This blog will interest many executives and senior managers who, after several years of successful career progression, have the ambition to advance their knowledge, leave their comfort zone and are excited to put on their ‘student shoes’ once again. Equally, if you are interested in artificial intelligence (AI) and you’re eager to understand how it works and how you can harness all the opportunities it provides to improve your performance and organisation (regardless of your profession and industry), then this is the blog for you too.
Artificial intelligence is all around us
I am an internal auditor with more than 25 years’ experience working in different business areas. And yet, over the last couple of years, I have begun to feel that I was missing something important in my knowledge – an understanding of how to harness AI.
Technology has been progressing rapidly and AI alone has transitioned from an ‘exotic’ word or an ‘elite’ tech available only to space researchers, to become an essential part of working practice. AI is everywhere, whether it is leisure, daily routine, business, healthcare, computer science, customer care, sports events or any other area of business activities. It is therefore imperative for professionals to develop their knowledge and understanding in this area.
I set about researching programmes to help me develop my expertise in this area and this led me to the Oxford Executive Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business at Saïd Business School.
Why study the Executive Diploma in AI for Business?
I’m sure you’re wondering how I made such a decision. For me the reasons were clear:
1. It is Oxford University
I was firm that I needed to apply to one of the best universities in the world.
2. It’s a part-time programme
I was not in a position to interrupt my work and take a career break, so I was looking for a part-time opportunity that I could pursue while continuing to work full time. The programme consists of four modules taught part time over one year.
3. It enables you to delve deeper into the subject
I wasn’t looking for some fragmented or basic ‘amateur’ knowledge on AI. I was more interested in gaining an academic postgraduate degree following a longer-term programme.
4. It offers a practical, non-technical focus
I needed a programme with less technical jargon and background and more focus on business solutions and big picture.
I was surprised to discover that this ambitious criterion was fully satisfied by the diploma.
The application process
After a careful and thorough examination of my application and background, I was so excited to be offered a place on the diploma programme. At this point it is important to mention my first point of contact at the University of Oxford, Kate Richards-Whitworth, who helped me a lot to prepare my application. In my future blogs, I hope to share more of my experience interacting with Kate and express my gratitude to her for her patience and professionalism.
My excitement and enthusiasm only multiplied further when I found that I had been successful with my scholarship application and had been granted the Director’s Award to help fund my studies.
Joining an amazing cohort
Before I joined the programme, I never imagined that I would meet such high-calibre classmates who have similar interests in AI, yet different levels of engagement and interaction with it throughout their professional life. Our diploma cohort is amazing, with professionals and senior managers representing a range of industries, including the world’s top IT and tech companies. They are people with strong ethical values and are exceptional decision-makers. And yet, despite many years of work experience, we all still have a ‘student’s enthusiasm and passion’.
I can’t wait to share more of my story as it unfolds!
