Artificial Intelligence for Business TransformationNEW
Requirements
This program is suitable for attendees at all executive levels.
Requirements
This program is suitable for attendees at all executive levels.
Artificial Intelligence for Business Transformation
Requirements
This program is suitable for attendees at all executive levels.
Overview
Over the past ten years, the importance of data and AI has exploded. Technologies that used to be specialized are now mainstream. Companies are increasingly deriving real value from advanced AI and analytics, and those that do not risk being left behind.
Given the recent transformation in various business domains fueled by advances in data and AI technologies, there is a clear and immediate need to make the core concepts and ideas more easily accessible to executives. This will support more widespread assimilation of the tools and lower barriers for relevant companies wishing to adopt AI and related technology.
This program provides a structured introduction to the key concepts and ideas driving the AI revolution, giving participants exposure to foundational ideas along with detailed analyses of use cases that illustrate the huge potential AI has in unlocking value across a wide spectrum of industries and organizations.
Directed by Columbia Business School Professors Daniel Guetta and Assaf Zeevi, the program is taught by two experts in the field. Daniel Guetta has worked at Palantir Technologies, a big data consulting company, and has extensive experience helping companies drive value using AI and analytics. His research also focuses on data-driven supply chain management, and he has leveraged his experience to create a number of pedagogical initiatives and classes at Columbia, including extensive development of cutting-edge cases and teaching materials. He brings a unique style and energy to the classroom and has won multiple teaching awards for teaching excellence. Assaf Zeevi has spent much of his academic career pursuing research in the areas of AI, machine learning, and data science. He has been actively involved in translating this research for the industry via collaborative projects that run the gamut from large corporations to tech startups, several of which he is directly involved with. Participants have a unique opportunity to learn from faculty who not only research and teach in the space but are also AI and big data entrepreneurs who will share first-hand experiences.
Please contact our Learning Solutions Specialists at +1 212-854-3395 for a personal conversation to learn more.
“In just a few years, AI has grown from a niche, specialized discipline to a must-have for organizations around the world. But not all AI is appropriate for every company. This program will provide executives with an understanding of what can and is being done in a range of industries to help them bring these technologies to the forefront in their work.”
Assaf Zeevi and Daniel Guetta
The program's Faculty Directors
Impact
Artificial Intelligence for Business Transformation equips participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to better understand and appreciate core AI technologies as well as machine learning and blockchain concepts and their implementations. By gaining exposure to the key ideas as well as illustrative use cases, participants will be able to better assess their own potential to successfully adopt these technologies in their particular business setting and drive growth for their organization.
After attending program, you will:
- Understand core concepts in AI, machine learning, and blockchain technologies
- Gain exposure to illustrative use cases and real-world examples
- Appreciate what contributes to successful implementations of AI technologies
- Identify possible obstacles and barriers
- Recognize current and future trends that involve AI technologies
- Clearly see the benefits of incorporating these tools in your business
Upon completion of this program, you will earn two credits towards a Certificate with select alumni and tuition benefits. Learn more.
Program Structure
This program will be split into three parts:
Day 1 will feature an AI crash course for executives. You'll get introduced to the fundamental concepts that underlie modern AI and analytics techniques and touch on the technologies that enable these efforts. This introduction will set you up to understand the examples in the remainder of the class and allow you to start thinking about AI applications in your own organization.
For a complete program schedule, please download the agenda.
Participant Profile
The Artificial Intelligence for Business Transformation program is designed for business leaders who want to better understand how AI, data, and analytics can be used to drive value. The program uses four specific areas to draw motivating examples and leverages them as a springboard to discuss analytics opportunities at the participants' organizations.
Columbia Business School alumni and up to four of their colleagues are eligible for a 25 percent tuition benefit for this program. More on the Alumni Tuition Benefit.
Faculty

Daniel Guetta
Associate Professor of Professional Practice
Columbia Business School

Daniel Guetta
Associate Professor of Professional Practice
Columbia Business School
Daniel Guetta is an associate professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Business School and Director of the Business Analytics Initiative at the Columbia Business School and Columbia Engineering. His research focuses on the ways companies can harness the power of data and analytics to drive value. He teaches classes in business analytics, including data science, pricing, supply chain management, and technical tools such as Python and cloud computing.
Guetta has authored award-winning case studies in the area with a number of companies and co-authored Python for MBAs. He was the 2020 recipient of the Singhvi Prize for Scholarship in the classroom. Prior to joining the faculty at Columbia Business School, he was a data scientist and engagement manager at Palantir Technologies, where he worked with clients around the world in fields ranging from finance to pharmaceuticals to help them solve their hardest problems using data. He completed his undergraduate studies in physics and mathematics at Cambridge and MIT and holds a PhD in Operations Research from the Columbia Business School.

Assaf Zeevi
Kravis Professor of Business
Columbia Business School

Assaf Zeevi
Kravis Professor of Business
Columbia Business School
Assaf Zeevi is a Kravis Professor of Business at Columbia Business School. His research and teaching interests lie at the intersection of operations research, data science, and AI. He has been developing theory and algorithms for machine learning and overseeing their translation to industry implementations. His work has found applications in online retail, healthcare analytics, dynamic pricing, recommender systems, and online marketplaces. He is a member of several scientific advisory boards for startup companies in the high technology sector. Assaf received his BSc and MSc (Cum Laude) from the Technion in Israel and his PhD from Stanford University in 2001. He has held visiting positions at Stanford University, the Technion, and Tel Aviv University.
FAQ
Certification
I’m interested in the Certificate in Business Excellence (CIBE), how do I get started?
At Columbia Business School Executive Education, you’ll be able to customize a unique learning experience by selecting programs that best interest you and are most suited for your needs. Any completed program, regardless of format (live online, in-person, or online), will count towards the Certificate in Business Excellence.
Which programs qualify for the CIBE?
Any completed executive education program, regardless of format (live-online, in-person, or online), will count towards the Certificate in Business Excellence. Partner programs will also count towards the certificate.
What programs are considered partner programs?
Executive education programs developed and administered with our educational partners, bring the best of our combined knowledge, thought leadership, resources, and expertise. Kindly find a list of our partners here on our partnership page.
What are the costs of the certificate?
There’s no set cost associated with the certificate path since you’re able to customize your learning journey with in-person and online programs (price will vary depending on the program type and length).
Are there any tuition assistance or scholarships?
At Columbia Business School Executive Education, we offer non-degree and non-credit-based professional development programs to the global business community. As our programs are non-degree and non-credit, they do not qualify for financial aid.
How are CIBE credits determined?
Credits for a program are determined by the program duration and total learning hours.
Where do I find information on the credit value for a program?
You will find this information on each program page. Credits range from 0.5 credits – 26 credits per program.
How do I get enrolled in the CIBE?
Your certificate journey will start with your first program, and you have 4 years to complete your CIBE. You may register for any of our executive education programs on each program page. You may enroll using the “Enroll Now” button, and the application process should take 5-10 minutes.
How do I receive credits?
You are required to fully attend a program and complete all necessary coursework in order to receive CIBE credits. Credits are only awarded after you complete a program.
How do I check the status of my Certificate completion?
Kindly reach out to a Learning Solutions representative for any questions on the status of your CIBE credit count.
Do CIBE credits expire?
Credits are only valid for four years (Please note: While we are not able to offer in-person programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration to complete the programming has been extended to five years.). If you have not completed your CIBE within four years, we will only count non-expired credits towards your CIBE credit total.
Does the Certificate in Business Excellence expire?
Your Certificate in Business Excellence does not expire. Once you become a certificate recipient, you will join the greater alumni community at Columbia Business School.
I’ve reached 18 CIBE credits, what’s next?
Congratulations! You should receive a digital copy of your certificate at the end of your program. If you do not receive a copy from your program manager, kindly contact your Learning Solutions representative or your program manager for next steps.
Will I receive a physical certificate?
Yes, all certificate recipients will receive a physical plaque. If you completed your last CIBE credits through an online or live online program, you will receive a plaque in the mail. We will ask for you to provide us with your preferred mailing address and our vendor will ship the plaque directly to you. We kindly ask for your patience as the processing time takes a few weeks. Please contact your program manager for the status of your plaque. If you completed your last CIBE credits through an in-person program, you will receive a plaque at the end of the program.
How do I get access to my alumni benefits?
Once you complete your CIBE, we kindly ask for your patience as we process your alumni credentials. The processing time can take anywhere from 8 to 10 weeks long.
Can I refer colleagues to the Certificate in Business Excellence?
If you are a certificate holder, you may sponsor up to four colleagues each year for full-price in-person programs lasting up to seven days and all full-price online programs.
Can I add the Certificate in Business Excellence to LinkedIn?
Yes! We will provide you with instructions on how to add your certificate to your LinkedIn profile after you become a Certificate recipient.
Preferred Pricing and Tuition Benefits for Alumni
Are there preferred pricing options available for live online programs?
Yes, preferred pricing is available for groups of two or more. To inquire, email execed@gsb.columbia.edu.
As a Columbia Business School alumni am I eligible for tuition benefit?
Columbia Business School alumni and up to four of their colleagues are eligible for a 25 percent tuition benefit for this program. More on the Alumni Tuition Benefit.
Assignments
Will there be any homework or assignments?
For select programs, there will be some assignments to complete after the end of select program sessions. Assignments will typically consist of readings, self-reflections, and brief assessments. This approach is designed to help you practice your learnings.
How long will assignments take?
We do not expect that homework assignments will take up a large amount of time to complete.
Will there be any examinations or grades?
There will be no examinations or grades for our live online programs.
Access
When will I receive information on how to log in?
You will receive your login information immediately before the program start date. Kindly reach out to your Program Manager for further instructions on how to prepare and log in for the program.
What platform do you use to deliver live online programs?
We use the Zoom platform.
Recordings
Will sessions be recorded?
Most live online sessions (depending on the faculty and program) will be recorded and will be available for you upon request. In-person programs are not recorded.
How long will they be available for?
Recordings will be available for the duration of the program. Depending on the program, some recordings may have additional availability post-program.
How do I gain access to the recordings?
Your Program Manager will provide you with further instructions on how to gain access to recorded sessions.
Experience
How do participants network during the live online programs? Will I participate in group work?
Our live online programs are fully virtual and highly interactive. Most programs also feature small group work for a high-touch learning experience. The virtual program experience allows participants to feel comfortable and productive learning at home while preserving the interconnectivity of an in-person program.
What are the networking opportunities during the live online sessions?
Yes. Examples of this may include: virtual lunches, virtual receptions, use of the chat function, and virtual office hours for you to connect with participants and faculty. Please refer to the agenda of the specific live online program you are interested in for details.
Live Online Format
What are live online programs?
Now, more than ever, executives need the knowledge and insights to help them adapt to change and solve complex problems. As the business world has evolved, we have applied new best practices to continuously improve your learning experience. With our live online programs, we are taking select in-person programs and are translating them to a fully live and virtual format, delivering the same interactive sessions with faculty and real-time application of the knowledge you would experience in person.
What is the difference between live online and online programs?
Compare our two formats for distance learning here.
What does “live online” mean?
Live online programs are fully virtual, highly interactive programs taking place in real-time, often featuring small group work for a high-touch learning experience. Our Columbia Business School faculty stream to you live and virtually, no matter where you are located.
Are all live online programs the same in terms of format and length?
No. Please refer to the agenda of the specific live online program you are interested in. For any questions, please reach out to the Contact person listed on the program's web page.
Do I have to attend all live sessions?
Participants are expected to attend all sessions. However, we understand that participants may have scheduling conflicts. Kindly let us know in advance whenever possible and your Program Manager would be happy to discuss how we can help you get up to speed. We will also record most faculty sessions, which you can review upon request.
Will I need to attend the live sessions even if I’m based in a different time zone?
You are required to attend all live sessions even if you are based in a different time zone. (Kindly reach out to the Learning Solutions team to learn more about our asynchronous program offerings, which consist predominantly of pre-recorded videos that you can watch on your own time).
COVID-19 Safety Plans
Please review the latest COVID-19 related protocols at Columbia Business School.
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