Business schools are recalibrating admissions and delivery as AI and online formats change candidate behavior. Admissions consultancies predict 2026 will be defined by tighter rules on AI use in applications and a wider embrace of video-based assessments to verify applicant voice and spontaneity. Schools are also deploying AI-assisted evaluation tools to flag homogenized essays. The online MBA landscape continues to validate career pivots: recent surveys for 2026 OMBA rankings show a meaningful share of online grads changed employers or industries postdegree. Programs that pair rigorous virtual instruction with robust career services are reporting stronger career gains for adult learners and pivoting professionals. For admissions directors, the urgent task is balancing AI detection with equitable evaluation while maintaining standards that surface real leadership potential and professional readiness.