Wharton School Introduces AI-Focused MBA Major and Undergraduate Concentration for Fall 2025
Image Credit: Jacky Lee
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania will launch a new MBA major and undergraduate concentration named Artificial Intelligence for Business starting in Fall 2025. This curriculum update responds to the growing influence of AI in the business world, aiming to equip students with skills to navigate this evolving landscape.
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Curriculum Structure and Key Courses
The AI for Business programs are built on two pillars: technical understanding and conceptual impacts. The technical pillar includes courses on machine learning, data science, and deep learning, with “Foundations of Deep Learning” as a core class introducing students to neural networks and generative AI. The conceptual pillar addresses ethical, economic, and social issues, anchored by a required ethics course, “Big Data, Big Responsibilities: Toward Accountable Artificial Intelligence”. This course, co-led by Professor Kevin Werbach, explores responsible AI development and governance. Additional electives cover topics like marketing, data mining, neuroscience, and fintech, allowing students to tailor their education. The MBA major requires 4 credit units, while the undergraduate concentration is a specialized track within the Bachelor of Science in Economics.
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Integration with Existing Curriculum
Wharton is updating content across its existing courses to reflect AI’s growing role. For example, courses in statistics, operations, and marketing now incorporate AI-related material, such as machine learning in statistics and AI-driven analytics in marketing. The AI for Business major and concentration are jointly administered by the Statistics and Data Science Department and the Operations, Information and Decisions Department, with faculty advisors Professor Prasanna Tambe (Operations, Information and Decisions) and Professor Giles Hooker (Statistics and Data Science) guiding development.
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AI and Analytics Initiative and Resources
Launched in May 2024, the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative supports the new programs by fostering AI research, industry collaboration, and open-source AI resource development. A notable feature is the provision of ChatGPT Enterprise licenses to all full-time and executive MBA students since Fall 2024, a first-of-its-kind partnership with OpenAI. The initiative also unveiled the Accountable AI Lab in January 2025, which focuses on AI governance, regulation, and ethics, directly informing the curriculum. Two funds—AI Research Fund for faculty research and Education Innovation Fund for curricular innovation—support faculty exploration of AI’s business applications and classroom integration.
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Broader Context and Significance
The introduction of the AI for Business major and concentration reflects the rising demand for AI skills, which has surged since 2010, particularly after the 2022 launch of ChatGPT, with 27% of CFO job listings now mentioning AI. Wharton’s curriculum addresses this by balancing technical expertise with ethical considerations, preparing students to tackle AI’s challenges in business settings. The programs also align with broader trends, as AI continues to shape industries globally, such as finance and healthcare.
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Faculty and Leadership Insights
Wharton Dean Erika James announced the AI for Business major and concentration, emphasizing their role in preparing students for an AI-driven future. Eric Bradlow, Vice Dean of AI & Analytics, noted the urgency of practical AI knowledge, stating in a press release, “We are at a critical turning point where practical AI knowledge is urgently needed”. Faculty like Giles Hooker, who advises on technical courses, and Kevin Werbach, who leads the ethics curriculum, ensure the curriculum remains cutting-edge, combining technical depth with ethical foresight.
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Source: Business Insider, Wharton School
