Driving Measurable AI Impact Across the Enterprise
AI is now fundamental to how organizations compete, operate, and innovate. Yet many leaders struggle to move beyond pilots to scalable business outcomes. This executive-level program prepares you to think strategically about generative and agentic AI, identify high-value opportunities, and lead responsible AI transformation that delivers measurable business returns.
Certificate Overview
The Strategic Leadership in the Age of Generative and Agentic AI certificate program prepares you to translate AI investments into real, scalable business value while keeping human judgment at the core.
Through a rigorous sequence of five courses, weekly live sessions with The University of Chicago faculty and industry experts, and applied AI Acceleration Projects, you will build AI fluency, evaluate high-impact use cases, design scalable workflows, and establish governance frameworks that support responsible enterprise-wide adoption.
By the end of the program, you will be equipped to lead ethical, high-impact AI transformation across your organization.
Are You Looking to Lead AI at a Strategic Level?
Today’s leaders must understand not only how AI works, but how to deploy it responsibly, scale it effectively, and align it with organizational strategy. This program equips you to move from experimentation to execution, ensuring AI becomes a sustainable driver of enterprise performance.
Strategic Leadership in the Age of Generative and Agentic AI – Curriculum
This certificate program includes the following five integrated courses, out of which 4 conclude with a hands-on AI Acceleration Project applied to your real business context:
This certificate includes the following courses:
Strategic AI: What Business Leaders Need to Know Now
Develop foundational AI literacy and understand how AI supports data-driven decision-making, business value creation, and competitive strategy.
Agentic and Generative AI for Business
Explore how generative and agentic AI are transforming productivity, automation, decision-making, and customer experiences across industries.
Generative AI at Work: Workflows and Customization
Learn how to design AI workflows, customize LLMs, reduce hallucinations, implement governance controls, and operationalize AI solutions.
Building and Leading AI-Powered Teams
Focus on workforce planning, KPIs, adoption challenges, talent strategies, and leading high-performing human–AI teams.
AI Governance and Responsible Leadership
Develop governance frameworks, translate AI risk into business language, and design responsible innovation strategies for long-term sustainability.
At the end of each course, you will complete an AI Acceleration Project that applies the course frameworks directly to a real business challenge within your organization.
After Completing the Program, You Will Be Able To:
- Evaluate foundational AI concepts, capabilities, and risks
- Identify and prioritize high-value AI initiative
- Design scalable AI workflows and operating models
- Lead human–AI teams for sustained performance
- Translate AI risk into actionable governance policies
- Drive measurable business impact through responsible AI adoption
Participants who successfully complete the program receive a certificate of completion from The University of Chicago and digital badge and become part of the UChicago global alumni community.
Meet The Faculty Director
Greg Green, PhD
Senior Instructional Professor and Director, MS in Applied Data Science Program, University of Chicago
Senior Director for Industrial Partnerships and Strategy, Data Science Institute
Dr. Greg Green serves as the Faculty Director for this Professional Certificate Program. He is a Senior Instructional Professor and Director of the MS in Applied Data Science Program at the University of Chicago, as well as Senior Director for Industrial Partnerships and Strategy at the Data Science Institute. He helps bridge academic research with industry applications, equipping participants with real-world data science skills.
Dr. Green has reshaped the curriculum to align with advancements in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, and Financial Mathematics. He has launched innovative courses such as “Leadership and Consulting in Data Science and AI,” “Machine Learning,” and “Your Career in Data Science,” ensuring participants develop technical expertise and industry insight.
With leadership roles at Vericast, Google, Publicis Groupe, and PwC, Dr. Green has applied data science to drive digital strategy, product innovation, and business transformation. His patented cloud-based media analytics platform was featured in Harvard Business Review and Fast Company, highlighting his impact on data-driven decision-making.
As an educator and industry expert, Dr. Green remains committed to preparing the next generation of data scientists with the skills to lead in an evolving digital world.
Meet The Teaching Team and Contributors
These instructors teach this program regularly. If you wish to know the current teacher of each course, please speak to your enrollment advisor.
Fouad Bousetouane, Ph.D
Lecturer in Generative AI, University of Chicago
Co-Founder and Chief AI Officer, InterspectAI
Dr. Fouad Bousetouane is an award-winning AI expert, educator, and innovation leader. He is the Co-Founder and Chief AI Officer at InterspectAI, where he pioneers AI-augmented solutions that transform industries. He also serves as a lecturer at the University of Chicago, where he teaches Generative AI and Agentic Systems and mentors graduate students on real-world, high-impact projects.
Dr. Bousetouane has led global AI and innovation initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, delivering transformative solutions across sectors. He is a published author and holds more than 50 patents and trade secrets in artificial intelligence. His work has earned international recognition, including being named among the Top 30 AI Scientists by MIT Technology Review, receiving the Timmy Award for Best Tech Manager in Chicago, and being recognized as one of the Top Emerging Leaders in the United States by Marquis Emerging Leaders Magazine.
A champion of ethical and accessible AI, Dr. Bousetouane is committed to making next-generation technologies understandable, practical, and actionable for everyone.
Michael Butts
Founder & CEO, Burtch Works
Michael Butts is the Chief Executive Officer of Burtch Works, one of North America’s leading talent solutions and consulting firms specializing in AI, Data, and Engineering. He oversees the firm’s strategic vision, operational execution, and expansion across executive search, contract staffing, fractional CxO leadership, and project-based (SOW) consulting. Under his leadership, Burtch Works has become a trusted advisor to Fortune 100 companies, private equity firms, and fast-growing startups, helping them accelerate AI transformation and build high-performing, AI-driven teams.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience, Michael is known for aligning business strategy, technology innovation, and human capital to deliver measurable enterprise value. A frequent keynote speaker and thought leader on AI and leadership, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Economist, CNBC, The Chicago Tribune, InformationWeek, and CDO Magazine. He is an active member of the Staffing Industry Analysts, the Forbes Technology Council, and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Under his guidance, Burtch Works has cultivated a culture grounded in intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and growth mindset. The firm has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Recruiting Firms and has appeared three consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. His leadership philosophy, rooted in authenticity, innovation, and servant leadership, has made him a respected voice in the AI and talent ecosystem.
Based in the Chicagoland area, Michael is known for his approachable, energetic style. He lives with his wife and three children, maintains an active lifestyle, has completed multiple marathons (including Chicago), and enjoys golfing, snowboarding, fishing, and outdoor exploration. He is also an avid reader and podcast enthusiast focused on leadership, technology, and human potential.
Michael Colella, MS, MA
Senior Director of Global Data Strategy and Analytics, AXS
Michael is a seasoned business & engineering leader, currently working as AXS’ Senior Director of Global Data Strategy & Analytics, where he leads business intelligence, analytics engineering & web analytics.
Prior to working at AXS, Michael was a chief data scientist & technology leader at the Boston Consulting Group through Gamma, their advanced analytics & AI powerhouse.
Michael started his career doing genetics as well as cognitive & behavioral neuroscience research, eventually falling in love with data science – since making that career change, he has never looked back.
Michael has held various senior leadership roles within analytics, including leading global analytic innovation at Kraft Heinz & functioning as the Chief Data Scientist at Upshop.
He has a passion for helping organizations find ways to leverage advanced analytics to hit their financial & marketing goals, scale with success & make AI real for business.
He is a graduate from the University of Chicago & has completed post-graduate work at both MIT & Northwestern. He recently completed his Tech MBA at Columbia University in New York City and is currently a professor at USC.
Patrick McQuillan, MBA
Analytics Executive and Strategy Consultant
Patrick McQuillan is passionate about data as a tool for change and decision-making. He has held leadership roles, including the Global Head of Data Governance and Operational Effectiveness at Wayfair. Previously, he led international consulting teams to drive AI strategy and technology enablement for Fortune 100, government, and higher education clients.
A sought-after subject matter expert in data governance, business intelligence, and AI strategy, McQuillan earned an MBA from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Economics and International Affairs from Northeastern University.
Who Is This Program For?
Participants must have:
Mid- to senior-level executives (minimum 5 years of management experience
Leaders collaborating with technical or cross-functional teams
Professionals responsible for digital transformation and AI strategy
Executives seeking to align business growth with AI-driven innovation
Leaders guiding responsible and sustainable AI adoption
Industry Outlook
36.1
%Projected compound annual growth rate of the global AI-as-a-service market from 2025 to 2030, reflecting rapidly expanding enterprise adoption.
Source: Grand View Research
74
%Business leaders say their most advanced generative AI initiative meets or exceeds ROI expectations, signaling that well-led AI projects are already delivering value.
Source: Deloitte
78
%Organizations reported using AI in at least one business function, a significant increase from 55% in 2023.
Source: McKinsey & Company
Admission Process
1
Application & Fee
Complete the application form and pay the non-refundable application fee.
2
Interview
The Admissions Committee initiates a telephone interview.
3
Evaluation
Your application is formally reviewed.
4
Confirmation
Upon acceptance, you complete tuition payment and receive a welcome email with the next steps
The University of Chicago Approach to Online Learning
Our online learning programs are crafted with your specific needs in mind.
Certificate programs combine e-learning with live, interactive sessions to strengthen your skill set while maximizing your time. We couple academic theory and business knowledge with practical real-world application.
Through online learning sessions, you will have an opportunity to grow your professional network and interact with University of Chicago instructors and your classmates.
Program Benefits
- University of Chicago Certificate of Completion
- Digital badge shareable on LinkedIn
- Exclusive alumni networking access
- Quarterly virtual speed-networking events
- Resume review workshops
- Professional development webinars in collaboration with the Career Transitions Center
(Program benefits subject to change)
Why the University of Chicago?
Becoming part of the University of Chicago community means learning from world-class instructors and engaging with a global network of curious, diverse, and accomplished professionals.
Grounded in rigorous inquiry and analytical thinking, the Chicago Approach emphasizes deep understanding, evidence-based decision-making, and real-world application, equipping you to navigate complexity and translate insight into measurable impact.
Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion from The University of Chicago, along with a digital badge that can be shared across professional platforms.
