Artificial intelligence (AI) for business is revolutionizing the way organizations compete and operate. As data, analytics, and AI move to the center of organizations, they are changing both business and operating models. Without the operating constraints that limit traditional companies, AI-centric organizations are redefining how they create, capture, and share value—and are achieving unbridled growth across a variety of industries.

Participants in this live online program will explore new operating models and architectures, as well as different structures, capabilities, and leadership skills to help them succeed in today's data-driven AI-first environment. Led by Professors Marco Iansiti and Karim Lakhani, this program is based on their ground-breaking and critically acclaimed book Competing in the Age of AI: Strategy and Leadership When Algorithms and Networks Run the World. The lead faculty have transformed the key lessons of the book into an engaging online learning experience that applies the AI and platforms lens to enable organizations and their leaders to drive digital transformation.

In addition to the weekly live, synchronous classes with faculty, participants will spend 2-3 hours each week on self-paced lessons on an online learning platform. These lessons feature all new material developed by the faculty, and focus on leading companies such as Ant Financial, Microsoft, and Moderna. The program is also designed to create connectivity and networking among participants through peer collaboration, simulation, and engagement with AI leaders and mentors.

Summary

Key Benefits

This online artificial intelligence course challenges participants to rethink their organization’s business model. Participants will delve into the diverse applications of AI, machine learning, and data science; explore network effects and platform strategies; and learn how to build an AI factory that enables their company to compete successfully in existing and new markets. Throughout the program, participants will analyze their organizations’ current AI capabilities, identify new opportunities, and create specific plans for growth. This reflection and analysis will result in an AI blueprint that participants can use to guide the AI transformation at their firm.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Moving toward an AI-based business model Moving toward an AI-based business model

Digitize and redesign key components of your organization and operating model
Build algorithms, software infrastructure, data pipelines, and experimentation platforms
Develop sophisticated data platforms and artificial intelligence capabilities

Creating opportunities to build competitive advantage Creating opportunities to build competitive advantage

Reimagine your company's value propositions to create new revenue streams
Redesign organizational systems, processes, and roles to be AI driven
Build the skills, capabilities, and culture to manage a digital operating model
Develop more accurate customer-behavior models and tailor services accordingly

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Key Benefits

Details

Moving toward an AI-based business model

Digitize and redesign key components of your organization and operating model
Build algorithms, software infrastructure, data pipelines, and experimentation platforms
Develop sophisticated data platforms and artificial intelligence capabilities

Creating opportunities to build competitive advantage

Reimagine your company's value propositions to create new revenue streams
Redesign organizational systems, processes, and roles to be AI driven
Build the skills, capabilities, and culture to manage a digital operating model
Develop more accurate customer-behavior models and tailor services accordingly

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

This program is appropriate for decision-makers, leaders, and individual contributors at both established companies and startups of any size, who are responsible for shaping the organization’s data analytics and/or digital transformation strategy and for addressing the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI in their companies. Ideal candidates will include:

Business and technology leaders and contributors who want to understand how the latest AI tools can be strategically deployed to unlock new strategic and operating values
Individuals in product management and development, digital and information technology operations, marketing, supply chain and operations, talent management, and other strategy-related functions who want to move toward an AI-first digital business and operating model
Digital officers, technology officers, and individuals building and launching data science, analytics, and AI teams who want to bring strategic and operational insights to the C-suite
Cross-functional teams charged with driving digital transformation through AI and platforms who need a common set of frameworks, tools, and examples to help them accelerate their impact

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Who Should Attend

Business and technology leaders and contributors who want to understand how the latest AI tools can be strategically deployed to unlock new strategic and operating values
Individuals in product management and development, digital and information technology operations, marketing, supply chain and operations, talent management, and other strategy-related functions who want to move toward an AI-first digital business and operating model
Digital officers, technology officers, and individuals building and launching data science, analytics, and AI teams who want to bring strategic and operational insights to the C-suite
Cross-functional teams charged with driving digital transformation through AI and platforms who need a common set of frameworks, tools, and examples to help them accelerate their impact

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Leaders in Virtual Learning

When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

head and shoulder images of people in polygon shapes connected to a laptop with the HBS shield in the center

Virtual Programs for Agile Organizations

Help your organization understand why there is no better time to prioritize learning & development.

Learn More

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Leaders in Virtual Learning: When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Virtual Programs for Agile Organizations

Help your organization understand why there is no better time to prioritize learning & development.

Learn More

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 14 days before the program start date to receive a full refund. Cancellations received 7 to 14 days before the program start date are subject to a payment of 50 percent of the program fee. Requests received within 7 days of the program start date are subject to full payment of the program fee.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

For leaders of traditional firms, competing with digital rivals involves more than deploying enterprise software or understanding algorithms. It requires rearchitecting the firm’s operating model. This online artificial intelligence course provides a blueprint for all businesses—from startups to legacy companies—to compete successfully and thrive in the digital era.

What You Will Learn: For leaders of traditional firms, competing with digital rivals involves more than deploying enterprise software or understanding algorithms. It requires rearchitecting the firm’s operating model. This online artificial intelligence course provides a blueprint for all businesses—from startups to legacy companies—to compete successfully and thrive in the digital era.

Program Format

The program takes place over eight weeks, with one live, synchronous session (interactive case discussion, simulation or expert panels) and three-to-five hours of self-paced learning and small discussion groups per week. Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform, and will be offered at two different times to accommodate multiple time zones. Participants will be part of custom-tailored peer groups to drive learning, engagement, and networking throughout the course. The program will extensively use digital tools to enhance community, interaction, and knowledge creation and dissemination.

An extensive network of analytics and AI mentors will be leveraged to help participants contextualize their learning and derive further insights. Collaborative learning is an integral part of this virtual experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, participants are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the Zoom classroom and in small peer groups.

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

The age of AI The age of AI

Demystifying AI and making it accessible within a business context
Understanding the impact of AI on business and operating models
Developing a framework for driving business and industry transformation

Network effects Network effects

Comparing AI-first firms to traditional product and/or service-based organizations
Understanding value equations that increase in the context of platforms and data
Examining strategies for building network effects—and for competing with and against them
Gaining insights into how network and learning effects can accelerate competitive advantage

The AI factory The AI factory

Developing a data pipeline to gather, clean, integrate, and safeguard data in a systematic, sustainable, and scalable way
Using algorithms to generate predictions about future states or actions of the business
Testing hypotheses with an experimentation platform
Ensuring infrastructure supports processes and connects them to both internal and external users

The AI-first company The AI-first company

Accruing the advantages of scale, scope, learning, and speed to innovate and come to market
Understanding how companies with an AI factory core deliver significant value to customers
Delving into the organizational and technological architectures needed to achieve success

Challenges and opportunities Challenges and opportunities

Understanding how to build and deploy a responsible AI framework at scale
Examining privacy, security, bias, transparency and other related issues
Navigating the inherent challenges and capturing the strategic opportunities

Organizational transformation Organizational transformation

Determining where profits can pool and sustaining them over time
Rearchitecting the operating model
Providing effective, unbiased service that protects consumers
Intensifying the value of data
Mitigating collisions between traditional and digital operating models

Key Topics

The age of AI

Demystifying AI and making it accessible within a business context
Understanding the impact of AI on business and operating models
Developing a framework for driving business and industry transformation

Network effects

Comparing AI-first firms to traditional product and/or service-based organizations
Understanding value equations that increase in the context of platforms and data
Examining strategies for building network effects—and for competing with and against them
Gaining insights into how network and learning effects can accelerate competitive advantage

The AI factory

Developing a data pipeline to gather, clean, integrate, and safeguard data in a systematic, sustainable, and scalable way
Using algorithms to generate predictions about future states or actions of the business
Testing hypotheses with an experimentation platform
Ensuring infrastructure supports processes and connects them to both internal and external users

The AI-first company

Accruing the advantages of scale, scope, learning, and speed to innovate and come to market
Understanding how companies with an AI factory core deliver significant value to customers
Delving into the organizational and technological architectures needed to achieve success

Challenges and opportunities

Understanding how to build and deploy a responsible AI framework at scale
Examining privacy, security, bias, transparency and other related issues
Navigating the inherent challenges and capturing the strategic opportunities

Organizational transformation

Determining where profits can pool and sustaining them over time
Rearchitecting the operating model
Providing effective, unbiased service that protects consumers
Intensifying the value of data
Mitigating collisions between traditional and digital operating models

Special Program FeaturesExpand All Collapse All

AI Application Deep Dives AI Application Deep Dives

HBS faculty will curate interactive cases and panels with industry experts that examine the wide range of AI applications being put into enterprise use today. Participants will have the opportunity to choose at least two of these live sessions, and the remaining sessions will be available to view asynchronously.

AI Readiness Survey AI Readiness Survey

Participants will evaluate their own organizations’ AI readiness and learn where their organization stands on an AI scale relative to other firms in similar industries and geographies. The survey serves as a research tool, a diagnostic tool, and a benchmark tool. Participants will give and receive feedback on survey results with the other participants and with faculty.

Special Program Features

AI Application Deep Dives

AI Readiness Survey

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

Marco Iansiti

David Sarnoff Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Karim R. Lakhani

Charles Edward Wilson Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

Marco Iansiti

David Sarnoff Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Karim R. Lakhani

Charles Edward Wilson Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

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Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Apply

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Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

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Competing in the Age of AI—Virtual

Summary

Summary

DetailsExpand AllCollapse All

Moving toward an AI-based business modelMoving toward an AI-based business model Dropdown down

Creating opportunities to build competitive advantageCreating opportunities to build competitive advantage Dropdown down

Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network Dropdown down

Moving toward an AI-based business model

Creating opportunities to build competitive advantage

Expand your personal and professional network

Who Should Attend

Leaders in Virtual Learning

Leaders in Virtual Learning

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

What You Will Learn

Program Format

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All

The age of AIThe age of AI Dropdown down

Network effectsNetwork effects Dropdown down

The AI factoryThe AI factory Dropdown down

The AI-first companyThe AI-first company Dropdown down

Challenges and opportunitiesChallenges and opportunities Dropdown down

Organizational transformationOrganizational transformation Dropdown down

The age of AI

Network effects

The AI factory

The AI-first company

Challenges and opportunities

Organizational transformation

Special Program FeaturesExpand AllCollapse All

AI Application Deep DivesAI Application Deep Dives Dropdown down

AI Readiness SurveyAI Readiness Survey Dropdown down

AI Application Deep Dives

AI Readiness Survey

The HBS Advantage

The HBS Advantage

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Moving toward an AI-based business model Moving toward an AI-based business model

Creating opportunities to build competitive advantage Creating opportunities to build competitive advantage

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

The age of AI The age of AI

Network effects Network effects

The AI factory The AI factory

The AI-first company The AI-first company

Challenges and opportunities Challenges and opportunities

Organizational transformation Organizational transformation

Special Program FeaturesExpand All Collapse All

AI Application Deep Dives AI Application Deep Dives

AI Readiness Survey AI Readiness Survey