Executive Education
    H a r v a r d | B u s i n e s s | S c h o o lExecutive Education
    Need Help? Contact Us: Program Advising team Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    New Program
    Competing in the Age of AI—Virtual
    Session1
    Dates: 03 JUN–22 JUL 2021
    Location: Virtual
    Fee: $5,000

    The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials.
    Application Due: 25 MAY 2021

    This program includes live online classes, self-paced work, discussion groups, and virtual networking. Download brochure for detailed schedule.
    Session2
    Dates: 23 SEP–11 NOV 2021
    Location: Virtual
    Fee: $5,000

    The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials.

    This program includes live online classes, self-paced work, discussion groups, and virtual networking. Download brochure for detailed schedule.
    Program Announcement
    The program originally scheduled for 22 FEB&ndash;15 APR 2021 has been rescheduled to 03 JUN&ndash;22 JUL 2021. If you have any questions, please contact <a href="mailto:executive_education@hbs.edu">executive_education@hbs.edu</a>.

    Summary

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way today's businesses compete and operate. By putting AI and data at the center of their capabilities, companies are redefining how they create, capture, and share value—and are achieving impressive growth as a result. Whatever your industry or business model, you cannot afford to ignore this exciting, highly disruptive trend.

    In this live online program, you will delve into new AI-based business models and operational approaches. As you explore a range of capabilities that can help your business succeed in today's data-driven environments, you will discover how you can lead your company's transformation into an AI-first leader. Along with learning how to unlock new growth potential, you will deepen your understanding of ethical challenges that come with leveraging massive amounts of data and sophisticated analytics.

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    Summary

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way today's businesses compete and operate. By putting AI and data at the center of their capabilities, companies are redefining how they create, capture, and share value—and are achieving impressive growth as a result. Whatever your industry or business model, you cannot afford to ignore this exciting, highly disruptive trend.

    In this live online program, you will delve into new AI-based business models and operational approaches. As you explore a range of capabilities that can help your business succeed in today's data-driven environments, you will discover how you can lead your company's transformation into an AI-first leader. Along with learning how to unlock new growth potential, you will deepen your understanding of ethical challenges that come with leveraging massive amounts of data and sophisticated analytics.

    Key Benefits
    This online artificial intelligence course is a "how-to" guide that demystifies AI and its practical implications for business advantage. You will delve into diverse applications of AI, machine learning, predictive modeling, and data science; explore network effects and platform strategies; and learn how to build an AI factory that enables your company to compete successfully in existing and new markets. You will also analyze your organization's current business models and AI capabilities, identify new opportunities, and create specific plans for growth.

    DetailsCollapse All

    Move toward an AI-based business modelMove toward an AI-based business model
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    • Choose how best to apply AI in your industry and your business
    • Redesign key components of your organization and operating model
    • Lead the creation of algorithms, software infrastructure, data pipelines, and experimentation platforms
    • Guide your organization in the development of sophisticated data platforms and artificial intelligence capabilities and enable higher levels of automation
    • Ensure an ethical approach to AI and manage inherent risks
    Create opportunities to build competitive advantageCreate opportunities to build competitive advantage
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    • 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 an AI-first operating model
    • Recognize and benefit from network effects and learning effects
    Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
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    • 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 Dropdown up

    Key Benefits Dropdown down

    This online artificial intelligence course is a "how-to" guide that demystifies AI and its practical implications for business advantage. You will delve into diverse applications of AI, machine learning, predictive modeling, and data science; explore network effects and platform strategies; and learn how to build an AI factory that enables your company to compete successfully in existing and new markets. You will also analyze your organization's current business models and AI capabilities, identify new opportunities, and create specific plans for growth.
    Details

    Move toward an AI-based business model

    • Choose how best to apply AI in your industry and your business
    • Redesign key components of your organization and operating model
    • Lead the creation of algorithms, software infrastructure, data pipelines, and experimentation platforms
    • Guide your organization in the development of sophisticated data platforms and artificial intelligence capabilities and enable higher levels of automation
    • Ensure an ethical approach to AI and manage inherent risks

    Create 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 an AI-first operating model
    • Recognize and benefit from network effects and learning effects

    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

    • Decision-makers, leaders, and individual contributors at both established companies and startups of any size, who are responsible for shaping their organization's AI, data analytics, or digital transformation strategy
    • Business and technology leaders and contributors who want to understand how they can deploy the latest AI tools to unlock new sources of strategic and operating value
    • Individuals in strategy-related roles including product management and development, digital and information technology operations, marketing, supply chain and operations, talent management, and more, 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

    Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact.


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

    Who Should Attend Dropdown down

    Who Should Attend Dropdown down

    • Decision-makers, leaders, and individual contributors at both established companies and startups of any size, who are responsible for shaping their organization's AI, data analytics, or digital transformation strategy
    • Business and technology leaders and contributors who want to understand how they can deploy the latest AI tools to unlock new sources of strategic and operating value
    • Individuals in strategy-related roles including product management and development, digital and information technology operations, marketing, supply chain and operations, talent management, and more, 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

    Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's 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.

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    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.

    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.
    Application and Notification Deadlines

    JUN 2021 Program
    • Application due: 25 MAY 2021
    Read More
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    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 Dropdown down

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    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.
    Application and Notification Deadlines

    JUN 2021 Program
    • Application due: 25 MAY 2021

    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.
    Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.

    What You Will Learn

    Through a rich experience that includes live online sessions with faculty, new case studies, self-paced learning, small-group discussions, and insights from experts, you will discover how artificial intelligence is transforming today's businesses—and how your business can benefit. These lessons feature all new material developed by the faculty, and focus on leading companies such as Ant Financial and Moderna. This online artificial intelligence course releases AI from the black box and provides a blueprint to help all businesses—from startups to long-established companies—compete successfully and thrive in the age of AI.

    Led by Professors Marco Iansiti and Karim Lakhani, this program is based on the findings summarized in their ground-breaking and critically acclaimed book Competing in the Age of AI: Strategy and Leadership When Algorithms and Networks Run the World.

    Program Format

    The program takes place over eight weeks, with each week including one live, synchronous session (interactive case discussion, simulation, or expert panel) at 12:00-1:30 PM ET and three to five hours of self-paced learning and small-group discussions. Class sessions and discussions will take place via the Zoom platform. Carefully curated small groups of peers will facilitate learning, idea exchange, and networking throughout the course.

    The program will also leverage an extensive network of analytics and AI mentors will to help you contextualize and apply your learning. 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.

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    Program Format

    The program takes place over eight weeks, with each week including one live, synchronous session (interactive case discussion, simulation, or expert panel) at 12:00-1:30 PM ET and three to five hours of self-paced learning and small-group discussions. Class sessions and discussions will take place via the Zoom platform. Carefully curated small groups of peers will facilitate learning, idea exchange, and networking throughout the course.

    The program will also leverage an extensive network of analytics and AI mentors will to help you contextualize and apply your learning. 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.

    Key TopicsCollapse All

    The age of AIThe age of AI
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    • Tracing digitization of the economy and the (re)emergence of AI
    • Understanding the impact of AI on business and operating models
    • Developing a framework for driving business and industry transformation
    • Evolving leadership in the era of AI
    • Exploring surprising uses of AI today
    Network effects and learning effectsNetwork effects and learning effects
    Dropdown down
    • Overcoming the challenge of developing strategy in today's AI landscape
    • Comparing AI-first firms to traditional product and/or service-based organizations
    • Implementing powerful innovation frameworks
    • Building network effects, using them to accelerate competitive advantage—and competing against them
    • Taking full advantage of learning effects as you scale your operations
    The AI factoryThe AI factory
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    • Developing a data pipeline to gather, clean, integrate, and safeguard data in a systematic, sustainable, and scalable way
    • Developing algorithms
    • Deploying personalization for maximum effectiveness
    • Using predictive modeling to anticipate future states or actions of the business
    • Testing hypotheses with an experimentation platform
    • Ensuring that your infrastructure supports key processes and connects them to both internal and external users
    The AI-first companyThe AI-first company
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    • Accruing the advantages of scale, scope, learning, and speed to innovate and go to market
    • Understanding how companies with an AI factory core deliver significant value to customers
    • Designing and implementing organizational and technological architectures needed to achieve success
    • Navigating the inherent challenges of AI and capturing strategic opportunities
    Ethics of AI and dataEthics of AI and data
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    • Building and scaling a responsible AI framework
    • Ensuring privacy and cybersecurity
    • Avoiding algorithmic bias
    • Managing risks related to inclusiveness and transparency
    Driving organizational transformation Driving organizational transformation
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    • Leading a new kind of digital transformation
    • Assessing your organization's AI readiness and maturity
    • Developing your AI-first Scorecard
    • Rearchitecting your operating model
    • Providing effective, unbiased service that protects consumers
    • Intensifying the value of data
    • Mitigating collisions between traditional and digital operating models

    Key Topics Dropdown up

    Key Topics Dropdown down

    The age of AI

    • Tracing digitization of the economy and the (re)emergence of AI
    • Understanding the impact of AI on business and operating models
    • Developing a framework for driving business and industry transformation
    • Evolving leadership in the era of AI
    • Exploring surprising uses of AI today

    Network effects and learning effects

    • Overcoming the challenge of developing strategy in today's AI landscape
    • Comparing AI-first firms to traditional product and/or service-based organizations
    • Implementing powerful innovation frameworks
    • Building network effects, using them to accelerate competitive advantage—and competing against them
    • Taking full advantage of learning effects as you scale your operations

    The AI factory

    • Developing a data pipeline to gather, clean, integrate, and safeguard data in a systematic, sustainable, and scalable way
    • Developing algorithms
    • Deploying personalization for maximum effectiveness
    • Using predictive modeling to anticipate future states or actions of the business
    • Testing hypotheses with an experimentation platform
    • Ensuring that your infrastructure supports key 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 go to market
    • Understanding how companies with an AI factory core deliver significant value to customers
    • Designing and implementing organizational and technological architectures needed to achieve success
    • Navigating the inherent challenges of AI and capturing strategic opportunities

    Ethics of AI and data

    • Building and scaling a responsible AI framework
    • Ensuring privacy and cybersecurity
    • Avoiding algorithmic bias
    • Managing risks related to inclusiveness and transparency

    Driving organizational transformation

    • Leading a new kind of digital transformation
    • Assessing your organization's AI readiness and maturity
    • Developing your AI-first Scorecard
    • Rearchitecting your operating model
    • Providing effective, unbiased service that protects consumers
    • Intensifying the value of data
    • Mitigating collisions between traditional and digital operating models

    Special Program FeaturesCollapse All

    AI Application Deep DivesAI Application Deep Dives
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    HBS faculty will curate interactive cases and panels with industry experts that examine the wide range of AI applications being put into use in today's enterprises. You 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 SurveyAI Readiness Survey
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    You will evaluate your own organization's AI readiness and learn how your organization compares with other firms in similar industries and geographies. The survey serves as a research tool, a diagnostic tool, and a benchmark tool. You will review survey results with peers and faculty.

    Special Program Features Dropdown up

    Special Program Features Dropdown down

    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 use in today's enterprises. You 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

    You will evaluate your own organization's AI readiness and learn how your organization compares with other firms in similar industries and geographies. The survey serves as a research tool, a diagnostic tool, and a benchmark tool. You will review survey results with peers and faculty.

    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
    Marco Iansiti
    Marco Iansiti

    Marco Iansiti

    David Sarnoff Professor of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Technology and Operations Management

    Read Full Bio

    Karim R. Lakhani
    Karim R. Lakhani
    Karim R. Lakhani

    Karim R. Lakhani

    Charles Edward Wilson Professor of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Technology and Operations Management

    Read Full Bio

    Faculty
    Rana el Kaliouby
    Rana el Kaliouby
    Rana el Kaliouby

    Rana el Kaliouby

    Executive Fellow

    Read Full Bio

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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
    Marco Iansiti
    Marco Iansiti

    Marco Iansiti

    David Sarnoff Professor of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Technology and Operations Management

    Read Full Bio

    Karim R. Lakhani
    Karim R. Lakhani
    Karim R. Lakhani

    Karim R. Lakhani

    Charles Edward Wilson Professor of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Technology and Operations Management

    Read Full Bio

    Faculty
    Rana el Kaliouby
    Rana el Kaliouby
    Rana el Kaliouby

    Rana el Kaliouby

    Executive Fellow

    Read Full Bio

    View Frequently Asked Questions

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