Today’s business environment is under pressure to undergo rapid digital transformation. According to a recent survey by the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) from April 2026, AI tools are already used in Slovakia by 78% of the population, representing an almost fourfold increase over the past two years.
Although most Slovaks feel informed, the survey revealed a deep gap between subjective perception and actual competence—for example, the ability to identify AI-generated content is critically low. At the same time, concerns are growing about the dehumanization of relationships and the loss of one’s own creativity.
That’s why Baťa Management School is integrating the topic of artificial intelligence directly into the Baťa management system this year. This isn’t a short-term trend, but a search for synergy between efficient algorithms and proven management logic.
We spoke about how to succeed in these dynamic times with the academic guarantor from Tomas Bata University in Zlín (UTB), Prof. Dr. Ing. Drahomíra Pavelková.
AI as a tool to eliminate routine
In Baťa Management School’s program, AI is not presented as a threat, but as a tool to unlock human potential. Prof. Pavelková builds on a key Baťa thesis: “If we want to build a company, we must first build people.”
While the IVO survey shows that 82% of users see time savings as AI’s main benefit, it also revealed that 76% of Slovaks fear the “stunting” of their own creativity. Prof. Pavelková responds to these concerns clearly:
“Artificial intelligence, as we see it, is not a replacement for humans. It’s a tool that frees people from routine tasks. Industry experts in the program will show concrete directions in technological development and the application of AI in company processes and team leadership. The Baťa framework gives these innovations an ethical dimension and a clear strategic direction.”
A strategic skill: Analysis, responsibility, and action
The IVO survey identified an alarming trend: as many as 61% of employees use AI in a “grey zone” without clear employer rules. This confirms the need for systematic leadership education. BMŠ’s most important goal is to equip participants with the ability to transform their company immediately and safely.
The key methodology remains the Baťa principle: Situation analysis – taking responsibility – action. Managers learn to identify “bottlenecks” in their business. According to Prof. Pavelková, graduates value most the “simplification of complex things” and a return to clear, understandable logic.
The goal is for participants to be able to bring order to their company as soon as Monday after the course and return to the essence—serving the customer and caring for colleagues.
Connecting global trends with Baťa stability
The selection of lecturers is built on a functional contrast. David Pavlík, a technology leader with global experience, brings a perspective on how technology is changing the global market. Gabriela Končitíková, Director of the Tomáš Baťa Foundation, anchors these innovations in Baťa philosophy.
“While technology delivers speed, Baťa philosophy provides direction and stability. This combination prevents modernization from turning into chaos,” says Prof. Pavelková. The lectures remind us that Baťa predicted automation, but warned that technical progress would increase demands on people’s ability to create and take responsibility.
The practical implementation of these principles in companies’ everyday life is led by lecturers Karin Fuentesová, Radka Šušková, and Miroslav Marek.
BMŠ works as an interactive platform. The program creates a safe environment where managers can openly discuss real problems in their companies. It’s not passive listening, but an analysis of their own topics under the guidance of experts.
Zlín as the center of the Baťa mindset
Zlín is not just a backdrop, but an important part of the whole experience. The city’s architecture and history give participants the necessary perspective and a sense of continuity. This year, the school also takes place during the Zlín Film Festival, so participants will experience the city at its most vibrant.
The vision for the coming years is to strengthen BMŠ as an incubator for a modern “Baťa mindset”. “We want to continue running the school as a platform for sharing the knowledge of top experts. Our goal is managers who won’t just manage spreadsheets, but will build systems that are orderly and resilient to crises,” Prof. Pavelková concludes.
Do you want to introduce modern order into your company and use AI’s potential strategically and safely? You can find applications for the current Baťa Management School cohort directly on the website.
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TEXT: Natália Stašíková
PHOTO: Baťa Management School
