• Live Online
    Session Date
    -
    Application Deadline
    Program Fee
    $2495
    Faculty Chair
    Mark Fagan
    Program Director
    Tatyana Schlehuber
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    The AI in Action: Organizational Strategy for the Responsible Adoption of AI program can be even more impactful when you and your leadership team attend together. To support teams of 5 or more participants from the same organization, we are offering a 10% discount per person. Each participant must submit an individual application for admission. If you have any questions or would like more information about how to apply as a team, please reach out to the Program Director, Tatyana Schlehuber.

    Executive Certificate: This program is a core program in the Technology and Public Leadership concentrations. This program can also be used as a third program for several concentrations in the Executive Certificate series.

Program Overview

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have the capacity to transform the operation of organizations across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors to deliver improved services and lower costs. For many organizations, determining how, when, and where to integrate AI into their work while also navigating the risks it poses, can be a significant challenge.

AI in Action provides frameworks and tools for responsible AI adoption and exposes participants to the process of building AI algorithms. Join HKS faculty and guest speakers to examine the benefits and risks of AI, explore real-world successes and failures, and develop a pilot plan to introduce AI into your organization and become an informed leader for AI-driven transformation. 

Program Fit and Focus: 

AI in Action is designed for leaders who are considering AI for their organizations or departments and want to gain a basic understanding of the science behind AI and the tools to engage with it responsibly and effectively to improve service delivery for constituents and/or customers. 

While the curriculum offers examples of how AI algorithms are built, it does not include technical instruction in coding, data science, or machine-learning development.

Curriculum

This online program consists of three modules: 

Module 1: Overview of AI (2 hours)

Format: 1 live interactive lecture

Explore the transformative potential of AI — from automation and prediction to generative AI— for enhanced, more cost-effective service delivery. By examining real-world scenarios, you'll weigh the benefits and risks of using AI and best practices for adoption. This module lays the critical foundation for the content covered in Modules 2 and 3. 

Module 2: Use of AI in Organizations (Four 90-minute sessions)

Format: 4 live interactive sessions with small peer group discussions

This module gives participants direct, practical experience with building and using AI models. It examines case examples to explore the benefits and pitfalls of AI applications in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Due to their complex nature (i.e., many stakeholders, mandated service delivery, complicated procurement), public-sector scenarios will be highlighted. Learning from the challenges and successes of others, you'll discover how to identify pain points and define what success looks like in your organization. 

Module 3: Identification and Prioritization of AI Uses for Your Organization (Six 90-minute sessions)

Format: 6 live interactive sessions with small peer group discussions 

In a workshop setting, you'll gain additional experience building and using AI models and explore a framework for adopting AI in your organization. Learn how to identify and prioritize the use of appropriate AI applications to address your unique pain points. Plus, propose your challenge, receive feedback, and refine your thinking as part of a small group of participants. This module will prepare you to lead the conversation about AI adoption in your organization, and you'll leave with an AI roadmap and the scaffolding for an AI pilot design. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of all three AI in Action modules, you'll be able to: 

  • Understand the basics of AI, including what it is, how it works, and its benefits and risks.
  • Explain how organizations are using AI today and reference current best practices.
  • Confidently lead discussions about the use of AI in your organization.
  • Apply a framework based on your organization's needs to identify and prioritize opportunities for AI use.
  • Develop a plan for making your ideas a reality, including through a pilot.

Participants must complete all three modules to earn a Certificate of Completion. 

Application Information

AI in Action is designed for leaders who are considering AI for their organizations or departments and want to engage with it responsibly and effectively to improve service delivery for constituents and/or customers. Ideal participants include:

  • Government professionals at the local, regional, and national levels

  • Professionals in nonprofit and non-governmental organizations

  • Business professionals  

 

View a sample schedule.

 

Hear from the Faculty Chair

Mark Fagan discusses the AI and Action program.

Faculty & Research

Mark Fagan Photo

Mark Fagan

Lecturer in Public Policy

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