Artificial Intelligence fundamentals: a managerial perspective

The course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts from a managerial perspective, focusing on business implications. Participants will gain the necessary knowledge to support the adoption of AI systems in companies. 

The course content is structured to prepare students for managerial roles that work alongside technical professionals within organizations, facilitating the effective development and deployment of AI systems.

Participants will explore the basic functioning of AI, its development process, and its business implications, ensuring they can navigate the key managerial challenges of this technology.

A combination of theoretical content and business case studies will help participants answer the following questions:

• What are the fundamental AI aspects that need to be understood to support AI adoption in business? 
• What process should be followed to introduce an AI system in a company? 
• What managerial considerations must be addressed when implementing AI systems in business?

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 

• Describe the fundamental concepts of AI and distinguish between predictive AI and generative AI in a business context. 
• Identify key considerations when implementing different AI types. 
• Explain the role of data in AI development. 
• Understand the AI implementation process in companies and the roles of technical and managerial professionals. 
• Evaluate the managerial implications of adopting AI in business.

No prerequisites are required to participate in this course.

The course is structured into three modules, guiding participants through a structured learning path to understand AI fundamentals and its business applications.

Module 1 – AI Fundamentals 

• Explore key AI concepts, definitions, and different AI types. 
• Understand predictive AI vs. generative AI and how companies manage AI-related data challenges. 

Module 2 – AI Development & Lifecycle 

• Learn how companies introduce AI systems, from problem identification to selecting the right AI model and tools. 
• Analyze development, testing, monitoring, and maintenance phases, with a focus on common mistakes and best practices. 
• Understand the key technical and managerial roles involved in AI implementation. 

Module 3 – Managerial Implications of AI in Business 

• Explore AI-related managerial challenges, including investment in infrastructure, data bias management, and transparency issues. 
• Understand the transition from small-scale AI experiments to large-scale business applications. 

Each module includes videos, readings, and self-assessment quizzes. 

At the end of each week, you will encounter a Reflection Point, designed to help you:

• Synthesize what you’ve learned by connecting key ideas.
• Apply concepts to real-world scenarios relevant to your field or interests.
• Think critically about AI’s implications from a managerial perspective.

Total workload of the course: 50 hours

The two-level mutual trust-based quality assurance scheme has been adopted:

• at the university level: Politecnico di Milano has applied its internal quality assurance procedures and structures to the proposal of Artificial Intelligence fundamentals: a managerial perspective it submitted to ENHANCE and to its implementation - the related learning activities,
• at the Alliance level: the body composed of Education Officers has made decisions regarding the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence fundamentals: a managerial perspective proposed by Politecnico di Milano to the Innovative Learning Campus part of the joint ENHANCE educational offer, based on the compliance with the formal requirements and ENHANCE goals.

Your final grade for the course will be based on the results of your answers to the graded quizzes. You have an unlimited number of attempts at each quiz, but you must wait 15 minutes before you can try again. You will have successfully completed the course if you achieve 60% (or more) of the total score in each quiz. The maximum score possible for each quiz is given at the beginning of the quiz. You can view your score in the quiz on your last attempt or on the 'Grades' page.

You can achieve a certificate in the form of an Open Badge for this course, if you reach at least 60% of the total score in each one of the assessed quizzes and fill in the final survey.

Once you have completed the required tasks, you will be able to access ‘Get the Open Badge’ and start issuing the badge. Instructions on how to access the badge will be sent to your e-mail address.

The Badge does not confer any academic credit, grade or degree.