AI will not replace MBAs. It will redefine them: Interview with Nitish Jain, Founder & President, SP Jain Group on AI, Innovation, and Global Expansion in London and USA
In an era where AI is disrupting nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives, including education, SP Jain School of Global Management is taking bold steps to stay ahead. Leading this charge is the institute's proprietary AI Tutor, a personalised learning assistant designed to transform how students study, prepare for exams, and build real-world skills. “We’re not just talking about AI,” says Mr. Nitish Jain, Founder & President of the SP Jain Group. “We’ve built it, integrated it into our programs, and we’re using it to deliver a more relevant, future-ready education.”
In this freewheeling conversation with MBAUniverse.com, Mr. Jain spoke about how the SP Jain Group is reimagining business education through AI and shared insights into the group’s ongoing global expansion, from the progress of its London campus to the acquisition of California Miramar University in the United States and plans for the road ahead. Edited excerpts from this insightful interaction follow.
Q: Today, social media is full of stories on negative impact of AI on jobs. MBA is Dead, is a popular headline. What are your views?
A: As the saying goes: The king is dead. Long live the king! Indeed, the traditional MBA model, once the gold standard for business education, is undergoing a profound transformation in the age of AI and digital disruption. As industries rapidly evolve, outdated curricula that focus solely on traditional subjects like finance and marketing are struggling to stay relevant. The King is dead. Generic MBA programs that fail to integrate emerging technologies, data-driven decision-making, and industry-aligned skills are facing a decline, with many institutions witnessing decreasing enrollments and shrinking employer interest. The rise of AI-powered tools, automation, and new business paradigms has fundamentally shifted the skill sets that companies seek in MBA graduates.
However, just as one era ends, a new one emerges—Long live the King. Forward-thinking business schools, like ours, are reinventing the MBA, embracing AI and other emerging technologies to create cutting-edge, industry-ready programs. B-Schools that align their curriculum with real-world challenges and focus on global experiential learning will thrive in this new era. So, I believe that the MBA is not dead—it is rapidly evolving. Those who embrace change will lead the future of business education, while those who resist will be left behind.
Q: So how has SP Jain Global leveraged technology and AI?
A: We are an early adopter of various technologies into our curriculum and pedagogy. We've integrated AI technologies such as Generative AI and data analytics into our curriculum across multiple disciplines. We developed our Engaged Learning Online (ELO) platform a decade back, and in just a few short years, it emerged as a revolutionary online learning platform, recognised for its innovative approach to digital education.
Today, S P Jain Group and CMU have introduced a groundbreaking AI tutor technology. Developed in Silicon Valley, this personalized study aid works alongside expert faculty to deliver a comprehensive educational experience. The AI tutor offers 24/7 support tailored to each student's needs, creating customized education plans, providing instant feedback, and bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. There are many other such examples.
So, the world of learning has come a full circle. While we Indians were passive recipients of western knowledge for decades, by leveraging AI and Tech, our home-grown institution is offering cutting-edge MBA and UG programs in UK, Australia, Singapore, and Dubai. Our next stop is the US!
Q: Congratulations for expanding into the US market. What was the rationale, and what are the plans for near future...
A: Thank you. SP Jain Group has acquired California Miramar University (CMU), thus marking a strategic expansion into the United States. CMU has a campus in San Jose in Silicon Valley where it offers cutting-edge undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Artificial Intelligence, including an MBA and MS in Artificial Intelligence. These programs are accredited by the regulatory bodies in the US. California Miramar University, an AI-first institution, has been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into its curriculum and educational approach.
CMU campus, strategically located in San Jose, Silicon Valley, places students at the heart of technological innovation. This prime location offers proximity to world-leading tech companies, providing students with unparalleled opportunities for industry engagement and hands-on experience in AI and related fields. This strategic move strengthens the S P Jain Group's global presence, now offering students the opportunity to study across campuses in Singapore, Dubai, Sydney, India, London, and the United States. Additionally, students will have the option to graduate with a US degree soon.
Q: So, are there plans to launch SP Jain brand into the US market?
A: At the moment, our focus is on California Miramar University programs, which have the necessary regulatory approvals for the US market. We want to ensure that CMU programs are the best in their class. We may offer short courses and internship opportunities in the US campus to SP Jain Global students who are pursuing courses in other countries.
Q: SP Jain London School of Management started operations in 2024. How is the response…
A: At SP Jain London School of Management, we have made significant progress. Our location in Canary Wharf, the heart of London’s financial and business district, is truly exciting as it puts our students in the midst of all the action, within walking distance of major national and multinational corporations. We've been fortunate to have some exceptional local British and international faculty and staff join us. We have a diverse mix of undergraduate and postgraduate students on campus from the UK, India and many other countries. We are focussing on strengthening our corporate partnerships in London so that we can offer even more valuable opportunities for internships, projects, and career placements.
Q: What programs are you currently offering in the London campus?
A: We have a full suit of program covering Bachelor's Degrees, Master's Degrees and the MBA. In undergraduate courses, we are offering a BBA, BSc in Management and Technology and BSc in Data Science. In post graduate courses, we offer MSc in Global Business, MSc in Financial Technology and MiM in Family Managed Business. Finally, we offer Global MBA and Executive MBA in our London campus.
Q: In the past, all students graduated from your Australian Campus. How does London campus change it?
A: Yes, historically, all our students graduated with an Australian degree. However, with the establishment of our London campus, we now operate as two distinct entities: SP Jain School of Global Management, a registered Australian entity, and SP Jain London School of Management, a British business school that grants UK degrees.
Students who enrol at SP Jain School of Global Management can study across our campuses in Singapore, Mumbai, Dubai, and Sydney, ultimately graduating with an Australian degree. Conversely, students who choose to study at SP Jain London School of Management graduate with a UK degree.
However, despite operating as separate entities, both institutions have established extensive exchange and articulation agreements. These agreements enable students to take advantage of our global network by participating in study abroad programs and transferring credits seamlessly across our five locations.
With expansion into the US with CMU, the opportunities for students have only increased.
Q: SP Jain Global has completed 20 years. Looking back, did you imagine a global B-School with six campuses!
A: It has been an exciting since we got started in 2004 in Dubai. From the outset, we recognised that “if business is global, then business schools should also be global”. As we expanded our footprint over the years, our goal was to create an educational experience that enabled students to gain first-hand experience in diverse cultural settings. Students love our multi-country model that prepares them for global jobs and equips them to work effectively in global teams. And recruiters appreciate the ability of our graduates to adapt to new environments and fresh challenges. This has positioned us as a tier 1 school for many leading companies. We are happy with our journey.
Q: But has the recent expansion come at a wrong time, when President Trump has whipped de-globalization fears?
A: I believe that globalization is very powerful force that offers many benefits to the countries and their citizens. It allows countries and regions to focus on their strengths. It brings down the cost of products and services for citizens. Today, due to political reasons, there is a temporary slowdown, but you can’t stop globalization! So, I am very optimistic about the long-term future of trade and globalization.
Q: In the near term, do you anticipate substantial dip in Indian student mobility to the US and UK?
A: The fact of the matter is – all US, UK and Australian universities love Indian students! They are very talented, and are well paying customers. So, while there may be temporary issues, the incentives from getting international students from India and other locations are very powerful. Eventually, US and European universities will convince administrations to open doors for bright Indian students.
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