AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact
From AI strategy to measurable ROI for finance leaders
Programme Overview for AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact
AI is rapidly transforming finance – from forecasting and budgeting to lending and compliance – creating both the opportunities and pressure for finance leaders. Boards and regulators increasingly expect senior finance professionals to assess AI’s impact, quantify value and guide responsible adoption. The AI in Finance: Strategy, Application and Impact programme from Imperial Executive Education is designed to equip finance leaders like you with the strategic insight and confidence to evaluate AI initiatives, improve financial decision-making and strengthen risk and compliance frameworks.
Across six weeks, you will explore real-world applications of AI in credit evaluation, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), fraud detection, regulatory compliance, trading and portfolio optimisation. Through playbook assignments and case studies, you will be prepared to lead AI-enabled transformation with confidence, supported by governance frameworks and stakeholder-ready strategies that deliver measurable value. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will also get access to associate alumni status.
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Key takeaways
Demystify AI and its branches: Understand the difference between AI, machine learning, deep learning and generative AI and how each can transform financial decision-making.
Turn data into decisions: Learn how to analyse financial data types and choose the right models for risk assessment, forecasting and strategic planning.
AI in action: Explore AI-driven tools for FP&A, budgeting, lending, fraud detection, compliance trading and portfolio optimisation.
Measure impact and risks: Identify how AI delivers measurable value in finance while addressing ethical, regulatory and operational considerations.
Communicate and influence: Gain skills to prepare strategy memos, compliance briefings, dashboards and AI adoption plans tailored for diverse stakeholders.
Lead AI transformation: Develop cross-functional collaboration strategies to successfully implement AI across your organisation.
Programme curriculum
Build a strong foundation in AI and machine learning. Explore core AI methods, the role of structured and unstructured data, how generative AI functions and how to select suitable models for different financial applications.
Dive into the use of AI and quantitative models in trading and portfolio management. This module covers sentiment analysis using natural language processing, AI-driven portfolio optimisation for risk and return and the implementation and assessment of algorithmic trading strategies.
Examine how AI reshapes credit risk assessment and lending decisions. Analyse AI-powered credit models, alternative data sources, fairness and explainability in credit scoring and design elements of automated loan underwriting while addressing algorithmic bias.
Focus on how AI enhances financial planning, forecasting and budgeting. Assess real-time insights powered by AI, improvements in forecasting accuracy, streamlined budgeting processes and how to prepare data inputs for effective AI-driven analysis.
Learn how AI strengthens fraud detection, risk monitoring and compliance. Explore anomaly detection techniques, AI-enabled transaction monitoring for anti-money laundering and the opportunities and limitations of explainable AI within compliance frameworks.
Combine strategy and execution by focusing on how to implement AI at scale in finance functions. Develop AI strategies aligned with organisational goals, evaluate ROI, build business cases for adoption and address governance, change management and stakeholder alignment.
Programme highlights
Engage with industry experts through an immersive session that provides insights into the latest advancements in Al and its applications in business.
Learn from a curriculum that incorporates industry examples and insights from an expert faculty member to enrich the learning experience.
Earn the prestigious Associate Alumni status upon programme completion.
Access world-class case studies to connect theory with real-world scenarios.
Receive personalised guidance and support during weekly office hours with the learning facilitator, who will address your specific challenges.
Learn to use ROl calculators, governance frameworks, dashboards and Jupyter notebooks.
Receive access to videos and learning materials for up to 12 months from the programme start date.
Participate in live sessions and discussion boards to network with and gain inspiration from a cohort of global peers.
Deepen your knowledge with comprehensive self-study activities designed to reinforce learning, and explore Al topics at your own pace.
Develop an Al strategy and implementation plan that aligns with your corporate goals and vision.
Turn learning into action with immersive assignments that mirror the decisions senior finance leaders make.
Distinguish yourself with a certificate from Imperial Executive Education, a globally ranked university and leader in innovative thinking.
The AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact programme with Imperial Executive Education
The AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact programme equips senior finance leaders with the knowledge, tools and frameworks to evaluate, integrate and harness AI responsibly across financial services. You will learn from Professor Marco Di Maggio, an expert in finance and emerging technologies with extensive experience in both traditional financial markets and fintech.
Offered by Imperial Executive Education, part of Imperial College London, a globally ranked leader in business and technology, the programme blends finance, strategy and AI applications to help leaders and decision-makers like you unlock measurable business value for your organisation.
Meet the faculty
Professor of Finance, Department of Finance, Imperial College Business School
Before joining Imperial College Business School as Professor of Finance, Marco Di Maggio was the Ogunlesi Family Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business Schoo...
Hands-on learning
Each module in this programme includes a required playbook activity that gives you the opportunity to apply the principles and strategies you have learned. In Module 6, you will create a holistic AI implementation plan.
You will evaluate multiple case studies throughout the programme to ground key insights in real-world contexts. Cases from firms such as SoFi and Adyen will allow you to explore AI’s impact across the financial sector.
Who is the AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact programme for?
The AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact programme is designed for decision-makers and finance leaders who want to strategically lead Al adoption within their organisations or leverage it independently. This programme is suitable for:
Executive Finance Leaders, CFOs, VPs, Directors of Finance and more looking to transform budgeting, forecasting and long-term strategy with AI
FP&A Executives, Finance Controllers, Treasury Leaders, VPs, Directors and Senior Managers aiming to modernise forecasting and budgeting and deliver real-time insights for better decisions
Compliance and governance leaders, including heads of compliance, anti-money laundering officers, audit executives and regulatory affairs directors, who are responsible for ensuring Al adoption meets transparency and regulatory standards
Risk and lending leaders seeking to deploy Al responsibly to improve accuracy, reduce bias and strengthen compliance
Investment and trading professionals who want to apply Al to sentiment analysis, portfolio optimisation and algorithmic execution
Transformation and innovation leaders responsible for driving cross-functional alignment and Al-enabled growth
Certificate
Upon completion of the programme, participants will be awarded a verified digital certificate of participation by Imperial Executive Education.
FAQs
The AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact programme from Imperial Executive Education is a six-week online learning experience designed for senior finance professionals and transformation leaders. It equips participants to understand, evaluate and apply AI across financial functions, including trading, portfolio optimisation, credit risk, financial planning and compliance.
Whether this programme is worthwhile depends on your role and goals. The AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact programme from Imperial Executive Education is valuable for finance leaders looking to make informed decisions about AI adoption, enhance financial strategy and apply AI responsibly to drive measurable organisational impact.
Participants typically have experience in finance, strategy, accounting, fintech or related roles. A basic understanding of financial concepts is expected, and no coding background is required. The programme is designed to help finance leaders make informed, strategic decisions about AI.
The programme fee is listed on the official programme webpage. It includes access to learning material, video lectures, case studies, assignments and faculty engagement.
The best course depends on your professional objectives. Imperial Executive Education's AI in Finance programme offers a strategic perspective by combining AI fundamentals, finance-focused applications and responsible implementation, delivered by expert faculty and finance practitioners.
The programme is designed for working professionals. You can expect to spend four to six hours per week on recorded sessions, weekly office hours and practical assignments. The online format allows you to learn at your own pace while balancing professional commitments.
This programme is ideal for senior finance professionals, CFOs, FP&A leaders, investment managers, risk and compliance heads and transformation leaders who want to understand AI’s impact on finance and build strategies for responsible adoption.
The programme runs for six weeks and is delivered entirely online. It includes recorded video lectures, case studies and practical assignments.
The curriculum integrates current developments in AI, finance and regulation. It includes real-world industry examples, case studies and insights from Imperial College London faculty to ensure participants can apply contemporary concepts and tools in practice.
How do I know if this programme is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the programme landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the programme brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this programme is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated programme adviser will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this programme?
Some programmes do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the programme landing page, as well as in the programme brochure. If you are uncertain about programme prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.
What are the requirements to earn a certificate?
This is a graded programme. You will be required to complete a combination of individual assignments, quizzes and a final project. Each component carries a certain number of points, and a cumulative score of 80 per cent is required to pass and obtain your professional certificate.
Will I be guaranteed a job upon completion of the programme?
The primary objective of this programme is to give you the skills you need to be prepared for a job in this field. While eligible participants will receive career coaching and support and may receive introductions to our hiring partners, job placement is not guaranteed.
How much time will I be expected to devote to this programme?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will I spend my time in this programme?
You will divide your learning time between viewing video lectures, contributing to class discussions, completing assignments, projects, and knowledge checks and attending optional live sessions with industry experts and programme leaders.
How is the programme administered? Can the programme be accessed anytime?
The programme is accessed through the custom learning portal. This portal will give you access to all programme-related content such as video lectures, assignments and discussions. Live office hours will be conducted using a webinar tool. The video lectures and assignments are accessible weekly throughout the programme. In the event you miss a live session, a recording will be made available.
Do I need to attend live sessions every week?
Faculty video lectures are recorded, allowing you to watch these on your own schedule. However, participation in optional live sessions and discussion boards is highly encouraged. Live sessions will give you the opportunity to draw on our industry-experienced programme leaders to answer your questions and help reach your learning goals. The discussion boards are also an integral part of the learning experience, giving you and your peers the opportunity to learn together, along with guidance from the moderators.
Can I download the programme videos?
You can download video transcripts, assignment templates, readings etc. However, the video lectures are only available for streaming and require an internet connection.
How do I interact with other programme participants?
You can communicate with other participants through our learning platform. You will be able to form groups based on your interests and location. A direct messaging feature is also available through the platform.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 per cent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programmes said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded. All the programme contents would be made available to students at the commencement of the programme . However, to ensure the programme delivers the desired learning outcomes, the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the programme in a cohort-based manner, the cost of which is already included in the overall programme fee. A dedicated programme support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enrol. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programmes are designed to fit into your working life. This programme is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programmes include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the programme brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification on any specific programme requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile. The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the programme, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this programme?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this programme. In some cases, there are credits that count towards a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the programme brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the learning platform and all programme materials (videos excluded) for one full year following the programme start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment is needed or the technical requirements for this programme?
To successfully complete this programme online, you must have access to a device meeting the minimum requirements, found here. In addition, Microsoft Office or a similar product and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and transcripts in all programmes. Please check the learning platform on the first day of class.
Do I need to be online to access the programme content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. You can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings etc. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and webinars and small group sessions will require an internet connection.
What is the programme fee for the programme, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The programme fee is shown at the top of this page.
Flexible payment options, group enrolment benefits and a referral bonus are available.
Tuition assistance may be available for participants who qualify. Please contact your programme adviser to discuss.
What if I don’t have a credit card – is there another mode of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance via wire transfer. Please contact your programme adviser for more details.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this programme?
Yes. Flexible payment options are available for this programme. We collaborate with loan partners to offer you flexible and transparent loan options. More information about loan financing is available here. Instalment payments are also available - you can find the options here.
Does the programme fee include taxes? Are there any additional fees?
Yes, the programme fee is inclusive of any taxes, with the exception of GST for Singapore residents.
Who will be collecting the payment for the programme?
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides participant enrolment and programme support and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the programme?
Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Imperial Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
What is the programme refund and deferral policy?
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Programme Advisers or call us at +44 114 697 4544 (UK) / +1 315 618 2562 (US) / +65 3129 8674 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
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