Latest news with #Wharton
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
It's not just Gen Z: This baby-boomer bank CEO says his MBA was a waste—and the skills he learned have ‘degraded, degraded, degraded' since college
CEO of the $26 billion bank Standard Chartered, Bill Winters, admits that his MBA was 'a waste of time,' and that the skills he learned at college have 'degraded, degraded, degraded' over the last 40 years. The executive says that soft skills like communication, curiosity, and empathy are more important as AI takes over grunt technical work. A LinkedIn careers exec agrees that human touch is the new in-demand talent capability. Attending college has long been seen as a rite of passage for success, but now student-loan-ridden Gen Z is calling their worth into question. They're not alone. The CEO of $26 billion bank Standard Chartered has just admitted that his time at Wharton Business School wasn't necessary. 'I studied international relations and history. I got an MBA later, but that was a waste of time,' Bill Winters told Bloomberg in a recent interview. 'I learned how to think at university, and for the 40 years since I left university, those skills have been degraded, degraded, degraded.' The banking chief executive may hold degrees from Colgate University and the University of Pennsylvania, but getting an Ivy League degree doesn't equate to being a valuable worker. Winters says that AI has had a major impact on the relevance of skills; now that chatbots can compile documents, create meeting slideshows, and even write code, many hard capabilities like software engineering skills once seen as a career gold mine are now being rendered redundant. Instead, human soft skills like curiosity, communication, and critical thinking are incredibly important in leadership and work, according to the 63-year-old CEO. And those are skills that don't require a college degree to pick up. In discussing the skills of tomorrow and what advice he has for young people, the Standard Chartered CEO says that soft skills are making a 'comeback' thanks to AI—which can already rival professionals with PhDs. 'The technical skills are being provided by the machine, or by very competent people in other parts of the world who have really nailed the technical skills at a relatively low cost,' Winters said. One key soft skill that's missing, Winters suggests, is real human connection—and AI is actually making communication worse, not better. It's become so bad that managers are complaining that Gen Z candidates can't hold a conversation without a chatbot, and begging them not to use them in job applications. 'I really think in the age of AI, that it's critical that you know how to think and communicate,' Winters continued. 'Not communicate better than ChatGPT, but actually, I'm going to go back to curiosity and empathy.' While the banking CEO admits that some degree of hard skills are still needed, they'll only continue to wane in importance as AI takes over more workplace functions. As technology takes over all the heavy lifting, people will have to increasingly engage their human expertise on the job. 'Of course, technical skills are required at some level, but less and less as the machines take out,' Winters said. Fortune reached out to Standard Chartered for comment. While some CEOs like OpenAI's Sam Altman still advise young people to learn up on AI tools, there's growing urgency for soft skills across industries. The number one in-demand skill that companies wanted out of employees last year was good communication, according to a LinkedIn study. And the employment platform's chief economic opportunity officer, Aneesh Raman, echoed that AI has renewed a need for communication, empathy, and critical listening. Plus, it's not just Gen Z grads who will need to practice talking in the mirror to get the job. Emotional intelligence has even become more important when assessing for management hires too. This perhaps explains why staffers across the board want training with these skills; employees ranked teamwork (65%), communication (61%), and leadership (56%) as the most valuable when it comes to training workplace skills, according to a 2024 study from Deloitte. Technical skills like coding or data analysis were ranked lower, at 54%. This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ChatGPT harms ‘diversity of thought' during brainstorms, study finds
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. Artifical intelligence has been shown to help generate ideas, but there's a tradeoff, according to a new study out of the Mack Institute for Innovation Management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Authors of the study — Mack Institute fellow Lennart Meincke, Wharton professor Gideon Nave, and Mack Institute co-director Christian Terwiesch — found that while ChatGPT can enhance the creativity of individual ideas, it reduces diversity of thought within a group's ideas. That element can be the key to successful brainstorming. For example, participants were asked to invent toys using a brick and a fan. Among those using ChatGPT, 94% of the ideas they generated shared overlapping concepts, with nine participants independently giving their toy the same name, 'Build-a-Breeze Castle.' By contrast, human-generated ideas were completely unique, the study found. Overall, across five experiments, ChatGBT-assisted brainstorming sessions consistently produced narrower sets of ideas, according to the researchers. The findings highlight how overly relying on gen AI 'can limit the breadth of perspectives, even when individual ideas seem original,' a media release stated. In the employment context, over-reliance on AI tools is a familiar theme among 'the wild west mentality,' as one organizational psychologist dubbed it, of businesses racing to embrace the technology without being fully aware of how to implement it or the implications of doing so in its current form. But the human factor is still crucial. Both formal studies and individual anecdotes make clear that employers will likely face unwelcome setbacks by not taking it into account. For instance, almost 8 in 10 U.S. job seekers believe generative AI is appropriate during the hiring process for drafting resumes and cover letters and creating mock interview questions, according to an April report from Express Employment Professonals and The Harris Poll. On the other hand, 87% of the 1,000 job seekers surveyed said it's also important that humans — not bots — interview job candidates, arguing AI can't effectively vet candidates for soft skills such as cultural fit and attitude. The attitude is appearing across social media as well. 'If they don't have the decency to interview you face to face, they aren't worth your time,' one commenter said in response to a viral TikTok video of a robot conducting a glitched interview. Rushing to replace head count with AI may also lead to regrets, according to a recent survey by organizational design and planning software platform Orgvue. More than half of the business leaders who did so admitted they made the wrong decision, many confessing they didn't know which roles would benefit most from AI, the survey found. Productivity gains that AI promises require a partnership between people and machines — and intentional upskilling, Orgvue's CEO emphasized. Meanwhile, the authors of the Mack Institute study offer this tip for leaders seeking to boost team innovation and creativity: 'In real-world problem-solving, the true value of brainstorming stems from the diversity of ideas rather than multiple voices repeating similar thoughts,' they said. 'As original as transforming a tennis racket and a garden hose into a sprinkler may be, successful brainstorming would yield a mosaic of unique perspectives – not just a lineup of sprinklers,' the authors added. Recommended Reading Is the learning industry facing disruption — again?
Economic Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
'He went to Wharton, I studied at UCLA': Sunjay Kapur's widow Priya admits ignoring red flags in her 1st marriage to entrepreneur Vikram Chatwal in viral video. A look at her qualifications
Priya's Reflections on Her First Marriage Courage in Separation and Custody Battle Marriage to Sunjay Kapur and Their Family Life Who is Priya Sachdev Kapur? Industrialist Sunjay Kapur 's unexpected passing on June 12, 2025, sent shockwaves through both personal and professional circles. He suffered a fatal heart attack while playing polo in London, a city he often visited. The tragic incident came as a massive blow to his family, friends, and associates. As condolences continue to flood in, attention has also turned to his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur , who now faces the future as his widow. Despite generally maintaining a private life, Priya's personal history is once again under media scrutiny, particularly her first marriage to American businessman Vikram Chatwal Just three months before Sunjay's death, Priya had spoken in an emotional interview with Kin and Kindness about her first marriage. Those conversations have resurfaced and are now gaining renewed attention online. She described her former husband, Vikram Chatwal, as someone who, at the time, seemed like an ideal partner. Both came from academically and professionally accomplished backgrounds—he studied at Wharton and worked for Morgan Stanley, while Priya had pursued mathematics at UCLA and had academic ties with the London School of Economics. To the outside world, they seemed like a perfect match."My ex-husband ticked all the boxes… He went to Wharton and worked at Morgan Stanley. I did mathematics at UCLA, a double major with UCLA and LSE… So I thought, This is a perfect match," she said. 'You know how you do your career path, but it doesn't always work. I thought I had it all right… but I guess I chose wrong..." she Priya admitted that cracks began to appear not long after they were married. During her pregnancy, around the 15th to 20th week, she began to realise that their relationship was not what she had hoped. Despite this, she chose to remain in the marriage for some time, driven by a desire to give it every chance to succeed—for herself and for her unborn child. But after five years, she made the difficult choice to separate, prioritising her and her daughter's emotional health and recalled the pain of that period but also acknowledged the emotional strength she discovered during her separation. She recounted how even her ex-in-laws expressed regret for how she was treated, apologising for not appreciating the sacrifices she had made. That moment, she felt, was a small but meaningful affirmation of her decision. She also faced a prolonged custody dispute, which she ultimately won. The divorce was officially finalized in 2011."My ex-in-laws called me apologising… I wasn't valued or appreciated for the sacrifices I made. That was one victory," she later, in 2017, Priya married Sunjay Kapur. The couple welcomed a son, Azarias, and had built a seemingly stable and quiet life together until his sudden passing disrupted Sachdev Kapur is a Delhi-born socialite and model. She is the daughter of prominent car dealer Ashok Sachdev. Academically, she holds a degree in mathematics and business management from University College London (UCL). Her professional journey began in the entertainment industry in the early 2000s, with several high-profile ad campaigns, including one for Lux Body Wash alongside Kareena she had a brief stint in films, with a minor role in the 2005 movie Neal 'n' Nikki, she transitioned into finance soon after. According to her LinkedIn profile, she previously worked as a financial analyst at Credit Suisse and now serves as the chairman and managing director of Aureus Investment As she grieves the loss of her husband, Priya Sachdev Kapur finds herself in the public eye once more—this time, as a woman navigating profound loss and an uncertain new chapter.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
'He went to Wharton, I studied at UCLA': Sunjay Kapur's widow Priya admits ignoring red flags in her 1st marriage to entrepreneur Vikram Chatwal in viral video. A look at her qualifications
Industrialist Sunjay Kapur 's unexpected passing on June 12, 2025, sent shockwaves through both personal and professional circles. He suffered a fatal heart attack while playing polo in London, a city he often visited. The tragic incident came as a massive blow to his family, friends, and associates. As condolences continue to flood in, attention has also turned to his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur , who now faces the future as his widow. Despite generally maintaining a private life, Priya's personal history is once again under media scrutiny, particularly her first marriage to American businessman Vikram Chatwal . Priya's Reflections on Her First Marriage Just three months before Sunjay's death, Priya had spoken in an emotional interview with Kin and Kindness about her first marriage. Those conversations have resurfaced and are now gaining renewed attention online. She described her former husband, Vikram Chatwal, as someone who, at the time, seemed like an ideal partner. Both came from academically and professionally accomplished backgrounds—he studied at Wharton and worked for Morgan Stanley, while Priya had pursued mathematics at UCLA and had academic ties with the London School of Economics. To the outside world, they seemed like a perfect match. "My ex-husband ticked all the boxes… He went to Wharton and worked at Morgan Stanley. I did mathematics at UCLA, a double major with UCLA and LSE… So I thought, This is a perfect match," she said. 'You know how you do your career path, but it doesn't always work. I thought I had it all right… but I guess I chose wrong..." she added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo However, Priya admitted that cracks began to appear not long after they were married. During her pregnancy, around the 15th to 20th week, she began to realise that their relationship was not what she had hoped. Despite this, she chose to remain in the marriage for some time, driven by a desire to give it every chance to succeed—for herself and for her unborn child. But after five years, she made the difficult choice to separate, prioritising her and her daughter's emotional health and safety. Courage in Separation and Custody Battle Priya recalled the pain of that period but also acknowledged the emotional strength she discovered during her separation. She recounted how even her ex-in-laws expressed regret for how she was treated, apologising for not appreciating the sacrifices she had made. That moment, she felt, was a small but meaningful affirmation of her decision. She also faced a prolonged custody dispute, which she ultimately won. The divorce was officially finalized in 2011. "My ex-in-laws called me apologising… I wasn't valued or appreciated for the sacrifices I made. That was one victory," she recounted. Marriage to Sunjay Kapur and Their Family Life Years later, in 2017, Priya married Sunjay Kapur. The couple welcomed a son, Azarias, and had built a seemingly stable and quiet life together until his sudden passing disrupted everything. Who is Priya Sachdev Kapur? Priya Sachdev Kapur is a Delhi-born socialite and model. She is the daughter of prominent car dealer Ashok Sachdev. Academically, she holds a degree in mathematics and business management from University College London (UCL). Her professional journey began in the entertainment industry in the early 2000s, with several high-profile ad campaigns, including one for Lux Body Wash alongside Kareena Kapoor. Although she had a brief stint in films, with a minor role in the 2005 movie Neal 'n' Nikki, she transitioned into finance soon after. According to her LinkedIn profile, she previously worked as a financial analyst at Credit Suisse and now serves as the chairman and managing director of Aureus Investment . As she grieves the loss of her husband, Priya Sachdev Kapur finds herself in the public eye once more—this time, as a woman navigating profound loss and an uncertain new chapter.
Entrepreneur
2 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Standard Chartered CEO: Wharton MBA Was a 'Waste of Time'
Bill Winters, the CEO of 160-year-old bank Standard Chartered, says that the MBA he earned from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business was a "waste of time" — but the humanities undergraduate degree he received from Colgate University was more worth it. In an interview that aired earlier this week, Bloomberg's Francine Lacqua asked Winters, 63, what he would recommend for young people to study. Winters responded by saying that he studied international relations and history as an undergraduate, graduating in 1983. He recommended those fields, stating that majoring in those areas taught him "how to think." But his MBA from Wharton in 1988 was unnecessary, he said. "I got an MBA later, but that was a waste of time," Winters told Bloomberg. "I learned how to think at university. For the 40 years since I left university, those skills have been degraded, degraded, degraded." Related: Goldman Sachs CIO Says Coders Should Take Philosophy Classes — Here's Why Winters explained that critical thinking skills are "coming back" and becoming more important in the workforce now because AI is taking over tasks on the technical side. "I really think in the age of AI that it's critical that you know how to think and communicate," Winters said. He clarified that communication doesn't mean to act like ChatGPT and churn out answers, but to know an audience and anticipate their needs with curiosity and empathy. Technical skills are being needed "less and less," Winters said. Bill Winters. Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images Winters started his career at JPMorgan in 1983, rising over nearly three decades to become the co-CEO of JPMorgan's investment bank. He was considered a potential successor to JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, but was ousted by Dimon in October 2009. He started his own fund management business, Renshaw Bay, in 2011 and joined Standard Chartered as CEO in 2015. Related: Using ChatGPT? AI Could Damage Your Critical Thinking Skills, According to a Microsoft Study Winters isn't the only executive encouraging the study of the humanities. Goldman Sachs' Chief Information Officer, Marco Argenti, wrote in a post in the Harvard Business Review last year that engineers should take philosophy classes in addition to standard engineering courses. That's the advice he gave his college-age daughter who was thinking about what to study. Meanwhile, big tech companies are rapidly adopting AI in their operations as the technology sweeps over technical skills. AI generates about 30% of new code at Google and Microsoft, and up to half of software development within the next year at Meta. "Vibe coding," or having AI code entire apps and projects based on prompts, is also on the rise. Even Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated earlier this month that he had used AI coding assistants to "vibe code" a webpage in his spare time.
