Artificial Intelligence for People, Planet, and Profit

The AI4PPP project was born out of a clear need to equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills to navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI. Universities and MBA programs, as incubators of tomorrow’s decision-makers, have a critical role to play in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities AI presents. Our target audience, MBA students and executives, are poised to lead organizations across both public and private sectors. Yet, research conducted by Algebra University’s MBA program and EY in 2020 revealed a significant gap: while C-level executives recognized the importance of AI, they lacked the understanding to assess its benefits, take the first steps toward integration, or manage the human and organizational changes required for successful AI adoption. This project aimed to address that gap head-on. By demystifying AI, we sought to provide the education and tools needed to not only understand AI but also to harness its potential effectively. We created a learning environment that bridges the gap between theory and practice. In doing so, we aimed to empower leaders who can drive innovation responsibly and ethically in an AI-driven future.

The AI4PPP project aimed to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into business education, equipping future leaders with AI-driven decision-making skills that align with the People, Planet, Profit (PPP) sustainability framework. By collaborating with universities and MBA programs, the project sought to develop AI-based teaching methodologies, digital tools, and real-world case studies that enhance the understanding of AI’s role in sustainable business. AI4PPP focused on bridging the gap between AI innovation and business education, ensuring that graduates are prepared to apply AI ethically and effectively in tackling economic, social, and environmental challenges. Additionally, the project aimed to increase AI literacy among educators, enabling them to integrate AI-driven insights into curricula and foster a new generation of responsible business leaders.

The AI4PPP project produced a range of tangible outputs and impactful results that significantly contribute to the integration of AI into business education and practice. The GAP analysis report was the starting point, providing meaningful insights about the modern MBA program landscape. It touched upon the inclusion of AI and digital transformation in business education and projected the growing necessity of AI-driven knowledge among business leaders (beyond IT). The report acted as a basis for creating further project deliverables, including syllabus development, learning materials, and applied case studies. DACUM analysis report was to determine industries that were ready for AI adoption. The report was created through interviewing non-technical, C-level executives, which set the stage for AI issues faced in various industries. Analysis was crucial in setting up the design of educational materials because it provided direct needs of the industry and understanding of AI issues, thus making the project tailored to real demands. One of the main deliverables of the project was the syllabus, to enhance MBA and MA business courses with a focus on the application of AI in business. Written in English to be globally usable, the syllabus provided a blueprint for the production of learning materials in the next phases and was to be universally transferable across higher education settings. The educational material that was created was at the centre of the AI4PPP initiative. Nine industry-based modules were created, with each one focusing on an actual business case that illustrates AI applications in sectors like tourism, logistics, healthcare, and smart cities. These ready-to-use, open-source resources are designed to introduce AI to business education naturally, offering universities and training institutions flexible resources easily customizable to varied environments. The piloting report documented the experiment and evaluation of these learning modules in real-life settings, ranging from university teaching, workshops, and industrial practices to web training. This report highlights implementation methodology, participant recruiting (both the AI professionals as well as other non-technical professionals), and customization to align with diverse needs for learning. Feedback gathered from 124 participants across Croatia, Spain, and Slovenia was invaluable, providing insights into the effectiveness of the materials, their impact on participants, and areas for improvement. The AI implementation scenarios report explored the real-world applications of AI across various industries, sharing success stories, challenges, and best practices. By conducting interviews with AI implementation companies and industry specialists, this report bridged the gap between AI theory and practice and offered actionable recommendations for companies considering AI adoption. In addition to these core outputs, each of the project partners created the documentation to support the application for micro-credentials for the piloted programs. Such documentation facilitates compliance with national legislation and micro-credentialing standards, allowing the easy recognition of such programs across partnering countries. The AI4PPP project achieved several other important outcomes. The integration of AI in higher education was substantially facilitated, particularly in the case of MBA, imparting business students with strategic insights into AI-driven decision-making and paving the way for future leadership roles in an AI-empowered business environment. The initiative also contributed to improving data literacy, enabling individuals, regardless of technical skills, to process and analyse data efficiently. This core ability is relevant to the successful integration of AI so that more professionals can engage with AI technologies and apply them in practice. Moreover, the project acted as an important driver to accelerate AI adoption in non-tech industries, with the aim to equip businesses with the technology and expertise needed to harness AI towards enhanced efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness. In providing actionable insights on AI application, AI4PPP facilitated businesses to make conscious decisions on the manner in which they ought to apply AI within their business. Lastly, AI4PPP fostered greater collaboration between higher education institutions (HEIs) and businesses, consolidating relationships that foster innovation and regional economic growth. By bridging the gap between industry and academia, the project facilitated successful transfer of AI skills and knowledge to real-world application, enabling both academic success and business development.