Chapman Business School Leaders Present at World Economic Forum in Davos

Chapman Business School Leaders Present at World Economic Forum in Davos

Dean Henrik Cronqvist and Helene Blanchette Shared Insights on the Future of Work and AI in Higher Education

Orange, Calif. – Two leaders from Chapman University’s George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics were invited to join global thought leaders to discuss the future of work and education at the Davos Lodge during the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

Dean Henrik Cronqvist and Helene Blanchette, the new director of the Schmid Center for International Business, each gave talks on how higher education institutions can evolve in an era defined by artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

Every year, the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting brings together global leaders from business, politics, and other sectors to address pressing issues and serves as a major hub for influencing policy and shaping discourse. This year’s theme was “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age.”

“Business schools play a pivotal role in developing tomorrow’s leaders, and we need to evolve to meet the realities of today where students are shifting from corporate careers to more flexible, purpose-driven opportunities in the gig economy,” said Cronqvist. “I presented a model where institutions help students build their portfolios through real-world experience, offer alumni lifelong access to classes beyond graduation, and leverage AI career coaching to help students navigate the job market.”

In her talk, Blanchette detailed how AI is quickly transforming higher education and urged institutions to prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce.

“AI has the potential to enhance learning, support mental health, and personalize education if we are mindful about the ethical risks and the dangers of over-reliance on technology,” said Blanchette. She called for increased cultivation of critical thinking skills when interfacing with AI and for fostering industry partnerships to ensure graduates have mastery of the technology and learn to manage a workforce that could include AI workers.

Chapman’s invitation to participate alongside the world’s most influential thought leaders underscores the university’s leadership in business education and its continued commitment to innovation. The college offers unmatched access to industry leaders and powerful networks in tech, entertainment, biotech and more. With world-class faculty, strong ties to Fortune 500 companies and a dedicated Career Center, the college equips students with real-world opportunities to turn academic success into thriving careers.

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About Chapman University

Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a nationally ranked private university in Orange, California, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Chapman serves nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students can choose from 123 areas of study within 11 colleges for a personalized education. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution. Students at Chapman learn directly from distinguished world-class faculty including Nobel Prize winners, MacArthur fellows, published authors and Academy Award winners. The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine. The university features the No. 4 film school and No. 66 business school in the U.S. Learn more about Chapman University: www.chapman.edu.

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