Columbia Business School

Deloitte Global CEO Joseph Ucuzoglu visited Columbia Business School for a recent installment of the Distinguished Speaker Series, where he spoke about the importance of developing cross-functional skillsets, leading with humility and authenticity, and adapting to the age of AI, saying, "The ability to embrace the technology and view it as an opportunity, versus being resistant to it, is essential."

Shiva Rajgopal, the Roy Bernard Kester and T.W. Byrnes Professor of Accounting and Auditing, and Chair of the Accounting Division, moderated this discussion.

This event was presented in partnership with the CBS Retail and Luxury Goods Club and the Columbia University Leaders Series. https://business.columbia.edu/insights/deloitte-global-joe-ucuzoglu-ai-opportunity

"The need for massive upfront investments and the likelihood of significant job displacement imply remarkable parallels between the AI buildout and the green transition," argues Columbia Business School Senior Lecturer Gernot Wagner. Adding, In the field of AI as in climate, "the state has an important role to play in guiding market forces on behalf of the public good."

The AI Revolution Mirrors the Green Transition Adam Michael Bauer & Gernot Wagner consider the strategic and economic similarities, namely massive upfront investments and labor-market shifts.

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Lisa Liu, who received the Excellence in Refereeing Award from the Journal of Accounting Research. Learn more about this recognition here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1475-679x.70054

"Clarify your top values, keep the list handy, and consult it when you feel pressure to compromise," Kravis Professor of Business Paul Ingram told Forbes.

His research on prioritizing values shows that it's useful to move beyond generalities: Define your values and then rank them, so you know what matters to you most. That way, you can make difficult decisions by referring to your priorities, rather than through guesswork, he says. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rodgerdeanduncan/2026/06/11/how-to-clarify-your-values-and-lead-without-compromise/ #

How To Clarify Your Values And Lead Without Compromise For workplace (and personal) effectiveness, values must be more than wall posters in the employee cafeteria. Here are tips on making values come to life.

Columbia Business School recently hosted a symposium titled, "The MBA Transformed? AI and Beyond." Top academics from schools across the U.S. convened to discuss how, in the age of AI, grad students should prepare for a job market that's changing faster than new roles can be defined.

Check out 3 major takeaways from the day here:

In the age of AI, the MBA must go ‘one level deeper’ | Columbia Business School At The MBA Transformed? AI and Beyond symposium, Columbia Business School convened top academics to explore 3 ways AI reshapes business education.

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Bruno Pellegrino on receiving the Future of Finance Award from the American Finance Association. This award recognizes those who have written a paper that is both innovative and creative, and that challenges existing approaches in financial economics. Learn more here: https://afajof.org/news/future-of-finance-award-winners/

Better AI, better outcomes? Not necessarily.

Smarter algorithms don't always produce superior results, according to new research from Assistant Professor David Holtz. The difference between good results and great ones often comes down to what AI is optimized to achieve and whether those adjustments align with real impact.

Why better AI doesn't always mean better outcomes | Columbia Business School Users who adapt their prompting strategies can capture dramatically more value when generative AI tools improve, especially on tasks that require precision and control.

What is the true cost of fitting in?

When you downplay key parts of your identity at work, at school, or in social settings, the long-term effects can manifest as increased stress and a weakened sense of belonging, according to research by Associate Professor Michael Slepian and Assistant Professor Derek Brown.

Affirming who you are, by contrast, may be critical to long-term well-being. https://business.columbia.edu/insights/hidden-cost-fitting-in-at-work

Congrats to Assistant Professor Wei Cai on receiving the Outstanding Discussion Award from the American Accounting Association! This award recognizes those who provide outstanding discussions of papers presented at the FARS Midyear Meeting.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4e7VHza

Congrats to Assistant Professor Sehwa Kim on receiving the Midyear Meeting Outstanding Discussion Award from the American Accounting Association!

The award recognizes those whose insights meaningfully enhanced the session by advancing the conversation and contributing to the overall quality of the conference.

Learn more here: https://aaahq.org/FARS/Awards/Outstanding-Discussion