Microsoft launches AI business school

Business news | March 12, 2019

By Rich Pell

The free Microsoft AI Business School is a master class series designed to help business leaders implement AI across their companies, address cultural changes that AI requires companies to make, and build and use AI in ways that are responsible, protect privacy and security, and comply with government rules and regulations.

“There is a gap between what people want to do and the reality of what is going on in their organizations today, and the reality of whether their organization is ready,” says Mitra Azizirad, corporate vice president for AI marketing at Microsoft. “Developing a strategy for AI extends beyond the business issues. It goes all the way to the leadership, behaviors and capabilities required to instill an AI-ready culture in your organization.”

The AI Business School course materials include brief written case studies and guides, as well as videos of lectures, perspectives, and talks that busy executives can access in small doses when they have time. A series of short introductory videos provide an overview of the AI technologies driving change across industries, but, says the company, the bulk of the content focuses on managing the impact of AI on company strategy, culture, and responsibility.

“This school is a deep dive into how you develop a strategy and identify blockers before they happen in the implementation of AI in your organization,” says Azizirad.

The business school, says the company, complements other AI learning initiatives across Microsoft, including the developer-focused AI School and the Microsoft Professional Program for Artificial Intelligence, which provides job-ready skills and real-world experience to engineers and others looking to improve their skills in AI and data science.

Microsoft AI