better respond to market trends, and create a competitive advantage,” Jennifer adds.

“If you don't understand emerging technologies, you are falling behind.”

How business school students can learn about emerging technologies

Bentley offers a variety of programs tailored to students’ professional goals. Learners can enroll in full-time and part-time MBA programs (including programs that are STEM designated) to build their experience, refine their business acumen, and learn fundamental theories, while also developing their knowledge of emerging tech. Emerging technologies are also woven into Bentley’s specialized master’s offerings, such as the Master’s in Business Analytics. 

Those looking to upskill quickly can enroll in specialist short-form short-form professional development courses, covering areas such as Artificial Intelligence for Business Advantage and Change Management.

All of these programs are built upon the school’s core focus, Jennifer explains. Faculty research emerging technologies, assess their practical applications, and incorporate them into the curriculum once there are actionable learnings for students.

“In terms of a curriculum design, we try to stay in tune to the state of technologies,” she says. “We invite employers to come to campus to give talks, seminars, workshops, and to help us stay attuned to the current needs of employers in the market so that we will be able to prepare students for the future.”

The career benefits of understanding emerging technologies

Learning concepts and theories alone is not enough to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Bentley therefore focuses on helping students refine their practical expertise in emerging technologies, using specialist tools to allow them to apply their newfound knowledge.

In a data visualization module, for example, students will spend time working with tools such as Power BI and Tableau. Those learning about financial markets and investments will also learn to use Python programming to extract the insights they need.

“That is how we adapt all learning at Bentley, it’s very practical so students can actually leverage and use their skills to learn from the classroom immediately,” says Jennifer

For students, this ensures that when they gain opportunities to work in real-world settings, they are better prepared to shift from the classroom to the workplace. It also makes them a more attractive prospect when applying for new roles, Jennifer says.

“Employers like to hire students and graduates who can add or create value immediately after they are hired.”

However, to truly future-proof their careers, Jennifer emphasizes that understanding emerging tech is not enough. It remains vitally important to balance this technical knowledge with an ability to work in teams, communicate with others, and navigate the challenges that organizations face daily.

Sean Ferguson, vice president of strategy and innovation at Bentley, agrees: "The Graduate Management Admission Council's recent Corporate Recruiter's Survey highlights the increasing importance of technology and IT skills and skill with AI tools, but at the same time still ranks strategic thinking and problem solving as the two most important skills of the future. The tech and human skills together are a powerful combination. We see this as a validation of Bentley's approach to curriculum."

Jennifer agrees that, at the end of the day, whatever your technical capabilities, knowing how to work with others remains essential. “For business school students and for future business leaders, most of the time in their future career they will be working with people,” she says. “They’ll work with people with different kinds of needs and backgrounds, so they still have to understand how to do this.”