AI Tutor Fosters Critical Analysis Skills in MBA Students

The business school faced challenges in delivering timely and accurate support to students grappling with complex business concepts. By deploying a generative AI tool, the school empowered students to access instant, data-driven insights, enhancing learning outcomes and fostering a more engaging educational experience.

Client:

Harvard Business School is one of the most prestigious business schools in the world, known for its rigorous academic programs and influential alumni. HBS offers a variety of degree programs and is consistently ranked among the top business schools globally.

Problem Statement:

● Information overload: Students struggled to navigate vast amounts of course materials and case studies.
● Time constraints: Balancing studies with other responsibilities limited in-depth analysis time.
● Need for individualized support: Students required tailored assistance beyond standard teaching methods.

Results:

☑️ Enhanced student experience through AI
☑️ Optimized faculty workload

AI Solution:

Jeffrey Bussgang, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, developed a generative AI chatbot to address the challenges of information overload and time constraints MBA students face. The chatbot was built on Microsoft Azure’s cloud platform to ensure the security of sensitive case study data.

The developers trained the AI on a comprehensive dataset encompassing two textbooks, over 50 case studies, and various spreadsheets and presentations. Unlike generative models like ChatGPT, they designed this chatbot to provide accurate, data-driven responses based on the input information.

Functionality and Usage

Information Provision: The chatbot can provide students with:
Cases overviews
Core problems addressed in the cases
Additional materials for deeper exploration
Administrative information (e.g., professor office hours)

Simulations: The chatbot allows students to experiment with different variables in cases, helping them better understand cause-and-effect relationships.

Focus on Analysis: The chatbot doesn’t provide ready-made answers but assists students in independently analyzing information and drawing conclusions.

Students use the chatbot to deepen their understanding of the material. They can ask questions about cases, get additional information, and experiment with different solutions. The chatbot helps students focus on analysis and critical thinking rather than searching for ready-made answers.

Reference:

1. Harvard Business School Students Are Being Encouraged To Use Generative AI in The Classroom

Industry: Education Technology
Vendor: Harvard Business School (HBS)
Client: Harvard Business School MBA students