The best AI courses for business leaders in 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming business decision-making, driving innovation, and improving efficiency. As AI adoption grows, AI literacy is essential in leadership in order to stay competitive. Online and in-person courses offer valuable insights, equipping executives with the knowledge they need to leverage AI effectively in their organizations.

In this blog we’ll discuss what to look for in an online course, as well as the top 10 courses currently on the market.

What to look for in an AI course for business leaders

When selecting an AI course, consider the following factors to ensure it aligns with your leadership goals:

• Curriculum essentials
  • AI fundamentals: A solid understanding of machine learning, neural networks, and data analytics.
  • Real-world business applications: Insights into how AI can solve business problems and create opportunities.
  • Ethics and governance: Guidance on responsible AI implementation and ethical considerations.
• Practical vs theoretical approaches
  • Hands-on projects: Courses offering practical exercises enable you to apply AI concepts directly to your business context.
  • Case studies: Learning from real-world examples helps understand the practical implications of AI strategies.
• Course format
  • Online vs in-person: Online courses offer flexibility, while in-person sessions may provide more networking opportunities.
  • Self-paced vs instructor-led: Self-paced courses allow you to learn on your schedule, whereas instructor-led courses offer structured timelines and direct interaction.

How to choose the right AI course for your leadership goals

Selecting the best AI course as a business leader requires aligning the course content with your leadership objectives and business needs. Here’s how to make the right choice:

1. Match course content to your business needs

Not all AI courses are designed with executives in mind. Some focus on technical AI development, while others cater to decision-makers and strategists:

• If you need AI strategy knowledge, opt for courses emphasizing business applications, ethics, and governance.
• If you want to understand AI tools but not develop them, choose courses focusing on AI-driven decision-making and automation.
• Look for tailored programs for industry-specific applications (e.g. AI in finance, healthcare, or manufacturing).

2. Consider time commitment and ROI

As a leader, your time is valuable. AI courses vary in duration and intensity:

• Short courses (4-6 weeks): Great for a foundational understanding without major time investment.
• Executive programs (8-12 weeks): Offer in-depth knowledge with real-world applications.
• Full-fledged certifications (3-plus months): Best for leaders who want a strong AI foundation to drive organizational change.

3. Industry-specific AI courses vs general AI knowledge

If AI is shaping your industry significantly (e.g. AI-powered customer analytics in marketing, AI-driven automation in manufacturing), an industry-specific course may be more beneficial. However, a general AI leadership program might be better if you want a broad understanding that applies to multiple business areas.

4. Certification and career impact

Accredited courses from reputable institutions (Harvard, MIT, Stanford) or industry leaders (Google, Microsoft, IBM) can add credibility to your expertise. Certifications can:

• Enhance your professional reputation.
• Demonstrate AI competency in leadership roles.
• Support career advancement and board-level AI strategy involvement.

The 10 best AI courses for business leaders

AI is transforming industries, and business leaders must stay ahead by understanding its applications, challenges, and opportunities. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned executive looking to integrate AI into your business strategy, these courses offer valuable insights.

1. Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy — MIT Sloan

This course by MIT Sloan provides a solid foundation in AI fundamentals, ethical considerations, and real-world applications to help leaders integrate AI into their organizations effectively.

• Best for: Strategic leadership and AI implementation in enterprises
• Institution/Developer: MIT Sloan Executive Education
• What you’ll learn: The fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning; the ethical and strategic considerations in AI adoption; real-world applications of AI across various industries
• Outcomes: Gain a solid understanding of AI’s business applications; enhance your strategic decision-making skills with AI-driven insights; earn a certificate from MIT Sloan Executive Education to showcase your expertise
• Plans/Pricing: $3,850 for a 6-week, requiring an estimated 6-8 hours of study per week

2. AI for Everyone — Coursera

Designed for non-technical professionals, this course, delivered by Andrew Ng, co-founder of Google Brain, demystifies AI concepts. It enables business leaders to recognize AI’s potential, collaborate with AI teams, and implement AI strategies within their organizations.

• Best for: AI beginners and non-technical business leaders
• Institution/Developer: Coursera
• What you’ll learn: Understand key concepts such as neural networks, machine learning, deep learning, and data science; recognize potential areas to apply AI within your organization; develop skills to work effectively with AI teams and formulate AI strategies
• Outcomes: Ability to identify and implement AI solutions to address organizational challenges; learn to communicate and collaborate with AI professionals to drive projects forward; equip yourself to participate in ethical and strategic discussions regarding AI deployment
• Plans/Pricing: Free access (limited), financial aid available

3. AI For Business Leaders — Udacity

This hands-on course equips business professionals with the necessary knowledge to integrate AI into their operations. It covers data management, AI-driven decision-making, and ethical considerations, helping leaders develop a strategic AI roadmap.

• Best for: Business professionals looking for hands-on AI applications
• Institution/Developer: Udacity
• What you’ll learn: Understand the importance of data in ML processes, focusing on data labeling and infrastructure management; develop skills to identify AI opportunities and gather stakeholder feedback; gain a deep yet approachable understanding of how AI and ML systems operate.
• Outcomes: Ability to formulate and evaluate proposals for embedding AI and ML, understanding of the ethical implications and responsibilities associated with AI adoption, experience in developing a strategic AI roadmap through real-world case studies and projects
• Plans/Pricing: The AI for Business Leaders course costs $249/month for a monthly subscription, $212/month for a 4-month bundle ($846 total), or $949 as a one-time payment.

4. Leading AI and Digital Transformation — INSEAD

As AI and digital transformation become central to business success, this in-person course helps executives navigate organizational change, leverage predictive analytics, and build AI-driven strategies for long-term growth.

• Best for: Executives driving digital and AI transformation
• Institution/Developer: INSEAD
• What you’ll learn: Explore effective organizational structures, roles, and cultures that support digital readiness and transformation; understand how disruptions occur and how to leverage digital strategies, including platforms, ecosystems, and more; gain insights into leveraging AI, including predictive analytics and generative AI, within your digital strategies
• Outcomes: Analyze and implement organizational and team capabilities necessary to support a digitally-ready business; acquire digital innovation skills to generate insights and convert them into new business ventures; formulate personal, actionable plans to address strategic, organizational, and innovation-based opportunities
• Plans/Pricing: €11,200 for a 5-day program; this fee covers tuition, course materials, lunches on working days, and the opening and closing dinners. It does not include travel, accommodation, or other personal expenses

5. Artificial Intelligence: Business Strategies and Applications — Berkeley Executive Education

This course offers a deep dive into AI’s transformative potential, helping business executives and strategists manage AI projects, foster innovation, and develop AI-driven business models for competitive advantage.

• Best for: Business executives and strategy professionals
• Institution/Developer: University of California, Berkeley
• What you’ll learn: Gain insights into AI’s current and future potential, including generative AI models and simulations for predictive analytics; develop a foundational understanding of AI technologies to communicate effectively with technical teams and stakeholders; learn how to organize and manage successful AI application projects within your organization
• Outcomes: Develop a personalized strategic perspective on how AI can transform your industry; analyze and implement organizational and team capabilities necessary to support AI-driven business models; acquire AI innovation skills to generate insights and convert them into new business ventures
• Plans/Pricing: Specific pricing details are not provided in the available information

6. The Business of AI: Strategies for Leaders — London Business School

This course, ideal for senior executives, explores AI’s strategic impact across industries. It enables leaders to make informed decisions, leverage AI-driven insights, and drive innovation within their organizations.

• Best for: C-suite executives, senior leaders, mid-to-senior-level functional managers, and product and technology managers
• Institution/Developer: London Business School
• What you’ll learn: Understand the potential and limitations of AI and machine learning (ML) in business contexts; explore real-life examples of AI’s global impact across different industries; discover the strategic impact of generative AI and other emerging technologies
• Outcomes: Gain a solid foundation in AI and ML, allowing you to make informed decisions for your business; develop AI strategies to create value and drive innovation within your organization; ensure your business stays competitive by leveraging AI for long-term strategic growth
• Plans/Pricing: The fee for the program is £2,195

7. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare — Stanford Online

With AI revolutionizing healthcare, this course provides professionals with the tools to evaluate AI applications, improve clinical decision-making, and ensure ethical implementation in real-world medical settings.

• Best for: Healthcare professionals, data scientists, and computer science professionals
• Institution/Developer: Stanford University with Coursera
• What you’ll learn: Learn the fundamentals of clinical data and its role in AI applications; apply AI technologies to improve healthcare innovation and decision-making; evaluate AI applications in healthcare, ensuring their ethical and safe implementation
• Outcomes: Develop the ability to collaborate effectively between the fields of healthcare and computer science; gain a deep understanding of AI’s role in transforming healthcare and clinical decision-making; acquire hands-on experience in evaluating AI applications in real-world healthcare settings
• Plans/Pricing: A monthly subscription is $79

8. AI for Supply Chain Management — Kellogg School of Management

With this course, supply chain leaders can gain insights into AI-driven strategies to optimize efficiency, align supply and demand, and mitigate risks, ultimately enhancing profitability and operational resilience.

• Best for: Supply chain leaders and logistics professionals
• Institution/Developer: Northwestern University (Kellogg School of Management)
• What you’ll learn: Develop strategies to design supply chains that enhance profitability; use product design, strategic sourcing, and contracts to align supply and demand efficiently; identify supply chain risks and formulate mitigation strategies
• Outcomes: Design and implement supply chains that contribute to improved profitability; foster better coordination and collaboration within the supply chain; achieve efficient matching of supply and demand through strategic approaches
• Plans/Pricing: The program offers two sessions:
  • In-person session from April 29-May 2, 2025, at Wieboldt Hall on the Chicago Campus; the fee is $7,650, which includes lodging and most meals
  • Live Virtual Session: October 20-24, 2025; the fee is $5,850

9. Generative AI for Business Leaders — LinkedIn Learning

This LinkedIn Learning course empowers business leaders to harness generative AI for innovation and competitive advantage while addressing ethical considerations and potential risks associated with AI adoption.

• Best for: Business leaders and executives
• Institution/Developer: LinkedIn Learning
• What you’ll learn: Gain insights into the principles and functionalities of generative AI technologies; learn how to effectively incorporate generative AI into business operations to foster innovation and competitive advantage; understand the ethical implications and responsibilities associated with deploying AI solutions
• Outcomes: Develop the ability to make informed decisions regarding AI investments and implementations; leverage generative AI to create innovative products and services, thereby gaining a competitive edge in the market; identify and address potential risks associated with AI deployment, ensuring ethical and responsible use of technology
• Plans/Pricing: Free

10. AI Governance: Technology, Ethics and Institutions — University of Oxford

AI governance is crucial for responsible AI deployment. This course explores ethical frameworks, regulatory challenges, and institutional approaches to AI governance, providing professionals with a comprehensive understanding of AI’s societal impact.

• Best for: Professionals, policymakers, academics, and students
• Institution/Developer: University of Oxford
• What you’ll learn: The historical evolution of AI, including key technological advancements; the political, economic, security, and diplomatic dimensions of AI governance; ethical considerations related to AI implementation
• Outcomes: Gain a comprehensive understanding of AI governance and its challenges; analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of governance models in regulating AI; understand the role of AI ethics in global decision-making
• Plans/Pricing:

• In-person attendance: £120 (includes tea/coffee)
• Virtual attendance: £110
• Optional lunch:
• Baguette Lunch: £7.30
• Hot Lunch: £19.25
• Funding: UK state benefit recipients and full-time students may be eligible for a 50 percent tuition fee reduction.

Future-proof your leadership with AI education

AI is not just a technological trend — it’s a fundamental shift in how you operate and compete. Leaders who invest in AI education benefit from data-driven decision-making, enhanced efficiency, and innovation leadership.

Staying informed will be key to remaining competitive as AI continues to evolve. Whether through a short course or an in-depth executive program, understanding AI’s business applications is an investment in your future leadership success. So, are you ready to learn?

Photo by Jack Sparrow