4.7.2025
Artificial intelligence is profoundly reshaping professions, skills, and ways of learning. At ESSEC Business School, this technological revolution is seen as a strategic opportunity academically, institutionally, and societally. Since 2020, the school has been building a rigorous and responsible approach to AI at the intersection of research, education, and innovation. The goal: to develop enlightened leaders capable of leveraging AI for the common good.
Long before the rapid rise of generative AI, ESSEC had already identified artificial intelligence as a key strategic driver. In 2020, the school launched the Metalab Institute for AI, Data and Society to examine the impact of emerging technologies across technical, ethical, managerial, and societal dimensions. This forward-looking initiative reflects ESSEC’s commitment to understanding and anticipating the profound transformations of organizations, skills, and educational models.
Today, artificial intelligence informs every discipline taught at ESSEC: marketing, finance, strategy, human resource management, as well as a field of study in its own right. The school’s ambition goes beyond merely equipping students with tools it aims to shape professionals who can take a step back, question applications, identify biases, and use AI as a catalyst for responsible progress.
At the heart of this strategy, the Metalab serves as a catalyst. It brings together internal initiatives, fosters synergies between departments, academic chairs, corporate partners, and external institutions. Its mission: to ensure smooth coordination between research, education, and innovation. The Metalab provides faculty with access to a dedicated AI technical platform, facilitates access to real-world data and user bases, and encourages cross-disciplinary projects.
The Metalab Institute for AI, Data and Society also works closely with the Department of Information, Decision and Operations (IDO), a unique department among French business schools. Positioned at the crossroads of data science, management, and operations research, the IDO department actively contributes to embedding AI-related issues into ESSEC’s academic programs.
ESSEC’s digital transformation is further guided by the broader Transcend strategy, with a clear goal: to enhance the student and participant experience through controlled and ethical use of AI. Led by Ahmed Jerbi, Director of Data and AI, this vision is not about automating everything, but about using data and algorithms to support pedagogy—while preserving the essential role of human judgment.
"From preventing student disengagement to supporting lead management and offering personalized learning, our AI initiatives at ESSEC follow one guiding principle: to continuously improve the learning experience. This is why key decisions, whether related to pedagogy, human resources, or admissions, are, and will always be, made by people," explains Ahmed Jerbi.
ESSEC is integrating AI into its academic programs thoughtfully and strategically. Rather than following trends, the school carefully assesses which changes are lasting and meaningful. In an era of automated content generation, cultivating students' critical thinking skills is more essential than ever. The school continuously questions which fundamental competencies future decision-makers will need: What will change? What will remain? How should leaders prepare?
Educating Responsible and Critical Decision-Makers
This vigilance translates into a gradual redesign of course content, hands-on educational projects, hackathons, case-solving challenges, partnerships with startups. It also includes the ongoing upskilling of internal teams across the Data, Innovation-Experimentation, Digital Transformation departments, program management teams, and IT services.
ESSEC promotes a deeply humanistic vision of AI: one that serves both businesses and society at large. This calls for AI that is more inclusive, ethical, and environmentally sustainable. Digital frugality and the mindful use of digital resources is central to the discussions ESSEC conducts with its faculty and partners, aiming to develop lower-energy solutions aligned with urgent environmental challenges.
At the same time, the school relies on a strong network of partners to experiment with AI in real-world contexts, through collaborations with Onepoint, Accenture, high schools, startups, and European institutions. The objective is clear: to position ESSEC as a reference institution in the field of artificial intelligence, combining scientific rigor with visionary societal engagement.
"Like all business schools, ESSEC is navigating a pivotal moment. The knowledge economy is evolving rapidly, and educational models must adapt. To support this transformation, our ambition is to strengthen our leadership around responsible, useful, and innovative AI closely aligned with the expectations of the business world and major societal challenges," concludes Abdelmounaim Derraz, Director of the Metalab Institute for AI, Data and Society.
At ESSEC, artificial intelligence is not just a technology; it is a lens through which the future of education, business, and society is reimagined.
