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Close the AI adoption gap. Lead with insight and impact.

This program is built for mid-to-senior leaders who are ready to move from AI awareness to confident implementation. While many organizations have technical teams well-versed in data analytics, most leaders lack the fluency to translate that expertise into strategic action. This program bridges that gap—equipping decision-makers with the practical skills, governance frameworks, and analytical mindset needed to drive AI adoption across sectors.

Through real-world use cases in government, non-profit, and private industry, you’ll learn how to identify where AI can create value, design solutions that align with business goals, and lead initiatives that deliver measurable impact. You’ll explore the fundamentals of data governance, apply critical thinking to generate actionable insights, and gain the communication skills to tell compelling stories with data. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to oversee AI-powered projects, ask the right questions, and guide your organization through a successful transformation. 

How Technically Demanding is it? The modules have been developed for none data scientists and do not require any prior technical knowledge. Some topics make use of math but only for explanation or demonstration purposes. All participants require to benefit is an openness to learning. Whether you’re looking to implement a data analytics program from scratch, take your use of data to the next level, or simply increase your fluency in the domain, this is the program for you.

 

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Program Content

To supplement in-class instruction, participants will apply program learnings and insights to coursework and readings outside the classroom.

MODULE 1: AI Lab for Leaders (2 separate days)
November 6 and 13, 2025 (10:00 am - 5:00 pm Atlantic time)

Dive right into hands-on application in Canada’s first AI & Data Leadership Lab. Don’t just become familiar with AI—learn how to tactically and strategically harness it to solve real-world challenges. Use large language models (LLMs) and everyday tools such as Microsoft Office, Copilot, ChatGPT, and others to support smarter decision-making. Learn to craft meaningful prompts, compare data sets, and create compelling visual stories. Choose from practical scenarios such as redirecting public funding, managing a sales pipeline, optimizing inventory, prioritizing service calls, or identifying new funding opportunities.

MODULE 2: AI and Data Governance (1 Day)
November 27, 2025 (10:00 am - 5:00 pm Atlantic time)

Tackle AI and data head-on—there’s no time to procrastinate. AI is already here. Participants will learn the risks of leaving AI ungoverned and how to immediately implement guardrails as leaders. They will explore the potential threats, learn how to develop effective policies, and lead organizational change to ensure AI is adopted and governed responsibly.

MODULE 3: Decisions and Story Telling with Data (2 separate days)
December 4 and 9, 2025 (10:00 am - 5:00 pm Atlantic time)

Learn how to analyze data, spot “moneyballs,” and develop insights that inform better decision-making. Build the right level of technical skill to lead your team more effectively. Practice using data to shape your narrative, uncover new opportunities, and deliver influential stories to senior leaders.

 

Top Take-Aways

• Quickly learn about the complete range of knowledge and skills required to practice analytics sustainably, and the management competencies required to oversee it
• Gain hands-on exposure to working with both basic and advanced concepts in data science without getting into the weeds of programming
• Develop the confidence to embrace data-driven opportunities and the skills to initiate data-analysis transformation in their organization or functional area
• Increase fluency in the domain in order to understand how to build and manage an analytics team, or communicate more effectively with data scientists

Who Should Attend

This program has been designed for executives and professionals with diverse needs from any sector or functional area, including managers who:

• Want to learn about data analytics tools and techniques and leverage insights from big data to allow their organization to make better business decisions
• Are tasked with implementing, enhancing or expanding the role of analytics in their organization
• Currently work on analytics projects or are involved with a data team, and want to increase their fluency in the domain and their command of its tools and techniques

 

This program is delivered in partnership with Schulich Executive Education Centre at York University.