Harnessing AI to drive value in business: why technical expertise and management skills are equally key

By Professor Niki Trigoni, Academic Lead, MSc AI for Business

The importance of AI in business has surged, creating a demand for professionals skilled in both technical AI knowledge and business applications.  

Successfully adopting and deploying AI in ways that support organisational goals calls for a broad and often daunting mix of skills. It involves expertise in areas such as machine learning, systems engineering and management 

Algorithmic training to inventory management 

Many excellent technical professionals may need to develop their skills in strategic implementation, risk management or governance to make the most of advances in AI within their organisations – and progress their careers.  

From algorithmic trading to supply-chain optimisation, fraud detection and anomaly spotting to quality control, and from customer service to automated checkout and inventory management, the opportunities for adopting AI to transform businesses are enormous. 

Two world-leading institutions – one answer  

Inspired by the incredible potential of AI in business and the University of Oxford’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, the Department of Computer Science partnered with Saïd Business School to answer this challenge - offering a master’s degree that delivers on all fronts for professionals who need to cross effortlessly between practical skills and business leadership.  

The modules are designed to combine algorithmic foundations with varied applied examples in business and beyond, highlighting the operational and strategic challenges that leaders face when adopting AI within their organisations.  

Bringing together the academic and industry-facing expertise of two world-leading institutions, the question remained, how to bring all this to individuals in fast-moving industries that need it the most?  

Flexible professional learning  

The MSc AI for Business has been built around the highly successful blueprint of the Department of Computer Science’s Professional Master’s Programme. Taking a part-time, modular approach, students can learn at a pace and structure that fits around the demands of their career, while selecting the courses that will best meet the strategic needs of their business.  

It's a career-boosting formula that’s set over 300 Professional Master’s graduates on course for success over the past five years alone, achieving MScs in Software Engineering and Software and Systems Security.  

From machine learning to risk management  

For the first time, MSc AI for Business students will be able to choose what they learn from a curriculum that combines technical training in machine learning, computer vision, generative AI, embedded and edge AI, security and privacy for machine learning and human-AI interaction, with managerial skills in governance, ethics, digital transformation, risk management, and the application of AI in marketing, finance, and operations.  

The programme is designed to train the next generation of leaders with interdisciplinary skills combining AI with the ability to apply it to address strategic and operational challenges within their organisation.  

Immersive Oxford experience  

 MSc AI for Business students will learn at a pace that suits them over an average of four years. This is supported by week-long residential sessions that offer full immersion in Oxford life – from the college experience to networking and learning from global experts in their fields. It’s an incredible experience and opportunity.  

Translating AI research into optimising operations  

My recent work on translating research in edge AI to optimise operations and streamline workflows in hospitals has given me a concrete perspective of the diverse ways in which AI can transform workplaces, improve productivity and staff experience, and contribute to wider societal benefits. 

I am sincerely proud to be part of offering this unique academic experience to the business world. I’m also confident it will be equipping industry with some incredibly well-rounded leaders, skilled in harnessing the power of AI for the future. 

Niki Trigoni is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford. Find out more and apply for the MSc AI for Business