Management graduates with AI skills in top demand among global recruiters, finds survey
New Delhi, June 30
A survey of corporate employers done by GMAC, the global body that conducts the GMAT exam for some of the top management schools worldwide, has shown that skills like AI and data interpretation are top draws among global recruiters.
The 2026 Corporate Recruiters Survey showed that employers value those graduates who understand AI tools and their application. However, it remains one of the skills that graduates are seen as least prepared to demonstrate, the survey found.
The survey saw participation from 621 corporate recruiters and hiring managers from staffing firms, with respondents from 39 countries.
The survey found that a third of the employers have replaced entry-level roles with AI. These roles span coding, data entry and customer services and were most prominent in technology and manufacturing sectors.
The survey revealed that compared to five years ago, more employers in Western Europe and Southeast and East Asia are willing to hire candidates who require additional documentation, while US employers are less likely to go for international hires.
US employers are willing to recruit international students for roles that are outside the country and not for the headquarters that are in the US. Four out of 10 US employers attributed the drop in stateside international hiring specifically to US government policies.
"As new student, work, and other visa policies and practices have been introduced, some U.S. employers appear to be repositioning how they hire international talent," the survey report stated.
Another major finding of the survey is the growing recognition of online courses among global employers, except in consultancy jobs. Around 61 per cent of employers now accept students from online courses and consider them as equals to those who pursued in-person degrees.
Employers are less likely to go for in-person and on-campus hiring as the trend is shifting towards more digital recruitment, the survey showed.
"As new student, work, and other visa policies and practices have been introduced, some U.S. employers appear to be repositioning how they hire international talent," the report stated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting how US employers are pulling back on international hiring due to visa policies. Meanwhile, Indian students are investing crores in US B-schools. Time to look closer at opportunities in Southeast Asia and Europe, or better yet, contribute to India's own growth story. At least our government is making strides in AI and tech infrastructure.
The part about online degrees gaining acceptance is reassuring. Many of us working professionals in India can't afford to quit jobs for full-time MBA. But note that consultancy jobs are still resistant - makes sense since networking is key there. For tech roles though, skills matter more than mode of study. Good trend overall!
Wait - one third of employers replaced entry-level roles with AI? This is concerning for fresh graduates. As a recent MBA, I see both opportunity and threat. We need to upskill continuously, but also worry about job displacement. The solution isn't just learning AI tools, but understanding how to combine them with human judgment. That's our edge.
As someone who hires management graduates in India, I completely agree with these findings. We're seeing candidates with basic AI literacy get multiple offers, while others struggle. The gap the survey mentions is real - many graduates can talk theory but can't actually apply AI tools. Our education system needs to focus more on practical training in data interpretation and AI.
I work for a US tech firm and can confirm the visa issues. But this is actually creating opportunities in India - many companies are hiring more locally for roles that used to be in the US. The AI skills demand is global, so Indian graduates with the right training
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