Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU Olin) announced two new offerings related to AI: a scholarship for their Master’s in AI for Business program, and additional executive education training, called AI Transformation for Business.
Joe MacDonald, deputy dean at WashU Olin Business, remarks, “AI is creating one of the most significant opportunities for reinvention in the workforce we’ve seen in decades. Universities have a critical role to play, not only in helping individuals build new skills, but in working alongside organizations to shape how AI is applied in the real world.”
Master’s in AI for Business Scholarship
WashU Olin’s Master of Science in AI for Business is a one-year, on-campus program designed to prepare students to integrate AI into business strategy, operations and decision-making. The first cohort will matriculate this coming fall. The new AI Workforce Transformation Scholarship is intended for applicants who have been impacted by AI, automation or other tech changes, whether through significant changes in responsibility, job loss, prolonged unemployment or struggles to find work post-degree. To be considered for the scholarship, which covers $10,000 in tuition, applicants are encouraged to use the optional essay in the MS in AI application to explain how AI or related tech have impacted their career.
The curriculum for the MS in AI was developed in response to the changing business landscape amid the rise of AI. WashU Olin collaborated with corporate partners to align with core business disciplines (finance, marketing, technical) and emphasize practical application of AI within core business functions.
Beyond the Classroom: Helping Organizations Thrive with AI
The new AI-focused executive education offering, AI Transformation for Business, is designed to help organizations move from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact. The customizable series of trainings are delivered within organizations, providing participants with practical frameworks to guide AI adoption, handle risk and governance, and reimagine workflows, operating models and talent in an AI-enabled organization.
“We’ve been piloting this work with organizations that are already leading in AI,” said Seth Carnahan, an associate professor of strategy at WashU Olin Business. “While many organizations have access to the same AI models, the ones pulling ahead are those investing in redesigning processes and enabling their people to use the technology effectively. That’s where our programs are focused, with an emphasis on helping leaders translate AI into how work actually gets done and where it drives the most value.”
Read the full announcement here.
