Why La Trobe is preparing leaders for an AI world
| 3 Min Read
Across the world, AI is becoming embedded into how businesses operate. It affects every discipline, from strategy and forecasting to customer experience, operations and decision-making.
Consequently, the conversation has moved beyond whether organisations should adopt AI. The real challenge now is ensuring leaders are prepared to lead organisations where people and AI work together.
“Successful organisations treat AI as a leadership priority. From the top down, they have leaders who can drive AI and have a clear understanding of problems and how to solve them so they can continue to generate business value.” – Patricia Haueiss, Managing Director LTU AI Institute
Why AI is different
Technology has always influenced how business operates: digital platforms changed how organisations engaged with customers; cloud computing revolutionised access to information and infrastructure. But while previous waves of technology changed specific business functions, what makes AI unique is that it is influencing every function simultaneously. As such, experts regard AI as an economic transformation comparable with some of the most significant shifts in history.
“AI is the biggest concentration of capital that we’ve ever seen. This is going to be a transformation of our economy, our society, and our organisations. It’s bigger than the steam engine. It’s bigger than the industrial revolution.” – Colin Higgins, Dean of La Trobe University’s Business School
Today, leaders face questions previous generations never encountered. When should decisions be human-led? Where should AI augment expertise? How should organisations manage accountability, governance and risk when AI is part of everyday workflows? These questions aren’t just about technology; they’re about leadership.
The leadership gap
Historically, business leadership focused on managing people, resources and processes, and while those skills remain imperative, today’s leaders must now understand how to integrate AI into these existing systems responsibly and effectively.
“In large organisations, AI adoption is fifty per cent tech adoption and fifty per cent cultural processes.” – Patricia Haueiss
“I like to think of the MBA like the conductor of an orchestra. To create beautiful music, we know we need all of those specialists working in time, working in concert to really bring the value of that collection of individuals together. And that’s what the MBA is all about: moving into that executive position with the ability to bring the people of an organisation together to drive performance.” – Colin Higgins
Preparing leaders for an AI-enabled future
Being AI-first is less about putting technology at the centre of business education and more about preparing leaders for a workforce in which AI is embedded across every aspect of organisational life.
“La Trobe is about being AI-first, but it’s not only about technology. AI underpins a fundamental transformation of our economy. Our goal is that every single graduate will be able to add value in terms of where organisations, communities, and the economy are going. This is about being job ready. It’s about value creation in the world that they’re entering.” – Colin Higgins
An MBA designed for AI-enabled organisations
At La Trobe, this philosophy has informed the development of an AI-first MBA designed for the realities of modern business. Rather than confining AI to a single subject or specialisation, AI capability is embedded throughout the course, which allows students to explore its impact across every core discipline of management.
Through industry-informed curriculum design, applied AI projects and insights from faculty and business leaders working at the forefront of AI, students develop the practical skills required to lead organisations where people, strategy and AI can operate together.
In summary, the organisations that thrive over the coming decade will do more than simply adopt AI. They will be led by people who can bring together people and AI to create lasting value.
Learn more about La Trobe’s Master of Business Administration course or get in touch with our team of Enrolment Advisors via (+61 3) 9917 3009.