Competing in the Age of AI – Strategy, Execution & Ethics
What:
A new University of Portland Executive Education Program called: “Competing in the Age of AI – Strategy, Execution & Ethics.”
This education program is designed for leaders and decision-makers who want to drive AI adoption within their organizations while gaining practical, hands-on experience and expertise using artificial intelligence.
Format:
Unlike many traditional, multiday executive education workshops, this program delivers 40 hours of “class” time over six months, providing executives with the time and guidance they need to implement AI directly within their organizations. The program will include special opportunities for social meetups and networking.
Launch and Program Date(s):
- From September 23, 2025 to March 10, 2026
Who Should Attend:
Ideal participants include directors, senior managers, vice presidents, and C-suite executives responsible for the success of a team, department, or entire organization. This program is particularly well-suited for leaders who want to integrate AI into their operations, enhance products and services, or build internal readiness for emerging technologies.
Participants will gain the skills, knowledge, and frameworks to lead AI initiatives and foster an AI-positive culture. The program combines expert-led learning with practical application, enabling participants to implement AI in real time while receiving ongoing support and feedback from instructors, peers, and expert guests.
What to Expect:
- Driving AI Outcomes: Participants should enter the program with a clear objective to implement AI within their team, organization, or product and service offerings.
- Practical Application: Executives work on actionable deliverables throughout the program, such as AI strategy alignment, responsible use policies, pilot project plans, workforce training programs, and scaling strategies.
- Hands-On Learning: Participants will gain direct experience using a range of AI tools to support decision-making, innovation, and communication—building confidence and fluency in real-world use cases.
- Personalized Focus: Content is tailored to each participant’s organization, with learning immediately applied to ongoing AI efforts.
- Ongoing Support: Regular check-ins provide opportunities to track progress, troubleshoot obstacles, and refine strategies with expert input.
- Peer Learning: The cohort model promotes collaboration and shared learning, including breakout groups aligned by business function to exchange insights and lessons learned.
- Expert Guidance: Participants will learn from top AI experts, industry leaders, and mentors who offer practical advice and perspectives on emerging trends.
- Engagement with the University of Portland: Participants will have opportunities to collaborate with UP faculty and students with AI expertise, explore student internship possibilities, and leverage additional campus resources.
- Be Part of a Foundational Cohort: As members of the inaugural offering, participants will help shape the future of this program as it expands through new partnerships and offerings in response to the rapid growth of AI.
Program Structure and Content:
The program lasts six months, with bi-weekly sessions on Tuesday afternoons from 4:10pm to 6:30pm. The 12 class sessions alternate between being in-person on campus and on-line. Six special additional meetings will be held at various other locations throughout the program. The first class will meet at 4:10pm, on September 23 on campus and the final class is on March 10, 2026. Content includes:
- Learning State of the Art AI and Assessing Opportunities
- Building AI Strategy and Policy
- Operationalizing AI and Team Buy-In
- Enabling AI with Solid Data Foundations
- Measuring Success and AI ROI
- Sustaining AI Momentum and Learning Culture
- Anticipating the AI of the Future and its Impact
Program Outcomes:
- Develop an actionable AI strategy tailored to the needs of your organization
- Become an experienced user of AI in a wide range of applications
- Implement AI tools and processes that drive tangible business results
- Create an AI use policy and training plans for employees
- Lead successful AI initiatives, from pilot projects to large-scale transformations
- Gain the confidence and expertise to lead AI-driven changes within your organization
- Expand your network of AI experts
- Develop a conception of the future of AI and what it means for you and your organization
By the end of the program, participants will have the skills and knowledge to not only use AI effectively but also to lead their organizations or departments through the complexities of AI adoption and integration. The University of Portland AI Strategy & Leadership Executive Education Program is designed to make AI actionable and impactful, ensuring that leaders are prepared to lead the way in AI-driven business success.
Program Cost: $7,000
Contact Information: To learn more or register, please contact:
Jon Down, PhD
Program Director
Email: down@up.edu
Phone: 541-231-8390
