Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials
Develop the capabilities modern leadership demands
Build business fluency and AI strategic capabilities in 1 learning journey
Embark on a comprehensive learning journey that brings together 2 impactful programs from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Designed for professionals seeking to build the capabilities modern leadership demands, this integrated experience helps you strengthen business fluency and AI strategy expertise to make informed decisions, identify growth opportunities and lead organizational transformation with confidence.
Connect business essentials with AI
What happens when leadership capability no longer keeps pace with business reality?
Organizations across industries are at an inflection point. As AI reshapes how value is created and captured, leaders must navigate both business priorities and technological possibilities. The ability to connect the two is becoming a defining driver of growth and competitive advantage. The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials combines 2 programs from the Rotman School of Management—the MBA Essentials program and the Generative and Agentic AI for Business: Driving Growth and Competitive Advantage program—into a learning journey that connects business fundamentals with AI strategy.
Led by renowned Rotman faculty, this 13-week program explores the strategic application of generative AI (gen AI) and agentic AI through frameworks, case studies, assignments and real-world business scenarios. By the end of the program, you will be equipped to evaluate opportunities, make stronger strategic decisions, deploy AI responsibly and drive sustainable growth in an evolving business landscape.
What you will learn
The MBA Essentials program will enable you to:
Leverage AI to identify high-value applications, evaluate its impact on business fundamentals and drive data-informed growth
Apply strategic tools to define mission and vision, evaluate competitive advantage and respond effectively to disruption
Apply insights on interest rates, inflation, trade and fiscal policy to anticipate market shifts and guide business decisions
Analyze financial statements and disclosures accurately and apply reporting insights to assess organizational performance
Use investment decision rules, valuation techniques and risk frameworks to evaluate opportunities and strengthen financial outcomes
Design growth-focused marketing strategies, sharpen brand positioning and effectively segment customers to capture value
The Generative and Agentic AI for Business program will enable you to:
Evaluate the potential of gen AI in optimizing core business functions for efficiency and innovation
Select AI-driven solutions that leverage prompt engineering to enhance decision-making, streamline operations and drive productivity
Identify strategies to leverage AI for competitive differentiation, market leadership and organizational growth
Recognize AI’s role in transforming forecasting, risk modelling and synthetic data generation through the use of gen AI models
Describe key AI evaluation metrics and their impact on organizational performance and scalability
Analyze ethical challenges in AI adoption and design governance frameworks for responsible deployment
Explain the significance of human-in-the-loop systems in ensuring AI compliance with business and regulatory mandates
Create a structured road map to drive AI adoption and apply gen AI to foster innovation, cultivate a data-driven culture and mitigate resistance to change
Why choose this multiprogram learning journey?
By enrolling in the Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials, you will strengthen business fundamentals while developing the ability to apply gen AI and agentic AI to strategic business challenges. This comprehensive learning journey offers:
Insights from 4 Rotman faculty
Applied learning for real-world impact
An AI strategy coach
Scenario simulators
Decision-making frameworks
8 case studies
3 digital certificates
Program curriculum
Designed for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, founders and functional leaders, the Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials combines MBA-level business foundations with applied AI frameworks. Through faculty insights, case studies, live sessions and practical applications, this 13-week program helps make more informed business decisions.
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Part 1: MBA Essentials
Module 1: Strategy
Module 2: Macroeconomics
Module 3: Artificial Intelligence (Including Generative AI and Agentic AI)
Module 4: Accounting
Module 5: Finance
Module 6: Marketing
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Part 2: Generative and Agentic AI for Business
Module 1: Generative AI—Opportunities and Limitations
Module 2: AI and Competitive Advantage
Module 3: Generative AI in Business Models and New Revenue Streams
Module 4: Decision-Making with Generative AI
Module 5: Risk, Ethics and Corporate Governance for AI
Module 6: Leading Organizational Transformation and Building an AI-Driven Culture
Applied learning for real-world impact
Strategic frameworks in action
Apply strategic frameworks, to real-world business challenges, comparing which tools yield the most effective insights for decision-making.
Macroeconomic trends consultation
Engage with an AI strategy consultant to analyze how shifts in inflation, interest rates and recessions could affect organizational choices, improving foresight in economic planning.
Strategic AI investment decision
Allocate a limited AI budget through an AI chatbot across strategy, finance and marketing—using trade-off analysis to justify investment decisions in competing priori
Applying investment decision rules
Test projects using net present value, internal rate of return, payback period and profitability index, gaining clarity on the implications when evaluation methods conver
Capstone assignment
Apply insights from across modules to design a proposal for an AI project or integration within your organization, culminating program learnings in a practical assignment.
Case study spotlight
Assess your decision-making in AI-driven business contexts through 8 real-world case studies and industry examples.
Goldman Sachs
Examine how an AI assistant analyzes financial data to enhance decision-making while enabling professionals to focus on strategy.
Pfizer
Explore how a gen AI platform automates fact-checking, editing and content risk categorization to accelerate approvals.
Morgan Stanley
Analyze the use of an AI assistant that provides real-time insights and reduces research time for advisers.
NVIDIA
Investigate how synthetic data is used to train autonomous vehicles in simulated environments, improving safety and development sp
Citibank
Evaluate the application of AI-driven risk modelling to predict economic shifts and improve investment decisions through scenario-based insights.
Brex
Assess how AI-powered financial tools analyze spending patterns and provide real-time budget insights.
Cohere
Understand how an AI model simplifies document Q&A and text summarization to accelerate insight generation.
Bob’s Baloney
Apply financial analysis techniques to evaluate organizational performance through financial statements, ratios and performance benchmarks and to develop actionable business recommendations.
Faculty-led live sessions on agentic AI
Faculty-led live sessions are purposefully integrated throughout the program curriculum to help business leaders like you translate AI agents and agent-driven automation into practical skills. Through these sessions, you will explore how agentic AI is reshaping business execution, decision-making and AI workflows.
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Live session 1: Agentic AI for Business Growth
This session uses real business examples to introduce the fundamentals of agent-driven automation and how AI agents can streamline everyday operations. It explains what autonomous agents are, how they plan and execute tasks end-to-end and which processes are best suited for agentic workflows. The session also highlights how to identify strong starting points and evaluate agent impact using clear, measurable metrics.
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Live session 2: Agentic AI in the Real World—Safety, Oversight and Team Readiness
This session focuses on safely integrating agentic systems into existing workflows without requiring technical expertise. It covers common challenges when agents act autonomously, practical ways to prevent errors and the boundaries leaders must set for reliable use. The session also emphasizes the importance of human oversight, team readiness, trust building and ongoing monitoring to ensure responsible, effective deployment.
Note: Live sessions and speakers are subject to change.
Who should enrol?
This program is designed for professionals seeking to strengthen their business judgment and AI capabilities in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
Mid-career professionals transitioning into leadership who are looking to build cross-functional business fluency and develop the ability to apply AI strat
Entrepreneurs and founders scaling businesses who want to strengthen their core business capabilities while exploring how AI can enhance products, operations and revenue models
Functional leaders aiming to develop the frameworks and perspectives needed to deploy AI responsibly, align initiatives with business goals and drive organizational impact
Consultants and advisory professionals seeking to develop the business and AI frameworks needed to identify opportunities, guide strategic decision-making and support transformation initiatives across organizations
Meet the faculty
Walid Hejazi
Professor of Economic Analysis and Policy, the Rotman School of Management; Academic Director, Rotman Executive Programs
Walid Hejazi teaches Rotman’s MBA, Executive MBA and custom programs, offering insights into global business trends and trade. He has advised Canadian and foreign governments ...
Zissis Poulos
Assistant Professor of Financial Technologies
Zissis Poulos is an expert in machine learning and the applications of gen AI in financial markets. His research covers AI applications in derivatives hedging, risk management...
Simon Ashbourne
Adjunct Professor, The Rotman School of Management; Marketing Partner, The Marketplace Capabilities Group Inc.
Simon Ashbourne has about 3 decades of consulting experience across the consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical and retail industry segments. His focus areas are strategic pla...
Scott Liao
Professor of Accounting, The Rotman School of Management; Vice Dean, Undergraduate and Specialized Programs, University of Toronto
Scott Liao has been researching and teaching financial accounting with a focus on banking and data analytics for more than 12 years. His research interests include banking reg...
Certificate
Upon successful completion of this learning journey, you will receive three digital certificates from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. These include a certificate of completion each for the MBA Essentials program, the Generative and Agentic AI for Business: Driving Growth and Competitive Advantage program and the Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials. This program also counts toward a Rotman Excellence in Executive Leadership Certificate.
Note: All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Rotman School of Management.
FAQs
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What is the Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials from the Rotman School of Management?
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials from the Rotman School of Management is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their business judgment while developing the ability to apply AI strategically across organizational contexts. It combines 2 complementary programs—MBA Essentials and Generative and Agentic AI for Business: Driving Growth and Competitive Advantage—to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Focused on business fundamentals and AI-enabled decision-making, this program helps professionals understand how key business functions intersect with emerging technologies. Participants learn to identify opportunities for growth, evaluate strategic choices and lead transformation with confidence.
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Why are business and AI strategy skills becoming essential for today’s professionals?
Business and AI strategy skills are becoming essential as organizations increasingly seek leaders who can connect business priorities with emerging technologies to drive growth and competitive advantage. Professionals today are expected to make informed decisions and lead transformation initiatives in rapidly evolving business environments.
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials helps professionals strengthen their understanding of business fundamentals while developing the ability to apply gen AI and agentic AI to strategic challenges. Participants explore where AI can create value, how its impact can be measured and what it takes to align AI initiatives with broader business goals.
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What capabilities can professionals develop through the Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials?
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials helps professionals strengthen their understanding of business strategy while building the skills needed to evaluate and apply AI effectively. Participants gain insight into how organizations create competitive advantage and respond to change in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
Through case studies, simulations, live sessions and applied learning activities, the program explores innovation, organizational transformation and responsible AI adoption.
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How can business and AI strategy training help professionals solve complex business challenges more effectively?
Business and AI strategy training can help professionals approach complex challenges with greater clarity and a stronger understanding of how technology can support business outcomes. Leaders who can connect business objectives with AI opportunities are increasingly valuable in organizations navigating disruption and rapid change.
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials combines strategic frameworks with practical application. Participants learn how to evaluate AI investments, make stronger decisions and identify opportunities that support long-term growth.
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How can AI help leaders make better business decisions?
AI can help leaders improve decision-making by uncovering insights that may otherwise go unnoticed. It can reveal patterns, support scenario analysis and provide information that strengthens business judgment. At the same time, realizing value from AI requires an understanding of its limitations.
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials helps professionals evaluate AI-driven solutions and apply AI tools to real business challenges. Participants also examine how AI can support decision-making across different business functions while maintaining appropriate human oversight.
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Can this program help professionals lead AI adoption within their organizations?
Leading AI adoption requires more than technical knowledge. It involves aligning AI initiatives with business priorities, preparing teams for change and establishing effective governance.
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials explores how organizations can evaluate AI opportunities and build readiness for implementation. Participants also examine the cultural, ethical and operational considerations that support responsible AI deployment.
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How do I build business fluency and strategic decision-making skills?
Building business fluency requires an understanding of how different parts of an organization work together to create value. Strategic decision-making develops through the ability to evaluate opportunities, understand trade-offs and respond effectively to changing business conditions.
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials from the Rotman School of Management helps you strengthen cross-functional business knowledge through MBA-level foundations and practical frameworks. You will also learn how to interpret business performance, respond to market shifts and make informed decisions in complex environments.
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Who should take the Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials?
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their business foundations while developing the ability to apply AI strategically in organizational settings.
It is particularly valuable for professionals preparing for broader leadership responsibilities. The program can also benefit entrepreneurs scaling their businesses, leaders responsible for AI initiatives and consultants supporting transformation efforts across organizations.
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How should I choose a business and AI strategy program?
Choosing a business and AI strategy program depends on your career goals, current responsibilities and the capabilities you want to develop. Consider whether the curriculum provides practical application, relevant faculty expertise and exposure to emerging business challenges.
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials from the Rotman School of Management combines MBA-level business foundations with applied AI learning. The result is a practical learning experience that helps professionals strengthen business fluency while developing AI leadership capabilities.
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Can a business and AI strategy program help me become a more effective leader?
Effective leadership increasingly requires the ability to understand business fundamentals, evaluate emerging technologies and make decisions that create long-term value.
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials helps strengthen leadership effectiveness by building business judgment and strategic thinking. Through case studies, faculty guidance and applied learning, participants develop the confidence to navigate complexity and lead organizational change.
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What kind of experience do I need for the Executive Program in MBA Essentials and AI Strategy?
Participants in the Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials come from a wide range of professional backgrounds. This includes professionals working in business, technology, operations, consulting and leadership roles.
The program is best suited for individuals who want to strengthen business fundamentals, improve strategic decision-making and apply AI more effectively within their organizations. The frameworks and insights explored in the program can be applied across industries and functions.
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How can professionals evaluate AI opportunities and investments more effectively?
As organizations increase investment in AI, leaders need a practical approach to determining where value can be created. This requires balancing potential impact with implementation realities and long-term business priorities.
The Executive Program in AI Strategy and MBA Essentials introduces frameworks that help professionals evaluate AI opportunities from a strategic perspective. Participants learn how to assess potential value, weigh trade-offs and make investment decisions that support organizational goals.
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 +1 985 616 5261 (US) / +44 127 959 4639 (UK) / +65 3138 5295 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
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