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Develop an AI strategy with real workplace impact, identifying opportunities, assessing risk and building a clear business case for investment.
Build the business case for investment and create an AI strategy aligned to your organisation.
Build practical AI leadership skills without needing a technical background, with a focus on strategy, decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
Artificial intelligence is creating significant opportunities for organisations, but effective adoption starts with leadership rather than technology.
The AI Leadership – AI Strategy and Opportunity apprenticeship unit develops the ability to understand contemporary AI capabilities and limitations, identify where AI can support organisational priorities, assess the evidence for investment and make informed strategic decisions.
You will explore the main forms of AI currently being applied in organisations and develop the analytical skills needed to distinguish between an interesting technology and a viable organisational opportunity.
You will learn how to identify and prioritise AI use cases, evaluate feasibility and risk, assess organisational readiness and consider the implications of AI for your workforce, sustainability, organisational reputation and wider stakeholders.
Most importantly, you will apply your learning directly to your own organisation by developing an AI strategy aligned to its objectives, values and risk appetite.
The module is designed for leaders rather than technical specialists. You do not need to be an AI developer or data scientist. The emphasis is on making informed leadership, strategy and investment decisions.
By completing the unit, you will develop the capability to lead the development of AI policy and strategy; evaluate AI-driven improvement opportunities using qualitative and quantitative evidence; develop and communicate an organisational AI strategy; assess the viability and risks of AI use cases and pilots; engage technical and non-technical stakeholders; and adapt strategy as AI technologies and external trends evolve.
This is not simply an AI awareness course.
Throughout the unit you will work on an AI opportunity within your own organisation. The work you undertake between teaching sessions progressively builds towards your final AI Strategy Paper, creating an output with direct value to your employer.
Your final strategy paper is written for your own Board or equivalent senior decision-making audience.
Develop a leadership-level understanding of AI capabilities and limitations.
You will explore AI fundamentals for non-technical leaders, consider how AI is currently being applied in organisations and use structured organisational scanning and opportunity-identification methods to identify where AI could potentially add value.
You will also begin defining the organisational challenge or opportunity that will form the basis of your AI Strategy Paper.
Move from opportunity identification to evidence-based decision-making.
You will examine viability and feasibility methodologies, approaches to testing AI use cases, prioritisation methods, risk identification and mitigation, and the role of appropriate human oversight.
You will consider how leaders balance potential productivity benefits against feasibility, organisational impact, risk and readiness.
Turn opportunity analysis into strategic direction.
You will develop an AI strategy aligned with organisational objectives, values and risk appetite and examine how data and information-security considerations influence strategic decisions.
The session also explores stakeholder mapping, engagement and how to communicate complex AI opportunities and risks effectively to non-technical audiences.
AI is developing rapidly, so effective strategy cannot be static.
You will explore horizon-scanning and monitoring approaches, emerging AI capabilities and regulatory trends, and how organisations should respond as the operating environment changes.
The final taught day includes a structured capstone clinic, peer review, tutor input and preparation for your viva.
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Explore our campusesThe programme uses concentrated, work-based learning designed around the needs of experienced leaders.
You will attend four 7.5-hour in-person workshop days, normally one day per week for four consecutive weeks. Each session combines leadership theory, current AI practice, case-based analysis and practical application.
Between sessions, you apply the learning within your organisation, undertake directed study and progressively develop your AI Strategy Paper.
Following the taught sessions, you will complete a structured three-week capstone development period.
You will refine the AI strategy you have been developing throughout the programme, supported by an online group clinic, peer review, LSBU VLE resources and workplace input.
The result is a substantive strategy paper developed around your organisation rather than a hypothetical academic case study.
AI Strategy Paper – 80%
Approximately 3,000 words, addressed to your organisation’s Board of Directors or equivalent senior audience, together with a short reflective commentary.
Viva – 20%
A 20-minute oral examination in which you explain and defend the strategic decisions contained within your work.
For the apprenticeship-unit outcome, your workplace sponsor validates the organisational grounding of your evidence and LSBU confirms whether you have met the Skills England requirements.
The module is also academically graded for the award of 20 LSBU Level 5 credits.
By completing the unit, you will develop the capability to lead the development of AI policy and strategy; evaluate AI-driven improvement opportunities using qualitative and quantitative evidence; develop and communicate an organisational AI strategy; assess the viability and risks of AI use cases and pilots; engage technical and non-technical stakeholders; and adapt strategy as AI technologies and external trends evolve.
Develop the strategic leadership skills to identify where AI can create genuine organisational value, evaluate opportunities and risks, and build an evidence-based AI strategy for your organisation.
This standalone Level 5 apprenticeship unit is designed for senior leaders and managers responsible for shaping technological change and influencing investment decisions.
AI strategy and responsible technology adoption are becoming increasingly important components of senior leadership.
The strategic and stakeholder-management capability developed through the module is directly relevant to roles such as:
Chief AI Officer | Director of Strategy | Head of Digital Transformation | Transformation Director | Digital Strategy Lead | Senior operational and functional leadership roles with AI responsibility
The assessed AI Strategy Paper is designed as a workplace deliverable that can be used directly within your organisation.
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This apprenticeship unit is designed for experienced employees in leadership roles.
To join the programme, you must:
There are no formal minimum academic entry requirements. Where you have not previously studied at this academic level, LSBU will consider your relevant qualifications, previous learning and professional experience to determine your readiness for Level 5 study.
Choose your country
| Mode | Duration | Start date | Application code | Application method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part-time apprenticeship unit | 8–9 weeks | TBC | TBC | Direct to LSBU |
The validated LSBU module carries 20 Level 5 credits and comprises 200 notional learning hours, including 30 hours of live tutor-led teaching, 70 hours of workplace implementation, 60 hours of independent study and 40 hours of asynchronous/VLE learning.
Read more about how to apply for undergraduate courses.
International applicants can apply directly to LSBU and should consult our international how to apply guide for further information on the application process and key dates.
This unit is delivered as a Skills England apprenticeship unit and is funded through the Growth and Skills Levy using the employer’s Apprenticeship Service account.
The maximum funding rate for AU0009 is £750 per learner.
There is no direct cost to the learner for eligible apprenticeship-unit training. Employer and learner eligibility will be confirmed as part of LSBU’s onboarding process.
AI apprenticeship units provide employers with a flexible way of directing apprenticeship funding towards specific capabilities their senior teams need, without requiring an employee to undertake a complete multi-year apprenticeship programme.
Employers can select this unit independently or combine it with LSBU’s other AI Leadership apprenticeship units.
This is an employer apprenticeship unit.
Before applying, you should have discussed the programme with your employer and have agreement that the learning can be applied within your role.
Your employer will need to nominate or endorse you and provide an appropriate workplace sponsor.
