Chief Data and AI Officer Programme
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Overview: The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme from Imperial Executive Education prepares senior executive leaders like you to align data, analytics and AI with enterprise strategy and deliver measurable business value. As AI becomes integral to enterprise performance, you must move beyond isolated pilots and fragmented ownership to drive coordinated, responsible and scalable AI-enabled transformation. Organisations across industries now need to translate emerging technologies into sustained impact while managing risk, governance and complexity.
Designed for senior leaders shaping enterprise data and AI agendas, this seven-month online programme develops the capabilities you need to lead AI-driven transformation at scale. The curriculum combines executive leadership, AI and data strategy, enterprise data architecture and governance, and applied generative and agentic AI. Delivered by world renowned faculty, the programme equips you to define enterprise AI strategy, build strong data and governance foundations and deploy AI initiatives that drive innovation and operational impact. Through real-world case studies and applied capstone assignments, you will gain the confidence to align AI innovation with enterprise strategy and deliver long-term value. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive Associate Alumni status.
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Key takeaways
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme will enable you to:
Anticipate and respond to technological disruption through strategic foresight and informed executive decision-making in an AI-driven economy
Lead enterprise-wide digital, data and AI transformation that aligns technological capabilities with organisational strategy and long-term value creation
Design and operationalise enterprise AI, data and analytics strategies, enabling scalable adoption and cross-functional integration across the organisation
Evaluate and govern emerging technologies, including generative and agentic AI, balancing innovation, enterprise value, cybersecurity and ESG considerations
Build trusted data and analytics foundations that support transparency, accountability and evidence-based leadership decisions
Deploy AI responsibly and at scale, addressing ethical, regulatory and organisational implications while driving innovation and operational performance
Programme highlights
Cutting-edge content
Build the necessary AI-driven strategic mindset and data analytics skills for the chief data and AI officer (CDAIO) role through a balanced curriculum.
World-renowned faculty and industry experts
Gain insights from esteemed Imperial Business School faculty and distinguished industry experts.
Peer learning
Engage with like-minded peers from diverse fields during discussion boards to exchange ideas and enrich your learning experience.
Interactive sessions
Leverage the synergies of real-time learning with faculty, guest speakers and a cohort success coach.
Case studies and industry examples
Learn from real-world examples to understand the evolving CDAIO role and business landscape.
Success coach
Craft your learning journey in line with your career goals with a success coach assigned to your cohort.
Capstone project
Apply programme insights to address real-world business challenges and implement AI-driven solutions effectively.
Associate Alumni status
You will earn Associate Alumni status upon successful completion of the programme, with access to the Imperial Business School global community, events and networks.
Live sessions on agentic AI
Engage in expert-led live sessions exploring practical enterprise applications and the strategic deployment of agentic AI.
Programme curriculum
This curriculum is designed to help you lead enterprise data and AI transformation with clarity and confidence. Develop executive foresight and strategic alignment capabilities, build enterprise readiness and robust data foundations, and learn to execute AI initiatives responsibly at scale.
Phase 1: Executive Leadership | Online | 6 weeks
Understand the executive leadership skills necessary to operate effectively in an environment of accelerating change, digital disruption and heightened risk. Gain the confidence and frameworks to make informed, resilient and responsible decisions at the enterprise level.
Module 1: Future Forces Transforming Demands on the C-Suite
Module 2: Driving Digital Transformation
Module 3: ESG: Balancing Profitability and Responsibility
Module 4: ROI on Technology Initiatives
Module 5: Leading through Flux
Module 6: Cybersecurity
Prepare for AI-enabled transformation by aligning strategy, leadership roles, organisational readiness and change management. Gain the capabilities to sponsor, govern and initiate AI transformations that are strategically aligned, operationally feasible and ethically grounded.
Module 7: Developing an AI and Data Strategy Aligned to Business Strategy
Module 8: The Role of the Chief Data and AI Officer
Module 9: Preparing an Organisation for AI Transformation
Module 10: Leading Data and AI Transformations
Module 11: Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Module 12: AI Adoption and Change Management
Module 13: Fundamentals of AI in Business
Build the enterprise data backbone required to support scalable analytics and AI initiatives. Gain the capability to govern data as a strategic asset and to ensure data platforms support both business value and regulatory obligations.
Module 14: Strategic Data Frameworks
Module 15: End-to-End Data Management
Module 16: Building a Scalable Data Architecture and Platforms
Module 17: Leveraging Business Intelligence Tools
Module 18: Data Entrepreneurship – Leveraging External Data
Module 19: Data Governance Policies and Compliance
Module 20: Managing Data Risk, Data Privacy and Protection
Translate AI capability into business impact through applied generative and agentic AI, innovation and responsible enterprise integration. Learn how to deploy generative and agentic AI solutions that create measurable value while managing ethical, organisational and regulatory risks. Also, engage in three live sessions with expert faculty covering agentic AI.
Module 21: Generative AI Tools and Prompt Engineering
Module 22: Automating Workflows with Generative AI
Module 23: Innovation and Competitive Advantage through Generative AI
Module 24: Managing Organisational Impacts and Strategic Integration
Module 25: Ethical Considerations and Risk Management in AI
Agentic AI live sessions
The programme incorporates interactive live online sessions focused on agentic AI, enabling you to explore how autonomous, goal-driven AI systems can support end-to-end business processes. Through guided discussions and expert-led insights, these sessions deepen your understanding of how agent-based AI technologies may shape future workflows, innovation pathways and strategic integration. The sessions also address governance and risk considerations as well as practical approaches to integrating agentic AI into existing teams and workflows.
Note: Session topics are indicative and are subject to change.
Capstone project
Throughout the programme, you will complete mini-capstone assignments that are designed to help you apply the knowledge gained from each module in a real-world context. These assignments focus on addressing business challenges through AI technologies, fostering innovation and exploring the practical application of AI solutions in various business processes. Each mini-capstone activity is tailored to align with specific learning outcomes, progressively building your ability to implement AI-driven solutions effectively.
Chief Data and AI Officer Programme with Imperial Executive Education
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge, skills and tools needed to navigate the complexities of today’s AI-driven business landscape. Imperial Executive Education's exceptional leadership training is developed by distinguished industry experts and renowned faculty. These collaborations ensure you will benefit from the latest research and cutting-edge insights, enhancing your readiness for success in the CDAIO role.
Who is this programme for?
This programme is designed for senior leaders shaping enterprise data and AI strategy and responsible for delivering measurable business impact. It is ideal for:
Chief Data, Analytics, or AI Officers (CDAIOs) and equivalent executives seeking to strengthen their mandate and scale enterprise data and AI initiatives across the organisation
Data, analytics and technology leaders such as CDOs, CIOs, CTOs and heads of AI or analytics expanding their responsibilities from functional leadership to enterprise-wide AI strategy and governance
Senior business and transformation executives responsible for driving AI-enabled growth, operational efficiency and large-scale digital transformation initiatives
Risk, governance and technology leaders overseeing cybersecurity, data governance or enterprise architecture who are increasingly accountable for AI oversight and responsible deployment across the organisation
Programme faculty
Expert Chief Data & AI Officer & Honorary Practise Fellow, Imperial Business School
Niresh Rajah is an award-winning Chief Data and AI Officer with senior leadership experience at organisations including DLA Piper, Danske Bank, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group ...
Professor of Digital Strategy and Innovation, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Imperial Business School
Christopher L Tucci teaches programmes in deep tech acceleration, co-creation in AI and robotics, AI ventures, design thinking, digital strategy and innovation management. His...
Advanced Research Fellow at the Institute for Security Science and Technology
Catherine Mulligan is an interdisciplinary researcher whose primary focus is digital technologies. She is also the Founder of the Sustainable Society Digital Collective, a dig...
Fractional CTO and Strategic Adviser
Khalil Dimachkie has an extensive technology leadership background, including ten years as a CTO. He leverages his leadership experience together with his expertise in softwar...
CTO and Technology Adviser
Alfonso Ferrandez is a practising CTO and Technology Advisor for a variety of successful companies. In his early career, he worked for several large organisations, including A...
Cybersecurity Expert Head of Threat Intelligence for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at UBS
Ali Haidar has a notable career in the cybersecurity landscape, specialising in security operations centres (SOCs) and threat intelligence. Throughout his professional journey...
Principal Lecturer (Teaching), Department of Finance, Imperial Business School
Danielle Lyssimachou is an award-winning educator, academic leader and consultant in the field of accounting. Her research has been published in leading academic journals, inc...
Certificate
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will receive a verified digital certificate of completion via email from Imperial Executive Education.
Note: You will earn the Associate Alumni status upon successful completion of the programme. Visit the Associate Alumni page to find out more.
FAQs
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme is a seven-month online executive learning journey from Imperial Executive Education. It prepares senior leaders to align data, analytics and AI with enterprise strategy; build strong data foundations and lead responsible, AI-enabled transformation at scale.
The value of any programme depends on your role and organisational responsibility. If you are leading or scaling AI initiatives, strengthening governance or aligning AI with business strategy, the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme from Imperial Executive Education provides structured frameworks, an enterprise-level perspective and applied learning to help you drive measurable impact.
Unlike technical AI courses, the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme from Imperial Executive Education focuses on enterprise leadership, strategy, governance and transformation. It spans executive foresight, AI strategy, data architecture and applied generative and agentic AI, helping you translate AI capability into business value while managing risk and complexity.
The curriculum includes dedicated modules on generative AI tools, prompt engineering, workflow automation and innovation, along with applied learning on agentic AI and responsible integration. You will learn how to deploy these capabilities strategically while addressing ethical and regulatory considerations.
Upon completing the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme, you will develop the ability to align AI and data initiatives with business strategy, establish scalable data foundations, govern risks and lead enterprise-wide AI transformation. The programme also includes capstone assignments that enable real-world application of learning.
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme is suited to senior leaders responsible for data, AI, governance, risk or digital transformation who want to strengthen strategic alignment, scale AI responsibly and deliver measurable business value.
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme is designed for senior leaders shaping enterprise data and AI strategy and responsible for delivering measurable business impact. It is ideal for executives leading data, AI, technology and business transformation functions who are looking to scale enterprise-wide AI initiatives, strengthen governance, and drive AI-enabled growth.
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme has been designed with your busy schedule in mind. You will be required to commit not more than four to six hours per week, enabling you to benefit from this seven-month programme while fulfilling your day-to-day work responsibilities. This impactful programme offers a blend of self-paced modules and live interaction.
The seven-month learning journey includes live online and video online sessions with renowned faculty, industry experts and global peers. You can take advantage of live sessions and the Slack channel to ask questions and discuss ideas with your cohort success coach and participants. Real-world examples and in-depth programme learnings are delivered through a combination of recorded video and live online lectures.
The programme fee covers teaching fees, all academic material and access to online coursework.
You can pay the full programme fee upfront or pay in easy instalments. If you apply well in advance of the programme start date, you can receive a fee benefit. If you would like to approach your company with a sponsorship request for this programme, here is a customisable template that you can use.
Yes. Closed-captioning and transcripts for all pre-recorded videos and closed-captioning for recordings of live sessions are available.
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support and manages the learning platform services.
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Imperial Executive Education cannot be paid using funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or similar military education benefits or Title IV financial aid funds.
Connect with a programme adviser for a 1:1 session
Our programme advisers have helped senior executives around the world choose the right programme for their career goals. Schedule a 1:1 session to get a deeper understanding of why the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme from Imperial Executive Education is right for you.
Email: learner.success@emeritus.org
Phone: +44 746 045 1107 (UK) / +1 315 236 4838 (US) / +65 3129 7468 (SG)
Early applications are encouraged. Admissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flexible payment options available.
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