Andreas Kaplan
Andreas Kaplan studies how artificial intelligence, social media, and virtual reality shape business and society. He studied business at the University of Munich and ESCP, earned a joint PhD in business administration at the University of Cologne and HEC Paris in 2006, and completed a Sorbonne habilitation in 2010. His early academic roles included research at Cologne, teaching at Sciences Po, and a marketing professorship at ESSEC; at ESCP, he became professor, provost, rector, and Paris dean. With Michael Haenlein, he published an AI history article in 2019, then wrote a 2022 book on AI, business, and civilization. Since 2023, he has served as President and Managing Director of Kühne Logistics University and Professor of Digital Transformation; his 2026 book examines virtual worlds, and he joined the GRLI board in April 2026.
- Now at
- Kühne Logistics University
- Works
- 138
- Citations
- 32,905
- h-index
- 36
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.
Timeline
-
1998–2010
A business and research education
He studies business at the University of Munich in 1998–1999 and completes an MSc in International Management at ESCP in 2002. He earns a joint PhD in business administration at the University of Cologne and HEC Paris in 2006, then completes a habilitation at Sorbonne in 2010.
-
2003–2010
Research fellow at Cologne
He works as a research fellow at the University of Cologne from 2003 to 2005. At Sciences Po, he teaches from 2006 to 2010; at ESSEC, he serves as a marketing professor from 2006 to 2008.
-
2008–2017
Professor and academic director
He becomes an ESCP marketing professor in 2008, directs Brand and Communications from 2012 to 2014, and serves as provost and dean for academic affairs from 2014 to 2017.
-
2017–2023
Rector in Berlin, dean in Paris
He becomes elected rector of ESCP Berlin in April 2017 and serves through March 2021. During his rectorate, ESCP develops MSc programs in Strategy and Digital Business and Sustainability Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He becomes dean of the Paris campus in 2021 and serves through January 2023.
-
2019
A history of artificial intelligence
With Michael Haenlein, he publishes “A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence: On the Past, Present, and Future of Artificial Intelligence” in California Management Review in 2019.
-
2022
Artificial intelligence, business, and civilization
In 2022, he publishes Artificial Intelligence, Business, and Civilization: Our Fate Made in Machines. The book explains AI’s development and considers its effects on business and civilization, including questions of regulation, employment, ethics, and education.
-
Since 2023
President of Kühne Logistics University
In 2023, he becomes President and Managing Director of Kühne Logistics University and Professor of Digital Transformation. His research studies AI, social media, and virtual reality.
-
2026
KLU president and GRLI board
In 2026, he publishes The Virtual Universe, a book that discusses artificial intelligence, blockchain, and extended reality. In April 2026, the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative appoints him to its board. He is KLU’s President and Managing Director and Professor of Digital Transformation.
Sources and credits
Photo: We have no published photo of Andreas Kaplan yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.
- Andreas Kaplan · KLU
- Andreas Kaplan · KLU
- Andreas Kaplan als Rektor an die ESCP Paris berufen
- Volume 61 Issue 4 | California Management Review
- Artificial Intelligence, Business and Civilization: Our Fate Made in Machines
- Publications by Andreas Kaplan
- KLU President Elected to the Board of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative