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Course Description

Overview

Like the printing press, steam engine, and electricity of previous eras, artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to become one of the most consequential general-purpose technologies the world has ever seen—one that will radically transform business, government, and society.

In this executive sprint, two top University of Waterloo faculty experts will provide aspiring and seasoned executives with an opportunity to consider the magnitude of the potential changes AI will bring to business and government. By navigating through three logically flowing virtual sessions, you will develop a better understanding of the disruptive potential of AI, how it fits into the long arc of technological change, and how this time is different.

You will also develop greater awareness and appreciation for how generative AI technologies are transforming organizational functions and processes—as well as catalyzing product and service innovations at breathtaking speed—while recognizing important ethical issues that need to be addressed. Looking ahead, you will come to better appreciate how the AI landscape is evolving and the implications this will have for the future of work and organizational strategy at large.

Who Will Benefit

This executive sprint is designed for:

  • Senior leaders who wish to understand how AI is reshaping businesses, industries, and government organizations.
  • Functional leaders from marketing, operations, HR, and finance who wish to understand the potential for harnessing AI applications in their work environments.
  • Government administrators seeking opportunities to improve operational processes and service innovations.
  • Entrepreneurs who wish to leverage AI services to drive innovation and competitiveness.
  • Consultants and business analysts who wish to further understand the application potential of generative AI technologies for different industries.

What You Will Learn

Session 1: AI and the Changing Strategy Landscape
  • Understand the basics of AI and why it is poised to become a general-purpose technology that will radically transform business, government, and society.
  • Identify ethical issues related to AI including trust, bias and fairness, data privacy, transparency, and accountability.
  • Introduce the 3Rs model of “replace, reimagine, and recombine” as a framework for rethinking processes, product and service innovations, new business models, and strategies.

Session 2: The Disruptive Power of Generative AI
  • Explore how large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, can be used to improve business functions, processes, and innovations across the enterprise.
  • Discover how different industries are harnessing generative AI imaging applications to increase organizational performance and competitiveness.
  • Apply the “replace, reimagine, recombine” model using generative AI as a foundation for rethinking processes, products and service innovations, and business models.

Session 3: The Future of AI and its Strategic Implications
  • Investigate the big players and trends shaping the future of AI, as well as the potential impact of novel AI applications.
  • Consider the future of work in an increasingly AI-driven world and the implications it will have for organizational culture, talent development, and recruiting efforts.
  • Synthesize and situate key learning points from the program in the context of your organization’s strategy and operations.

How You Will Learn

This executive sprint offers multiple modes of learning that will allow you to get up-to-speed quickly on how AI is set to radically transform business, government, and society. This includes:

  • 90-minute live sessions comprised of short presentations, faculty-guided and peer-led discussions.
  • Curated readings that will allow you to dig deeper into specific topics of interest.
  • Action learning thought-starters that will apply the 3R model to your organization or one with which you are familiar.
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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Section Title
AI and Business Strategy
Type
Online
Dates
May 21, 2025 to Jun 15, 2025
Course Fee(s)
Course Fee non-credit $849.00
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