What You'll Learn
In this program, you will learn how to:
- Align AI initiatives with business strategy
- Identify high-impact use cases and opportunities
- Evaluate risks, governance, and ethical considerations
- Lead AI adoption across teams and functions
Artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining competitive advantage at unprecedented speed. The question for leaders is no longer whether to engage with AI, but where to make the right strategic investments, and how to turn potential into measurable business impact. Success demands disciplined prioritization, responsible deployment at scale, and clear alignment with enterprise strategy. Organizations that adopt AI strategically can unlock new efficiencies, enhance customer value, and strengthen competitive positioning. Those that pursue isolated pilots or chase hype risk wasted investment and organizational disruption.
This program equips leaders with a practical framework for evaluating, prioritizing, and governing AI initiatives across the enterprise. Through real-world cases, structured frameworks, and peer discussion, you will examine how leading organizations are using AI to drive performance while managing risk. The emphasis is on strategic judgment—understanding where AI matters most, when to invest, and how to scale successfully.
You will explore applications across major business functions, approaches to measuring ROI, governance and ethical considerations, and emerging trends shaping the future of AI-enabled organizations. By the end of the program, you will be prepared to make informed decisions about when and how to adopt AI-driven solutions to create sustainable competitive advantage for your organization.
Note: This is a managerial program focused on strategy and leadership. IT and coding expertise are not required.
Program Benefits
- Evaluate where AI can create the greatest strategic value in your organization
- Prioritize high-impact AI opportunities and eliminate low-value initiatives
- Align AI initiatives to business strategy and readiness
- Navigate ethical, regulatory, and reputational risks associated with AI adoption
- Develop a practical roadmap for scaling AI across functions and business units
- Lead cross-functional conversations about AI with confidence and credibility
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Who Should Enroll
This program is designed for business leaders who are responsible for shaping how AI is used in their organizations and who need to translate AI potential into business results—without becoming technical experts.
It is particularly valuable for:
- Senior executives, general managers, and P&L owners seeking to integrate AI into core strategy and operations.
- Functional leaders in areas such as operations, marketing, product management, HR, finance, legal, supply chain, and customer experience who are piloting or scaling AI initiatives.
- Leaders in digital transformation, innovation, data/analytics, or technology who must align AI projects with business priorities and stakeholder expectations.
- Board members and senior advisors who oversee AI risk, governance, and long-term competitiveness.
Note: This program emphasizes strategic insight, leadership, and governance rather than algorithms, coding, or system implementation.
Topics Covered
- AI as a strategic capability: core concepts, the AI technology stack, generative AI, and implications for business models
- Organizational readiness for AI: digital maturity, operating models, and decision boundaries between humans and machines
- AI-enabled strategy and innovation: AI-driven products, services, and platforms
- Functional applications: use cases across operations, marketing, HR, finance, legal, and cross-functional decision making
- Portfolio management and investment: roadmapping, performance metrics, and evaluation of AI initiatives
- Governance and responsible AI: risk management, bias, accountability, regulatory considerations, and oversight structures
- Leading in an AI-driven future: emerging trends, competitive implications, and development of an individual AI action plan
Considering this program?
June Schedule
Day 1
- AI as a Strategic System: What leaders must understand now
- From AI experiments to enterprise strategy
- AI Readiness: Strategy before Technology
- What changes for you as a leader
Day 2
- AI Across Business Functions: What scales, what breaks
- Measuring AI Value: ROI, metrics, and strategic control
- AI Ethics and Governance
- The Future of AI Leadership: What comes next
August Schedule
Day 1
- Understanding key AI concepts and enabling technology
- Identify different types of AI applications within the context of business strategy and operations
- Evaluating digital and AI readiness in your organization
- AI Product Management
Day 2
- Creating a strategy aligned to your business objectives
- AI applications across different business functions
- Ethical considerations of building, deploying, and scaling disruptive technology
- Anticipating future AI trends and implications
October Schedule
Day 1
- Emergence of New Business Models through Information Economy
- Deep Dive into the Value Chains
Day 2
- Main Instruments in the AI Landscape
- Digital Diagnostics and Value Propositions
October Schedule
Week 1: Foundations of AI in Business
- Understand key AI concepts and enabling technologies
- Identify different types of AI applications in business contexts
- Evaluate digital and AI readiness in your organization
Week 2: AI Strategy & Implementation
- Create an AI strategy aligned with your business objectives
- Introduction to AI product management
- Understand data requirements and infrastructure needs
- Identify key challenges in AI implementation
Week 3: AI Applications Across Business Functions
- Explore AI applications in different business functions
- Understand industry-specific AI use cases
- Evaluate ROI of AI initiatives
Week 4: AI Ethics, Governance, and Future Trends
- Understand ethical considerations in AI deployment
- Develop AI governance frameworks
- Anticipate future AI trends and implications
December Schedule
Day 1
- Identify different types of AI applications within business strategy and operations
- Evaluate digital and AI readiness in your organizations
- Key challenges for digital initiatives and AI implementation
- Introduction to AI Product Management
- Creating a strategy aligned to your business objectives
Day 2
- Explore AI applications in different business functions
- Industry-specific AI use cases
- Evaluate ROI of AI initiatives
- Ethical considerations in AI deployment and scaling disruptive technology
- Developing AI governance frameworks
- Anticipate future AI trends and implications
Instructor
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![Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio]()
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Ph.D., J.D., LL.M., M.Sc., is a globally recognized expert in AI, Big Data, cognitive computing, behavioral science, and the future of work. She serves as Faculty Chair of the ELRIWMA Initiative at Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School, where her research applies advanced analytics to leadership and decision-making. She is the founder of People Culture Data Consulting Group and creator of I.D.E.A., an AI-driven people analytics platform that improves performance reviews and team effectiveness.
Instructor
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![Andy Storey.]()
Andy Storey
Andy Storey (GMP23, HBS ’17) leads the Global Resilience Operations, Critical Incident Management, and Strategic Response teams at TikTok. A Navy veteran and former Senior Director of Labs at Harvard's Data Digital Design Institute, Andy brings extensive leadership experience across government, finance, and technology. He has taught at both Harvard Business School and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Instructor
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![Alexander Puutio]()
T. Alexander Puutio
Alexander Puutio is a leadership expert, author, and consultant with experience driving organizational excellence at the United Nations and Boston Consulting Group. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, international NGOs, and startups on strategic direction. As an instructor at Harvard Extension School, he teaches global development courses and has collaborated with over 300 CEOs, including Warren Buffett and Marc Benioff. His book, AI for MBAs, examines AI's role in leadership.
Instructor
-
![Andy Storey.]()
Andy Storey
Andy Storey (GMP23, HBS ’17) leads the Global Resilience Operations, Critical Incident Management, and Strategic Response teams at TikTok. A Navy veteran and former Senior Director of Labs at Harvard's Data Digital Design Institute, Andy brings extensive leadership experience across government, finance, and technology. He has taught at both Harvard Business School and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Instructor
-
![Alexander Puutio]()
T. Alexander Puutio
Alexander Puutio is a leadership expert, author, and consultant with experience driving organizational excellence at the United Nations and Boston Consulting Group. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, international NGOs, and startups on strategic direction. As an instructor at Harvard Extension School, he teaches global development courses and has collaborated with over 300 CEOs, including Warren Buffett and Marc Benioff. His book, AI for MBAs, examines AI's role in leadership.
Earn a Certificate of Leadership Excellence
The Certificates of Leadership Excellence (CLE) are designed for leaders with the desire to enhance their business acumen, challenge current thinking, and expand their leadership skills.
This program counts toward the CLE in Strategy and Innovation.
Register today and get started earning your certificate.
