AI Strategy and Leadership Program: Thriving in the New World of AI
Reimagine Leadership with AI and Data Strategy
Program Overview: AI Strategy and Leadership Program
The AI Strategy and Leadership Program: Thriving in the New World of AI from MIT xPRO equips senior technology leaders and aspiring executives to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for strategic advantage in their organizations. The program combines leadership development with AI implementation strategies to help you manage disruption and lead responsibly in the digital age.
With AI, including generative AI (GenAI), reshaping every industry, forward-looking leaders must balance competitiveness, ethics, and growth to advance AI-driven transformation in their organizations. This program addresses this challenge by covering data strategy, AI adoption and governance, and ethical frameworks. Participants gain practical tools from industry experts to accelerate innovation and integrate AI into organizational strategies and leadership practices.
Hear from Faculty
Watch the video to learn how this program can help advance your career in AI.
Key Takeaways: AI Strategy and Leadership Program
The MIT xPRO AI Strategy and Leadership Program will equip you to:
Examine how AI enables new enterprise activities that can transform how organizations operate
Design a road map for integrating AI and data into your organization or department
Assess essential leadership and AI concepts, and apply those AI insights in your organization or department to stay competitive
Create a basic organizational or departmental AI and data strategy
Create new processes to increase AI and data transparency and accountability
Apply AI tools to leadership processes and improve leadership capabilities
Assess and evaluate your organization's current leadership mindset, your teams' ability to innovate and reinvent in a changing world, and the organization's ability to respond to change
Envision and plan an AI-led future by architecting your organization at all levels — individual, team, and system-wide
Demonstrate the strategic role of leadership in building human–AI ecosystems
Who Is the AI Strategy and Leadership Program For?
MIT xPRO’s AI Strategy and Leadership Program is ideal for:
C-suite executives and senior leaders: CEOs, COOs, CTOs, and other senior executives responsible for strategic AI integrations and deployments, and exploring how AI can help strengthen their leadership signature and support their sensemaking, vision creation and communication, relationship building, and fostering of innovation to enhance business performance amid AI disruptions.
Mid- to senior-level leaders: Mid-level directors and managers focused on sharpening their ability to lead with AI — applying data and AI strategies to drive innovation, build and guide effective teams, and manage change responsibly — and translating AI’s potential into actionable strategies, including GenAI, best practices, risk management, and ethical considerations
Entrepreneurs: Founders, business owners, and leaders focused on harnessing AI’s potential to scale their ventures and build competitive advantage without requiring deep technical expertise
Tech consultants: Technology consultants or strategists focused on understanding AI and data strategy, implementing best practices, and managing associated risks and ethical considerations to offer superior solutions to their employers and clients
Past Participants section
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Work Experience
Where Past Participants Come From
Top Job Functions
Hear From Past Participants
Program Highlights
Kick-start your journey with 12 weeks of in-depth sessions on data strategy for AI, leadership development, AI implementation, and ethical considerations in AI governance
Experience live online sessions on AI and gen AI with the faculty and program leaders
Gain insights from world-renowned MIT faculty who are experts in organizational strategy, leadership, and technology
Discover frameworks and strategies for agile organizational structures, integrating data strategy with AI to drive optimal business outcomes
Engage in a simulated case study to solve organizational challenges and apply your leadership skills to real-world contexts, leveraging data security and AI governance for impactful results.
Attend optional weekly office hours with the program leader to ask questions about program material
Learn via recorded faculty sessions that provide the flexibility to learn at your own pace and convenience
Note: Session topics are subject to change.
Why MIT xPRO?
Founded in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is committed to generating, disseminating, and preserving knowledge and to working with others to bring this knowledge to bear on the world’s great challenges. MIT is ranked #1 in Forbes America's Top Colleges list of the nation’s best schools. MIT is dedicated to providing rigorous academic study, innovative research and scholarship, and a diverse campus community.
MIT’s motto, Mens et manus (“Mind and hand” in Latin), epitomizes the university’s dedication to education focused on practical solutions. Through MIT xPRO — one of the institute's online learning platforms — global executives can access vetted content from world-renowned experts anytime, anywhere. Designed using cutting-edge research in the neuroscience of learning, MIT xPRO programs are application-focused, helping business leaders build their skills on the job and in real time.
What You Will Learn in the AI Strategy and Leadership Program
The program’s 12-week journey combines strategic and applied perspectives on AI. Across two phases, you will examine the role of data and AI in business strategy and explore leadership approaches for driving responsible adoption and digital innovation across organizations.
Module 1: Data Ownership
Explore the foundational principles of AI's impact and its seamless integration into organizational strategies
Delve into the evolutionary trajectory of AI, its various classifications, and the frameworks governing data ownership while dispelling common misconceptions
Assess the symbiotic relationship between big data and AI, enriched with real-world examples, to deepen your understanding of data ownership frameworks
Module 2: AI Strategy Foundations
Delve into the building blocks of constructing effective AI and data strategies
Discover how to assess organizational strategies before outlining actionable steps for implementation
Leverage engaging group-graded assignments to refine your understanding and strategic acumen
Module 3: Data Strategy
Discover the critical relationship between data quality and the efficacy of AI initiatives
Investigate key aspects, including data quality, strategy development, infrastructure considerations, and the imperative of nurturing AI literacy across organizational hierarchies
Examine AI's pivotal role in prediction and decision-making processes, and its practical applications in predictive contexts
Module 4: Deployment and Insights
Address critical aspects of cost considerations, deployment frameworks, and the scalability of AI implementation within businesses
Explore the intersection of AI and big data analytics for fostering public good and driving social change
Examine insight generation from AI for informed decision making and strategic planning
Develop perspectives on leveraging AI's potential for transformative impact
Module 5: Understanding the Risks
Analyze the ethical considerations, best practices, and risk mitigation strategies inherent in AI applications, centered on the imperative of responsible AI
Assess critical issues such as biases and transparency deficits
Explore actionable strategies for the conscientious implementation of AI initiatives with effective risk management protocols
Module 6: Data Privacy and Security
Uncover data security concepts, explore global privacy laws, and assess global regulations
Gain a comprehensive understanding of privacy challenges
Delve into federated AI as a potential solution to these challenges
Module 7: AI and Leadership
Assess the dynamic leadership framework, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between AI and leadership competencies
Explore the historical evolution of AI while distinguishing between AI, machine learning (ML), and big data
Discover how AI enhances leadership functions and the strategic importance of leadership in facilitating collaboration between humans and AI systems
Module 8: Architecting a Nimble Organization
Examine how to structure organizations for agility in the face of disruption, contrasting traditional hierarchical models with nimble organizations
Understand systems thinking, negotiating autonomy, and harnessing strategic collective intelligence
Assess various mechanisms for achieving strategic alignment and employee empowerment
Module 9: Developing a New Leadership Mindset for Data
Evaluate data suitability for AI solutions and how to cultivate conducive team dynamics
Gain insights into recognizing and nurturing effective teams through an exploration of xTEAMS
Assess tools essential for optimizing AI initiatives and implementing robust data management strategies
Module 10: Developing Your Leadership Signature
Recognize strengths, weaknesses, and inherent leadership qualities for personal development
Cultivate leadership skills tailored for technical teams and individuals embarking on AI-focused career paths
Explore the dynamics of social network analysis as a tool for enhancing team cohesion and performance
Formulate personalized development plans
Module 11: AI Governance
Delve into the critical domain of ethical leadership within AI governance, placing a strong emphasis on accountability, ethical standards, and alignment with organizational values
Discover various mechanisms for risk management, and assess ethical decision-making processes
Examine the importance of social responsibility in the context of AI and ML applications
Module 12: Culture of Innovation
Assess how to seamlessly integrate AI and leadership principles into everyday leadership practices
Understand the intricacies of designing digital transformation plans while strategizing methods to eliminate barriers to innovation
Explore the strategic utilization of AI for decision-making processes and organizational learning
Live Faculty Webinars
Session 1: Human–AI Collaboration for Innovation Gain practical insights and strategies for leveraging human–AI collaboration to drive digital innovation and strategic development.
Session 2: Surviving and Thriving in the New World of AI Explore the leadership challenges and opportunities presented by AI, focusing on effective approaches to navigate the complexities of AI integration, particularly that of generative AI.
Guest Speaker Live Sessions
A Brief Primer on General-Purpose AI
This session covers pretraining, the role of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and the data supply chain for multimodal AI systems. It also highlights emerging uses and recent trends shaping the future of generative AI.
Do Not Wait for Perfect, Act with Purpose: Building Strategic Advantage in the Imperfect Gen AI Era
Generative AI is already transforming business, not because it is flawless, but because some leaders are building learning velocity while others debate readiness. In a rapidly evolving technology landscape, the ability to experiment, learn, and adapt quicker than competitors is itself a competitive advantage. We mocked the first iPhone for lacking “copy-paste”, and then we bought 1 billion of them. The organizations that act now strategically, not perfectly, will define the next era.
Pitfalls of AI: The Strategic and Operational Risks of Deepfakes
This session examines the negative aspects of AI. You will explore the mechanics of deepfake fraud, a rapidly evolving new threat to businesses and individuals. Through real-world cases, you will assess its impact on security and reputation and identify the practical strategies for detection and mitigation.
AI Safety and Security Practices and Their Shortcomings
This session offers expert insights on AI safety, security, and governance. You will explore gaps in current evaluation and governance frameworks through case studies on model “red-teaming” and adversarial attacks. You will learn why better oversight and stronger safeguards are urgently needed as AI systems reshape society.
Loyal Agents: Safety and Security in a World of AI Agents
In this session, you will discover the latest trends in AI agent safety and explore real-world security risks linked to AI agents, including prompt injection, data leakage, over-permissioned access, and agent “vibe” unpredictability. Learn why treating AI agents like workforce members is crucial for organizations as automated agents gain more power in workflows and business processes, and gain actionable insights on balancing advanced automation with robust safeguards.
Deploying AI in Practice: Managing Regulations, Ethics, and Governance
This session covers LLMs, their training, strengths, limitations, and legal applications, and compares traditional ML methods and AI models. It also explores RAG, AI regulation, and nontechnical deployment factors.
Note: The topics are indicative and subject to change based on speaker availability
Capstone Project
Your learning journey culminates with two comprehensive capstone projects, each designed to challenge and empower your leadership acumen. These projects provide an excellent opportunity for participants to demonstrate their understanding of the program material and develop valuable skills that are highly sought after in today's AI-driven business landscape.
AI and Data Strategy: In this capstone project, learners will develop a comprehensive AI and data strategy for a fictional organization facing real-world challenges. Over the first six modules, they will craft a strategic plan that could revolutionize operations and drive innovation. From stakeholder analysis to risk mitigation, participants will learn the critical elements of implementing AI in complex business environments. Learners will emerge with the skills to drive data-driven decision making in any industry, armed with a strategy that showcases their ability to balance cutting-edge technology with practical business needs.
AI Leadership: In this capstone project, learners will identify a critical business challenge and develop a strategic plan to solve it, using AI. They will create a compelling value pitch that addresses every aspect of implementation — from selecting the right AI tools to managing teams and ensuring ethical compliance. Perfect for aspiring AI leaders across all sectors, this capstone equips participants with the strategic thinking and practical skills needed to drive AI adoption and organizational change. Learners will emerge ready to champion AI initiatives that can transform businesses and industries.
Meet Our Faculty
Professor, MIT Media Arts and Sciences
Alex "Sandy" Pentland, the founding faculty director of MIT's Connection Science Research Initiative, specializes in utilizing network science to influence real-world human be...
Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management
Deborah Ancona, Seley Distinguished Professor of Management at MIT Sloan School of Management, is renowned for her groundbreaking research on team dynamics and leadership. Her...
Guest Speakers
General Partner, Wisdom Ventures
Chief Operating Officer, Wellcome Leap
Head of Machine Learning and VP of Engineering, Spotify
President, Cyber & Intelligence at Mastercard
Note: Featured guest speakers are subject to change.
Certificate
Get recognized! Upon successful completion of this program, you receive 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), a globally recognized measure of professional learning that reflects compliance with international quality standards, and a certificate of completion from MIT xPRO.
This program is graded as a pass or fail; participants must receive 75 percent to pass and obtain the certificate of completion.
After the successful completion of the program, a verified digital certificate will be emailed to participants, at no additional cost, with the name used when registering for the program.
All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of MIT xPRO.
Note:
After the successful completion of the program, a verified digital certificate will be emailed to participants, at no additional cost, with the name used when registering for the program.
All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of MIT xPRO.
Receive an executive certificate with this learning journey
FAQ
The AI Strategy and Leadership Program is a 12-week online program designed for senior executives, mid-level leaders, entrepreneurs, and consultants who want to integrate AI into their business strategy. The program converges strategic leadership with AI technologies, equipping participants to implement AI solutions, strengthen leadership capabilities, and drive digital transformation across industries.
Unlike many traditional leadership programs, the MIT xPRO AI Strategy and Leadership Program emphasizes hands-on learning and applied machine learning concepts. Participants gain exclusive access to world-renowned MIT faculty and practical tools for developing AI and data strategy, implementing AI responsibly, and leading organizational change in the evolving AI landscape.
Participants will strengthen leadership acumen by learning to design and implement AI strategies, foster data transparency, and build AI-led business models. You will also gain leadership skills in change management, ethical considerations, and developing leadership practices that support digital innovation and sustainable growth.
This online course is ideal for C-suite executives and senior leaders responsible for strategic AI adoption, mid-senior managers guiding AI-driven change, entrepreneurs seeking competitive advantage through AI integration, and consultants who want to deepen their expertise in AI governance and leadership strategies.
The curriculum includes an in-depth exploration of generative AI, large language models, and prompt engineering. Participants will gain hands-on experience with practical frameworks and explore emerging trends in AI systems, ensuring they can implement AI solutions in real-world organizational strategy.
How do I know whether this program is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page and in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.
What are the requirements to earn a certificate?
This is a graded program. You must complete a combination of individual assignments, quizzes, and a final project. Each component carries a certain number of points, and a cumulative score of 75 percent is required to pass and obtain your professional certificate.
Will I be guaranteed a job upon completion of the program?
The primary objective of this program is to give you the skills you need to be prepared for a job in this field. While eligible participants will receive career coaching and support and may receive introductions to our hiring partners, job placement is not guaranteed.
How much time will I be expected to devote to this program?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the “Duration” section and in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will I spend my time in this program?
You will divide your learning time between viewing recorded coding demos, and video lectures, contributing to class discussions, completing assignments, projects, and knowledge checks, and attending optional live sessions with industry experts and program leaders.
How is the program administered? Can the program be accessed any time?
The program is accessed through the custom learning portal. This portal will give you access to all program-related content such as video lectures, assignments, and discussions. Live office hours will be conducted using a webinar tool. The video lectures and assignments are accessible weekly throughout the program. In the event you miss a live session, a recording will be made available.
Do I need to attend live sessions every week?
Faculty video lectures are recorded, allowing you to watch these on your own schedule. However, participation in optional live sessions and discussion boards is highly encouraged. Live sessions will give you the opportunity to draw on the coding experience of our industry-experienced program leaders to answer your questions and help reach your learning goals. The discussion boards are also an integral part of the learning experience, giving you and your peers the opportunity to learn together and receive guidance from the moderators.
Can I download the program videos?
You can download video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. However, the video lectures are only available for streaming and require an internet connection.
How do I interact with other program participants?
You can communicate with other participants through our learning platform. You will be able to form groups based on your interests and location. A direct messaging feature is also available through the platform.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded. All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course. A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what is required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the “Duration” section and in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life. This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification of any specific program requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, résumé, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile. The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the learning platform and all program materials (videos excluded) for 24 months following the program end date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment is needed or the technical requirements for this program?
To successfully complete this course/program(me) online, you must have access to a device meeting the minimum requirements, found here. In addition, Microsoft Office or similar product and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts in all programs. Technical programs might have additional tech requirements. Please check the learning platform on the first day of class.
Do I need to be online to access the program content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet and video content is not available for download. You can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet and webinars and small group sessions will require an internet connection.
What is the program fee for the program, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The program fee is shown at the top of this page and payment must be made in US dollars only. Flexible payment options, group enrollment benefits, and referral bonus are available. Tuition assistance may be available for participants who qualify. Please contact your program advisor to discuss.
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another mode of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in USD via wire transfer. Please contact your program advisor for more details.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?
Yes flexible payment options are available for this program. We partner with loan providers to offer you flexible and transparent loan options. More information about loan financing is available here. Installment payments are also available—; you can find the options here.
Does the program fee include taxes? Are there any additional fees?
Yes, the program fee is inclusive of any taxes with the exception of GST for Singapore residents.
Who will be collecting the payment for the program?
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?
Program fees for Emeritus programs with MIT xPRO may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
What is the program refund and deferral policy?
For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Program Advisors or call us at +1 401 443 9591 (US) / + 44 189 236 2347 (UK) / +65 3129 7174 (SG).
Flexible payment options available.
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