AI for business courses: 15 top short programs at leading b-schools such as Harvard and MIT Sloan

AI is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand skills that recruiters are looking for. Even if you’re a business leader who hasn’t studied for a few years, it’s important to know the latest trends and developments in this area. 

Global employers rank use of AI tools as the future skill that is growing fastest in terms of its importance, according to our  Corporate Recruiters Survey 2025. 

To meet this need, business schools are increasingly integrating AI-related content into their curriculums, and Harvard Business School recently introduced an AI course requirement for its MBA students. 

So if you feel you need to learn more about AI and how it can help your business thrive, check out our 15 short programs in AI from the world’s top business schools. And there’s no need to stop working to train in this area, as these are all short programs you can do around your daily work. 

AI for business courses: Top short programs

Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy

MIT Sloan 

Program length: 6 weeks, 6-8 hours per week

Cost: Multiple payment options

This MIT Sloan program is jointly offered with MIT CSAIL and aims to offer a conceptual understanding of AI technologies from a business perspective. Delivered online, it provides an understanding of what generative AI is and how it works, focusing on how business leaders can integrate AI management insights into their organizations. The aim is to provide understanding into how leaders can work with generative AI to drive value, as well as covering machine learning and robotics.

AI for Business

INSEAD

Program length: 5 days

Cost: $13,250 (€11,200)

This INSEAD course aims to teach business leaders how AI can benefit their industry, as well as the legal, ethical, and logistical challenges associated with AI. The program is for leaders and senior executives, with five to 12 years of experience, who want to incorporate AI models into their businesses in a digital world. The course takes place in-person over five days, showing business leaders how to get the most out of their AI in-house experts, to communicate with data scientists, and apply insights to meet business needs.

Leadership Program in AI and Analytics

Wharton

Program length: 6 months

Cost: $18,700

This course takes place online and is aimed at business leaders with a minimum of 10 years of experience. It aims to provide insight on how to drive innovation and promote business growth in the age of AI, so leaders can leverage these tools to analyze past performance and forecast future trends. Taking place over six months, the course consists of self-paced modules and live webinars, but also includes an optional two-day on-campus event on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia.

Artificial Intelligence for Business Advantage

Bentley University

Program length: 3 days

Cost: $5,250 

This three day, in-person course is aimed at leaders responsible for strategy, growth or innovation. The program covers understanding of AI, how algorithms can enhance market leadership, the ethical implications of AI, and how to direct AI to achieve business goals and boost productivity. The course features an engineering certificate component, as well as guided instruction by faculty, and offers a hands-on perspective using relevant tools and technology, including ChatGPT.

The Business of AI: Strategies for Leaders

London Business School

Program length: 10 weeks, 3-5 hours per week

Cost: $3,125 (£2,305)

This program is targeted towards executives and mid-to-senior level managers with eight or more years of leadership experience. The course is delivered online, and aims to teach the advantages and limitations of AI and machine learning, explaining how these can be leveraged to create business value. The course is taught in two phases, first providing an understanding of the technology, then how appropriate AI technologies can be applied to business challenges and data sources. The program can also be taken as part of the Certificate in Management.

Business Analytics in the Age of Generative AI

London Business School

Program length: 6 weeks, 4-5 hours per week

Cost: $3,125 (£2,305)

Also offered by London Business School, this program is aimed towards mid-senior executives with five or more years of experience. The difference between this and the Business of AI course is that it focuses on data and the evolution of business analytics, teaching how generative AI shapes future strategies, and incorporating data visualization skills and data-centric decision making. By diving into the latest generative AI tools, the course aims to teach how to decipher and use business data independently of data scientists. Again, this program can also be taken as part of the Certificate in Management. 

Generative AI: Technology, Business, and Society Program

Stanford Online

Program length: 34 hours

Cost: $2,985

This program is run by Stanford Online and Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI). It consists of three self-paced courses including Technical Fundamentals of Generative AI, Business Opportunities and Applications of Generative AI, and Human-Centered Generative AI, though these can also be taken individually. The program aims to teach participants how to utilize AI initiatives to boost creativity and productivity, through examining real-world examples from robotics and healthcare, and how to develop business and technological solutions which prioritize human well-being.

AI Essentials for Business

Harvard Business School Online

Program length: 4 weeks, 5-7 hours per week

Cost: $1,850

This online Harvard course aims to teach business leaders how to compete in the age of AI, through building, leading and operating AI-powered organizations. The four-week program is self-paced with regular deadlines, and targeted towards business professionals, current and aspiring leaders, and functional specialists. The program covers the evolving AI landscape, aiming to help participants develop the skills and framework necessary to implement AI strategies and shape digital transformation.  

AI for Managers

ESMT Berlin

Program length: 4 days

Cost: $5,675 (€4,800)

ESMT has partnered with Europe’s largest AI investment platform Merantix, to provide this four day face-to-face program on the ESMT and Merantix AI campus in Berlin. Directed towards mid to senior level executives with eight or more years of experience, the course covers topics such as AI strategy and governance, AI compliance, and AI implementation. The program aims to teach the practical applications of AI, offering networking opportunities with business leaders and the AI startup scene, and enabling participants to reflect and work on their own AI agendas.

The Business of AI: Shaping the Future of Businesses with Generative AI

Columbia Business School

Program length: 4 days

Cost: $10,250-$10,550

This short, in-person course is for senior level professionals, consultants and technical experts, and senior executives, and offered in both New York and Paris. The program aims to combine theory and a comprehensive understanding of AI technologies with the tools needed to drive actionable strategies, teaching participants how to incorporate these applications into their business approach. The Columbia-based program provides access to the local AI business network in New York City, including visits to leading technology companies.

AI Strategies for Business Transformation

Kellogg School of Management

Program length: 8 weeks, 4-6 hours per week

Cost: $2,848

The Kellogg program is designed for senior executives responsible for digital transformation strategies and AI integration, including executives, senior technology leaders, functional heads and department leaders, and AI policy advisors, consultants, and investors. The course combines interactive discussions, activities and practical assignments to teach participants to assess the impact of AI, generative AI, and agentic AI. The program also aims to provide an understanding of how to identify high-value AI use cases, and how to apply frameworks to design an AI transformation plan.

Generative Artificial Intelligence: From Hype to Business Impact

Cambridge Judge Business School

Program length: 3 days

Cost: $6,775 (£5,000)

Cambridge Judge offers a three-day, face-to-face program that aims to bring to life the extent of how generative AI can impact business growth. For mid to senior executives, functional managers and business leaders looking to integrate technical AI into their organization’s business functions, the three-module program includes teaching on AI in practice, ethics and the future of AI, and AI and business strategy. The program also counts towards the Cambridge Judge Business School General Management Certificate of Achievement.

Oxford Artificial Intelligence Program

University of Oxford Saïd Business School

Program length: 6 weeks

Cost: $3,200 (£2,450)

The Oxford Artificial Intelligence Program is designed for business leaders, managers, and technical professionals aiming to gain insight into the workings, possibilities, and ethics of AI technology. The online program is delivered alongside the digital education provider GetSmarter, and aims to give participants an understanding of the mechanics behind AI, its future potential and possible challenges. Topics covered include a history of AI and machine learning, working with intelligent machines, deep learning and neural networks, and how to drive AI in business.

AI for Business Innovation: Beyond Generative AI

Imperial College Business School

Program length: 6 weeks, 4-6 hours per week

Cost: $2,050 (£1,334)

This online program, aimed at managers or leaders eager to incorporate AI for strategic growth and decision-making, focuses on AI as a career advancement strategy. It aims to teach about the effectiveness of generative AI in business decisions, and also analyze the ethical issues that using AI in business environments may raise. There is plenty of hands-on experience, and the course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI technologies that leaders can integrate into their business strategies.

Generative AI and AI/ML Digital Upskilling

Villanova School of Business

Program length: n/a

Cost: n/a

The Villanova program is targeted towards corporate and nonprofit executives, senior managers, and high-potential professionals, and aims to teach participants how to guide their organizations through identifying AI and machine learning opportunities. The course covers a range of topics, including data preparation, enterprise patterns, customizing AI and machine learning solutions, fostering an AI and machine learning culture, and measuring return on investment.