Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing society, whether you like it or not. These 7 business schools are offering A.I. certificate programs to help you get ahead

It may be difficult to find a company nowadays—whether a tech start-up or Fortune 500 corporation—without a team working on implementing A.I. and machine learning into its business model.
Following the sharp rise in popularity of A.I. tools like ChatGPT, companies like Microsoft, Google, and Chegg, for instance, are rolling out their own programs powered by generative A.I. Another example is Salesforce—which recently had an “A.I. Day” and announced over a dozen new A.I. features.
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A.I. is opening the door for immense innovation opportunities across industry sectors, like transportation, retail, and finance, says Yixin Lu, an associate professor of information systems at the George Washington University School of Business.
“A.I. is revolutionizing the way we live, work, and interact with each other,” she adds.
But for thousands of workers, A.I. is replacing their careers altogether—with cashiers, bank tellers, and data entry clerks among some of the most at risk.
While A.I. is likely to continue to cause job market adjustments, a study released this month by the United Nations’ International Labour Organization calms widespread negative impact. It notes that A.I. tools like ChatGPT are more likely to complement jobs rather than destroy them.
The study reveals that in high-income nations like the U.S., only 5.5% of total employment is potentially exposed to generative A.I.—adding that the risk is even smaller in poorer countries. But this is all dependent on how A.I. deployment is handled by policymakers.
“Having a solid understanding of its concepts, applications, and implications is crucial for everyone who seeks to navigate the A.I. fueled business world as consumers, marketers, innovators, or policy makers,” Lu tells Fortune. “The increasing penetration of A.I. tools is poised to shape the future of our society. As such, studying A.I. is not only important, but also necessary to be well prepared for one’s future endeavors.”
So, for those looking down the barrel of A.I., finding a way to retool and learn in-demand skills may help propel you into an advanced career in the world of tech—with a high-paying salary. At Meta, the starting base salary for A.I. and machine learning technical program managers is $193,000. At Apple, machine learning engineers start at $199,800.
One starting point to achieve these careers is obtaining a certificate in A.I. Mostly online and some as low as $599, programs can provide students with the necessary technical, financial, and ethical skills. Plus, students can learn on their own time over the course of a few weeks.
The programs can provide a quicker learning route—and at a much cheaper cost—than seeking a master’s degree in A.I. or an MBA with an A.I. concentration.
Lu says a certificate program can greatly enhance career prospects due in part to candidates’ “forward-thinking mindset.”
Along with George Washington University, top business schools at universities like Northwestern, MIT, and UPenn offer certificate programs in A.I. to help train the next generation of tech leaders.
A.I. based-algorithms may pose the greatest threat as well as opportunity for human progress, says Kartik Hosanagar, Wharton School professor of operations, information, and decisions. Enrolling in a certificate program is one way to explore these challenges and gain a foundational understanding in A.I. from a business lens.
Whether you are just starting out, or are already mid-career, Fortune has compiled a list of accredited business schools offering certificate programs that may help you be a company’s next leader in A.I.
Georgia State University
- Program: Robinson College of Business—Artificial intelligence business innovation graduate certificate
- Length: 9 months (2 semesters)
- Cost: $8,508/semester (out-of-state rate)
- Format: In-person or online
- Course/module examples: Introduction to Programming and Predictive Analytics for Business; Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Business; Advanced Analytics Experience
George Washington University
- Program: GW School of Business—Graduate certificate in artificial intelligence
- Length: 12 credit hours
- Cost: $24,996 (non-degree tuition)
- Format: In-person
- Course/module examples: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence; Internet of Things Management; Business Applications of Artificial Intelligence
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Program: Sloan School of Management—Artificial intelligence: implications for business strategy executive certificate
- Length: 6 weeks
- Cost: $3,200
- Format: Online
- Course/module examples: Machine Learning in Business; Robotics in Business; The Future of Artificial Intelligence
Northwestern University
- Program: Kellogg School of Management—A.I. applications for growth certificate
- Length: 2 months
- Cost: $2,600
- Format: Online
- Course/module examples: The A.I. Revolution: Trends, Tools, and Applications; A.I. Applications in Autonomous Vehicles and Transportation; A.I. and Operations Management
University of Pennsylvania
- Program: Wharton School—Artificial intelligence for business certificate
- Length: 4–6 weeks
- Cost: $599
- Format: Online
- Course/module examples: Data Management Infrastructure; Machine Learning in Finance: Fraud Detection; Risks with A.I.
University of Texas—Austin
- Program: McCombs School of Business—Post graduate program in artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Length: 6 months/600+ learning hours
- Cost: $3,800
- Format: Online
- Course/module examples: Python Foundations; Introduction to Neural Networks; Demystifying ChatGPT and Applications
University of Maryland
- Program: Smith School of Business—Artificial intelligence for business leaders professional certificate
- Length: 30–40 hours of content
- Cost: $999
- Format: Online
- Course/module examples: Leveraging Machine Learning to Better Predict Business Demand; Saving Lives with Deep Learning; Managing Risk with Big Data
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About the Contributors

Preston Fore is a reporter at Fortune, covering education and personal finance for the Success team.

Jasmine Suarez was a senior editor at Fortune where she leads coverage for careers, education and finance. In the past, she’s worked for Business Insider, Adweek, Red Ventures, McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and more.
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