ESSCA Business School’s director Jean Charroin believes students who master artificial intelligence will have a clear edge in the job market by 2030. The French institution is expanding in Málaga, aiming to attract 500 students annually and reshape business education for the digital era.
When ESSCA Business School opened its new campus in Málaga, the move was more than a geographic expansion. For Jean Charroin, the school’s director general, it was a strategic step to prepare students for a future where artificial intelligence is not just a tool, but a core professional skill. Charroin is convinced that by 2030, graduates who can actively work with AI will have a significant advantage in the global job market.
Charroin argues that artificial intelligence is already transforming how companies operate and how knowledge is assessed. He insists that students must go beyond using AI as a search engine. Instead, they need to learn how to develop AI agents, integrate them into business processes, and understand their impact on decision-making. According to Charroin, these abilities will soon be as essential as traditional management skills in fields like finance, marketing, and strategy.
Málaga’s Unique Appeal
ESSCA’s decision to establish its Spanish campus in Málaga was driven by the city’s growing reputation as a technology hub. Charroin points out that while Madrid and Barcelona are crowded with internationally accredited business schools, Málaga offers a less saturated environment with strong international connectivity, economic growth, and a thriving tech ecosystem—especially in cybersecurity. This, he says, adds unique value to the school’s educational project.
The Málaga campus is ESSCA’s third international site, following Budapest and Shanghai. The school has started with French-language programs but plans to adapt its curriculum to the Spanish university system, offering a four-year degree instead of the three-year model used in France.
AI’s Impact on Youth Employment
Charroin predicts that the influence of artificial intelligence on employment will be felt well before 2030. He notes that while many organizations are slowly adapting, the long-term impact of AI will be far-reaching. For students, simply knowing how to use AI is not enough—they must be able to collaborate with intelligent systems and understand their broader implications.
He emphasizes that business education must evolve. Future graduates will need to combine traditional management knowledge with the ability to work alongside AI, making this hybrid skillset a decisive factor in employability. Charroin believes this shift will separate those who thrive in the new economy from those left behind.
The French Model: Theory, Practice, and Critical Thinking
ESSCA’s educational approach blends academic rigor, real-world business experience, and critical thinking. Charroin stresses that the goal is not just to help students find jobs, but to prepare them for leadership and responsible decision-making. The French model combines a strong theoretical foundation with classes taught by industry professionals, and students gain substantial work experience before graduation. In master’s programs, internships can last up to a year and a half.
ESSCA also stands out as a non-profit institution, which, according to Charroin, allows it to reinvest resources into academic quality, research, and student experience, rather than focusing on investor returns.
Growth and Graduate Success
The first year in Málaga saw a modest start with 12 international students, but ESSCA expects to enroll over 45 in the next intake. By 2030, the school aims to reach 500 students annually, with two-thirds being international and the rest participating in short-term exchanges.
Graduate employability remains a key strength. Charroin reports that nearly 90% of ESSCA students secure a job within three months of graduation, and about 70% land positions that match their career goals.
As the role of artificial intelligence in business accelerates, ESSCA’s bet on Málaga and its focus on AI-driven education may offer a glimpse of how European business schools are adapting to a rapidly changing world.
