SKEMA Business School aims to transform higher education by integrating AI.
To achieve this ambition, the school decided to partner with Microsoft and leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot.
This integration has significantly enhanced productivity, improved efficiency and allowed teachers to dedicate more time to student engagement.
With 11,000 students from over 130 nationalities across seven global locations, SKEMA Business School is a leading institution in teaching and research. It is dedicated to nurturing committed talents who aim to transform the world sustainably. To maintain its leadership in education, empower its teaching staff and ensure students are well-prepared for the future, the school has embraced innovation by deploying AI into its learning program, launching a Microsoft x Skema Business School ”Generative AI for Good” chair and leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot.
AI is rapidly evolving, transforming both the education and business sectors. Job postings referencing generative AI have increased significantly in recent years, reflecting the growth in its usage and development. This trend underscores the need for schools and universities to embed AI into their strategies to prepare students for the future and stay ahead.
SKEMA Business School, a leader in higher education, quickly recognised this imperative.
Pierre-Paul Cavalié, Digital Director at SKEMA, confirms, “We saw AI as an extraordinary opportunity to lead, innovate and advance. We decided to leverage technological innovation to enhance the experience and success of both our students and faculty, ensuring they are well-equipped to thrive."
As a result, the school has committed to embedding AI at the heart of its educational and strategic initiatives.
Since 2020, SKEMA Business School has built its strategy around three key dimensions: Innovation, marked by the establishment of its centre in Montreal, Canada; Education, with the launch of the “SKEMA AI School for Business”; and Research, through the “SKEMA Centre for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI)”.
These initiatives were driven by a commitment to reshape traditional education and introduce entirely new methods through the integration of AI.
“We are committed to transforming how we educate the next generation, ensuring that our curriculum aligns with the rapid technological advancements,” says Florencio Lopez de Silanes, Professor of Finance and Associate Dean of Academic Strategy at SKEMA Business School.
“We are committed to transforming how we educate the next generation, ensuring that our curriculum aligns with the rapid technological advancements.”
Florencio Lopez de Silanes, Professor of Finance and Associate Dean of Academic Strategy, SKEMA Business School
At SKEMA Business School, the drive to embrace AI technology was not just about enhancing teaching methods but also about fostering greater operational efficiency across the institution.
Pierre-Paul Cavalié explains, “We recognised the transformative potential of generative AI and its ability to streamline daily tasks, improve collaboration and foster creativity.”
The leadership team quickly identified several areas within the school’s internal workflows that could be optimised, including document sharing, communication bottlenecks and meeting preparation. By adopting new technologies, SKEMA aimed to reduce inefficiencies, providing faculty and staff with the tools they needed to streamline administrative processes.
To achieve its ambitious goals of transforming education and driving company development, SKEMA Business School decided to collaborate with a partner that shared its vision for innovation and growth.
Wavestone, a global consulting firm specialising in IT, data, cybersecurity and sustainability services, emerged as the ideal partner. Guided by four core values - sustainable growth, a people-centric culture, social commitment and environmental impact - Wavestone was the perfect fit for SKEMA's AI ambitions.
Together, SKEMA and Wavestone developed a comprehensive adoption strategy, which included integrating AI across various academic programmes, research initiatives and administrative functions.
“Wavestone expertise definitely helped us define a clear roadmap for AI adoption,” explains Nathalie Hector, Innovation & Learner Experience Director and Comex Member.
Wavestone, a trusted Microsoft partner, recognised the potential of Microsoft’s technologies to enhance SKEMA’s operations while working closely with the school. As a result, Wavestone recommended Microsoft as the great solution to transform SKEMA’s workflows.
The school acquired 600 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences, implementing the technologies across all departments, including staff, faculty, administration and the executive committee (COMEX). The adoption was swift, with a focus on meeting the specific needs of various business lines, particularly in administrative tasks and teaching.
The driving force behind this transformation was SKEMA's CEO, who played a pivotal role in championing the integration of AI across the institution.
“We’re incredibly excited about the potential of Microsoft’s solutions to reshape how we work and teach,” says Nathalie Hector. “With Wavestone’s expertise and Microsoft’s powerful tools, we will change our workflows completely.”
“With Wavestone’s expertise and Microsoft’s powerful tools, we will change our workflows completely.”
Nathalie Hector, Innovation & Learner Experience Director and Comex Member, SKEMA Business School
To facilitate the smooth integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot, SKEMA Business School adopted a phased implementation approach in 2024, allowing staff and faculty to gradually embrace the new technology with the necessary support. The first phase introduced 20% of staff to Copilot through a pilot program, which aimed to build a community of 'Copilot Ambassadors.' These early adopters, passionate about technology, played a key role in promoting adoption and sharing insights across departments.
Alongside the pilot, SKEMA organised a series of training initiatives to familiarise users with the new tools. A Prompt Academy, weekly 'Copilot Cafes', specialised workshops and a dynamic Teams community provided opportunities for hands-on learning and peer collaboration. These efforts equipped staff and faculty to effectively leverage Copilot’s capabilities.
To meet both immediate and long-term needs, SKEMA also provided custom training programs that went beyond Copilot’s core functionalities. These programs covered essential aspects of Microsoft 365, including document archiving, data sharing, and cybersecurity, enabling staff to gain a deeper understanding of the full suite of tools.
SKEMA Business School has become the first institution in France to deploy Microsoft 365 Copilot.
From the outset, the results were remarkable. SKEMA quickly saw improvements in various areas, including greater efficiency in producing teaching materials, making data-driven decisions and accessing relevant information faster. The adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot inspired teams across departments to explore new ways to innovate and enhance their work.
“We’ve already seen an increase in productivity,” says Nathalie Hector. “The ability to generate teaching content quickly and accurately using AI has been a game-changer.”
The implementation of Microsoft 365 Copilot has significantly boosted productivity across SKEMA Business School. Teams now enjoy more efficient meetings, streamlined workflows and increased empowerment to focus on high-impact tasks.
"The impact on our daily operations has been immediate," says Pierre-Paul Cavalié. "We can now handle more complex projects, and the time saved on administrative tasks allows us to focus on what truly matters."
"Microsoft's AI tools have empowered staff to work more efficiently, enabling a significant productivity boost across the board," adds Nathalie Hector.
Pierre-Paul Cavalié underscores the broader impact: “AI has empowered staff to work more efficiently, enabling a significant productivity boost across the board. From administrative processes to teaching, Copilot helps us save time and energy, allowing us to focus on what truly drives innovation.”
Another key benefit of the implementation is that SKEMA Business School teaching staff can now dedicate more time to students, significantly enhancing the overall learning experience. With Copilot taking care of time-consuming administrative tasks, faculty members now have the flexibility to focus on individual student needs, provide personalised support and foster deeper engagement in the classroom.
“For us, the real value lies in how we can use the time saved to connect more deeply with students,” adds Nathalie Hector.
“It offers a level of personalised attention that would be impossible in traditional settings, ensuring that each student receives the support they need at the right moment in their learning process,” highlights Professor Frédéric Munier.
Pierre-Paul Cavalié emphasizes the potential of Copilot in refining the learning experience: “It enables enhanced feedback and corrections, elevating the learning process while preserving rigorous standards. We can offer more timely and personalised guidance, ensuring a deeper and more impactful educational experience.”
“Microsoft's AI tools have empowered staff to work more efficiently, enabling a significant productivity boost across the board.”
Nathalie Hector, Innovation & Learner Experience Director and Comex Member, SKEMA Business School
One of the most impactful areas of transformation at SKEMA Business School is the revolution in simulation-based learning. Previously, creating simulations for management training, negotiations, and other practical scenarios involved high costs, extensive resources, and the collaboration of multiple professors and developers. Today, Copilot has made these simulations more scalable, cost-effective, and accessible to faculty and students alike.
“As a professor, I can now design impactful simulations quickly and affordably,” says Pierre-Paul Cavalié. “Copilot enables us to scale simulations for complex business situations - something that once required large teams and significant investment. This advancement is a game-changer, offering both educational and operational efficiencies.”
In addition to enhancing simulations, Copilot also plays a key role in personalised tutoring. With a student body exceeding 12,000, providing tailored academic support at scale has always been a challenge. Copilots bridge this gap, offering personalised guidance on specific subjects, exam preparation, and even career development.
“Copilot serves as a positive, supplementary coach, supporting and complementing professors rather than replacing them,” says Pierre-Paul Cavalié. “Professors continue to provide the intellectual rigor, but Copilot offers additional support, helping students engage more effectively with challenging material and providing the individualised attention they need to succeed.”
Recognising the transformative potential of AI, SKEMA Business School seized the opportunity to drive innovation. The result is the "SKEMA AI Tutor," a cutting-edge educational tool designed to enhance the student learning experience. Developed using Microsoft technologies, the AI tutor harnesses the power of AI to offer personalised, interactive learning support tailored to each student's needs.
“It offers a level of personalised attention that would be impossible in traditional settings, ensuring that each student receives the support they need at the right moment in their learning process,” highlights Pierre-Paul Cavalié.
“Copilot serves as a positive, supplementary coach, supporting and complementing professors rather than replacing them.”
Pierre-Paul Cavalié, Digital Director, SKEMA Business School
To further accelerate the usage of AI in its courses and drive organisational transformation, SKEMA Business School has announced the creation of the “Generative AI for Good” Chair in collaboration with Microsoft. These resources complement the concepts and applications already embedded in SKEMA’s curriculum, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills needed for the future.
A key area where this is already making an impact is in the study of geopolitics. AI tutors are being developed to provide students with personalised support in understanding complex geopolitical issues. These AI tutors integrate additional content, helping students engage with the material more deeply.
"AI tutors help students digest and interact with the wealth of resources our professors generate," says Pierre-Paul Cavalié. “Our professors, often intellectuals who publish in academic journals, may produce extensive material that students might not always have the time or inclination to engage with. AI tutors step in to help students navigate this content more effectively, enhancing their understanding and participation.”
This approach reflects SKEMA's commitment to ensuring that its students not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also gain the practical insights needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
In addition to the “Generative AI for Good” Chair, SKEMA Business School continues to support its AI-driven transformation with a suite of Microsoft products, including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and a range of Microsoft Defender security solutions. These tools provide a comprehensive platform for students, faculty, and staff to enhance productivity, collaborate effectively, and ensure data security as they embrace AI in every aspect of the institution’s operations.
Building on the positive results of its AI initiatives, SKEMA Business School established a central AI Committee to drive adoption across the institution. A key objective is the creation of an AI Centre of Excellence, bringing together experts to accelerate AI integration.
The school is now aiming to expand its AI initiatives further, with plans to scale up to 1,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences. The enthusiasm for this transformation is palpable, and the IT department is particularly eager to see how AI will continue to transform SKEMA’s operations.
Dominique Rivet, CIO of SKEMA, comments on the strategic commitment: “This effort is significant, particularly in terms of budget, but it reflects the scale of our ambition. In the education sector, administrative staff often aren’t prioritised for tech adoption - but we are taking the opposite approach. We believe that an internal revolution is necessary to build the future of teaching and learning.”
SKEMA Business School is committed to accelerating its transformation and enriching the educational experience by harnessing the power of AI. One key initiative is the deployment of the SKEMA AI Tutor. By the 2025 academic year, the SKEMA AI Tutor will be expanded to all courses across the school, powered by Microsoft’s AI solutions.
In addition to its educational initiatives, SKEMA is also focusing on AI-driven research. The institution aims to provide every researcher and educator with access to Microsoft 365 Copilot, empowering them to leverage AI to streamline their work and boost productivity.
SKEMA is also at the forefront of promoting digital responsibility through its “Digital (& Data) for Good” initiative. With digital technologies, particularly AI, transforming almost every sector, SKEMA aims to cultivate a culture of digital responsibility that supports sustainable development.
“We want to establish a new way of learning - Skema learning - that will be recognised globally by students, businesses, academic institutions and research organisations,” says Pierre-Paul Cavalié. “SKEMA is committed to developing new methodologies and integrating innovative technologies to address the societal challenges of today.”
Nathalie Hector concludes: “The transformation we are leading is not just about technology - it’s about redefining how we work, teach, and learn. AI is an incredible enabler, but it requires a structured, thoughtful approach. By focusing on governance, engagement, and impact, we are ensuring that AI adoption at SKEMA is not just widespread, but meaningful.”
“SKEMA is committed to developing new methodologies and integrating innovative technologies to address the societal challenges of today.”
Pierre-Paul Cavalié, Digital Director, SKEMA Business School
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