Dunton Family Dean David De Cremer recently stepped out of his administrative role and into the classroom to teach first-year D'Amore-McKim School of Business MBA students.
Sharing insights from his book, The Al-Savvy Leader: Nine Ways to Take Back Control and Make Al Work, De Cremer delivered an engaging lecture that explored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (Al) in modern business leadership.
“What a feeling! Had a blast teaching our first-year MBA students,” said De Cremer. “I enjoyed the energy, the questions, the laughs, and the interaction. As a dean, you don't always have the time to teach, so when it happens, it's always a treat.”
De Cremer emphasized the importance of balancing business expertise with technical understanding, framing Al not as a strategy itself but as a powerful tool to enhance business decisions.. “Al can only make decisions based on relevant information and prompts—not real-life experiences. Humans make decisions; Al assists,” De Cremer explained, encouraging students to understand both Al's potential and its limitations.
The session sparked lively discussions, including one on the readiness of workplaces to integrate Al and the cultural shifts necessary for successful adoption. De Cremer highlighted the need for leadership to guide this transformation, ensuring Al augments human efforts rather than replacing them. “Where do you need Al, and where don't you? That's a business decision, not a technology decision,” he explained.
Another thought-provoking moment came when students asked about Al's potential role in sustainability. De Cremer challenged them to think critically about how they could carry D'Amore-McKim's mission of responsible business leadership into their careers. “You are the future leaders who will ask these questions and drive impactful change,” he said.
The lecture left students inspired, with many reflecting on how Al can be a force multiplier in their careers. De Cremer's call to become “Al-savvy leaders” resonated with the class, as he urged them to develop the critical skills necessary to navigate the complexities of Al-driven business environments.