When will I get access to the course?

Once your payment is successfully processed, you’ll receive an email granting you access to the course content within two hours. To maximize your 90-day access period, we strongly recommend logging into the course platform as soon as you receive this notification. If you plan to pay online using a credit card, you may do so at any time. If you’ve selected an alternative payment method, please allow additional time for processing: Western Union - 3 business days Domestic Wire - 5 business days International Wire - 14 business days Loans - 12 business days

What’s the difference between AI Essentials for Business and AI for Leaders? Which course is right for me?

AI Essentials for Business and AI for Leaders align with distinct stages of organizational AI adoption and leadership readiness. AI Essentials for Business is designed for business professionals, functional specialists, and aspiring leaders who want to develop a foundational understanding of AI and its business implications. It uses a conceptual, narrative-driven approach, featuring longer, conversational videos and real-world examples, to provide broad AI awareness for a wide range of non-technical learners. AI for Leaders is tailored for digital transformation leaders, AI champions, and startup founders ready to drive, implement, and scale AI initiatives within their organizations. The course emphasizes hands-on, action-oriented learning—using immersive, real-world cases, concise, professionally produced videos, and practical, interactive exercises—empowering leaders to drive AI transformation. Neither course requires technical expertise. AI Essentials for Business is ideal for organizations just beginning their AI journey, while AI for Leaders is best suited for those prepared to operationalize AI strategies and drive tangible organizational change.

What are the learning requirements in order to successfully complete the course and how are grades assigned?

Participants in AI Essentials for Business are eligible for a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Business School Online. Participants are expected to fully complete all coursework in a thoughtful and timely manner. This means completing each course module and fully answering questions posed therein by the required deadline. In addition to module assignment completion, we expect participation in the social learning elements of the course by offering feedback on others’ reflections and contributing to conversations on the platform. Participants who fail to complete the course requirements won’t receive a certificate or be eligible to retake the course. More detailed information on course requirements will be communicated at the start of the program. No grades are assigned for AI Essentials for Business. Participants will be evaluated as complete or not complete.

What materials will I have access to after completing AI Essentials for Business?

You’ll have access to the materials in every prior module as you progress through the program. Access to course materials and the course platform ends after the 90-day on-demand access window.

How should I list my certificate on my resume?

Once you've earned your Certificate of Completion, list it on your resume along with the date of completion: Harvard Business School Online Certificate in AI Essentials for Business [On-Demand Start Month and Year] List your certificate on your LinkedIn profile under "Education" with the language from the Credential Verification page: School: Harvard Business School Online Dates Attended: [The year you participated in the program] Degree: Other; Certificate in AI Essentials for Business Field of Study: Leave blank Grade: Complete Activities and Societies: Leave blank For the program description on LinkedIn, please use the following: AI Essentials for Business is a 4-module, 25-hour online certificate program from Harvard Business School. The course equips business professionals with a comprehensive approach to building, leading, and operating ethical AI-powered organizations

Digital Transformation & AI

AI Essentials for Business

Understand how AI is transforming business and identify practical opportunities to apply it. Learn on your schedule with 90 days of full access starting the day you enroll.

Format
On-Demand
Time
16-24 hrs, 4-6 hrs/module
Price
$1,949

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Key Concepts

Understand the evolving AI landscape
Discover diverse applications of AI, machine learning, predictive modeling, and data science
Explore ethical AI-related challenges to implement it responsibly and manage risks
Develop the frameworks to shape your organization’s digital transformation strategy
Rethink your system, processes, and roles to build an AI-powered organization
Learn how generative AI connects to your organization and its impact on business and operating models

Who Will Benefit

Explore AI-based business and operational models that could unlock and deliver value for your organization.

The course’s content and teaching method through case studies and practical examples was remarkable.
Vishal Vyas; Assistant Vice President at TTK Healthcare Limited

82%

Felt more confident leading initiatives at work

11x

Return on investment with an average $20,466 salary increase

91%

Acquired new skills that were immediately applicable

What You'll Earn

Learn More

Certificate of completion from Harvard Business School Online awarded to Danica Marise for finishing the AI Essentials for Business program. — **Certificate of Completion**
Boost your resume with a Certificate of Completion from HBS Online
Earn by completing this course

Harvard Business School Online certificate for Kasey Laporte in Digital Transformation and AI. — **Certificate of Specialization**
Prove your mastery of digital transformation & AI
Earn by completing any three courses in this subject area to earn a Certificate of Specialization

Course Syllabus

4 Weeks, 16-24 Hours, 90-day access window

Download full syllabus (pdf)

Module 1

The Age of AI

5-6 Hours

Explore the characteristics of an AI-powered firm, its impact on business and operating models, and the components and outputs of the AI factory.

Highlights

Dr. Alan Qi, Vice President and AI Chief Scientist, Ant Group

Module 2

The Rise of Generative AI

4-5 Hours

Describe the science behind generative AI, ways to incorporate it into your business processes, the collision between traditional and AI-powered companies, and that clash’s impact on digital transformation.

Highlights

Iavor Bojinov, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

Module 3

Strategy: Network Effects and Learning Effects

5-6 Hours

Understand network and learning effects’ impact on business strategy and how they can be used to create value. Explore ethical considerations related to AI and mitigation strategies for responsible use.

Highlights

Mitchell Baker, CEO and Chairwoman, Mozilla

Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited India

Concepts

Strategy: Network Effects and Learning Effects
Ethics of Digital Scale, Scope, and Learning

Featured Exercises

Analyze your company’s strategy across three key pillars: product value, network value, and data value
Explore how businesses can adopt the platform model
Identify risks related to digital amplification, algorithmic bias, cybersecurity, privacy, and inclusiveness
Craft a presentation about your AI project for stakeholders and outline how it will contribute to your organization’s digital transformation

Module 4

Transformation Journey

4-5 Hours

Explore digital transformation as a continuum and the four key levers driving it in organizations: strategy, governance, architecture, and culture. Recognize how AI is transforming business across industries and geographies and why it’s vital to accelerate your AI journey now.

Highlights

Bratin Saha, Vice President and General Manager of Machine Learning Services, Amazon AI

Dr. Gina Neff, Professor of Technology and Society, Oxford Internet Institute and the Department of Sociology, University of Oxford

Led by World-Renowned HBS Faculty

HBS Online courses are taught by Harvard Business School faculty, bringing the renowned HBS classroom experience directly to you.

Experience

AI Essentials for Business will enable you to build leading, responsible AI-powered organizations. You’ll explore AI-based business and operational models and how to implement them ethically to capitalize on new market opportunities and deliver a competitive advantage.

Immersive Learning

Stay active by engaging in a new activity every three to five minutes.

HBS Online courses allow you to immerse yourself in a
dynamic, interactive learning experience. You’ll engage in a new activity every
three to five minutes and apply your knowledge through polls, quizzes, and
problem-solving exercises designed to accelerate and reinforce your learning.

Real-World Connections

Get social by collaborating and networking with a global community of peers before, during, and after the course. Learners who successfully complete an HBS Online program are added to the HBS Online Community's Official Networking Group and gain exclusive access to events and other networking opportunities.

See how the HBS Online course platform engages you in social learning. You exchange ideas, offer input, and seek out viewpoints from a community of learners gathered from around the globe. In the process, you learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives, and leave the program with a broader outlook on the world.

Real-World Cases

Immerse yourself in real-world, case-based examples brought to life by industry-leading experts from companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Moderna, Mozilla, and Novartis.

Our courses allow you to apply your learning through
real-world examples and experience Harvard Business School’s signature case
method. Business leaders will share challenges they’ve faced. As the story
unfolds, you’ll leverage course concepts, vital tools and frameworks, and the
diversity of your peers’ perspectives to analyze the problem and determine a
path forward.

Real-World Outcomes