Chief Data and AI Officer Programme
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Chief Data and AI Officer Programme: Combine data and AI to lead enterprise transformation
Through a curriculum spanning executive leadership, AI strategy, data strategy, enterprise data architecture and governance, generative AI and agentic AI, you will develop the capabilities to build robust data foundations and lead AI initiatives at scale. Faculty insights, real-world case studies, applied capstone assignments and expert-led sessions help you connect AI innovation with enterprise priorities, manage risk and governance, and translate technology into operational impact. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive Associate Alumni status.
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What will you learn in the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme?
Key takeaways
Strategic foresight: anticipate and respond to technological disruption through strategic foresight and informed executive decision-making in an AI-driven economy.
Enterprise transformation: lead enterprise-wide digital, data and AI transformation that aligns technological capabilities with organisational strategy and long-term value creation.
AI strategy: design and operationalise enterprise AI, data and analytics strategies, enabling scalable adoption and cross-functional integration across the organisation.
Emerging technologies: evaluate and govern emerging technologies, including generative and agentic AI, balancing innovation, enterprise value, cybersecurity and environmental, social and governance considerations.
Data foundations: build trusted data and analytics foundations that support transparency, accountability and evidence-based leadership decisions.
Responsible AI: deploy AI responsibly and at scale, addressing ethical, regulatory and organisational implications while driving innovation and operational performance.
How is the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme structured?
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: The Role of the C-Suite in Driving Digital Transformation
Module 3: ESG: Balancing Profitability and Responsibility
Module 4: ROI on Technology Initiatives
Module 5: Leading through Flux
Module 6: Strategic Cybersecurity
Phase 2: Business Transformation with Gen AI, Agentic AI and Beyond | Online | 6 weeks
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 7: Fundamentals of AI in Business
Module 8: Generative AI Tools and Prompt Engineering
Module 9: Automating Workflows with GenAI
Module 10: Innovation and Competitive Advantage through GenAI
Module 11: Managing Organisational Impacts and Strategic Integration
Module 12: Ethical Considerations and Risk Management in AI
Phase 3: AI Strategy and Business Transformation | Online | 5 weeks
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 13: Developing an AI Strategy aligned to Business Strategy
Module 14: The Role of the Chief Data & AI Officer
Module 15: Preparing an Organisation for AI Transformation
Module 16: Leading Data & AI Transformations
Module 17: AI Adoption and Change Management
Phase 4: Architecting Data Strategy and Analytics | Online | 7 weeks
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 18: Strategic Data Frameworks
Module 19: End-to-End Data Management
Module 20: Building Scalable Data Architecture & Platforms
Module 21: Leveraging Business Intelligence Tools
Module 22: Data Entrepreneurship - Leveraging External Data
Module 23: Data Governance Policies and Compliance
Module 24: Managing Data Risk, Data Privacy and Protection
Live sessions on agentic AI
The programme includes interactive live online sessions focused on agentic AI, helping you explore how autonomous, goal-driven AI systems can support end-to-end business processes. Through guided discussions and expert-led insights, you will examine how agent-based AI technologies may shape future workflows, innovation pathways and strategic integration, while considering governance, risk and practical approaches to integrating agentic AI into existing teams and workflows.
Note: Session topics are indicative and are subject to change.
How does the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme use applied learning?
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme combines expert-led live online sessions, real-world case studies and applied capstone assignments to help you connect programme learning with business challenges.
Capstone project
Throughout the programme, you will complete mini capstone assignments that apply the knowledge gained across the modules to real-world business challenges. Each assignment focuses on using AI technologies to address specific business challenges, explore practical applications across business processes and foster innovation. The activities are aligned with learning outcomes, progressively developing your ability to apply AI-driven solutions in a business context.
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 College London 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 an Associate Alumni status upon successful completion of the programme, with access to the Imperial College London 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.
Who is this programme for?
Senior leaders | Shaping enterprise data and AI strategy and scaling data and AI initiatives across the organisation |
Data, analytics and technology leaders | Expanding their responsibilities from functional leadership to enterprise-wide AI strategy and governance |
Senior business and transformation executives | Driving AI-enabled growth, operational efficiency and large-scale digital transformation initiatives |
Risk, governance and technology leaders | Overseeing cybersecurity, data governance or enterprise architecture and taking greater responsibility for AI oversight and responsible deployment |
Meet the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme faculty
Niresh Rajah
Expert Chief Data & AI Officer and Honorary Practise Fellow, Imperial Business School
Niresh Rajah is an award-winning Chief Data and AI Officer with senior leadership experience at organisations such as DLA Piper, Danske Bank, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group an...
Christopher L Tucci, PhD
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...
Catherine Mulligan, PhD, MPhil
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...
Khalil Dimachkie
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...
Alfonso Ferrandez
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...
Ali Haidar
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...
Danielle Lyssimachou, PhD
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...
Chief Data and AI Officer Programme Credentials
Certificate: Chief Data and AI Officer Programme
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 an Associate Alumni status upon successful completion of the programme. Visit the Associate Alumni page to find out more.
Chief Data and AI Officer Programme with Imperial Executive Education
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme from Imperial College London equips you with the knowledge, skills and tools to navigate the complexities of today’s AI-driven business landscape. The programme brings together insights from distinguished industry experts and faculty, helping you develop the capabilities needed to respond to the evolving demands of the Chief Data and AI Officer role and lead AI-driven transformation.
FAQs
Programme
What is the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme?
The Chief Data and AI Officer Programme is a seven-month online executive learning journey from Imperial College London. 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.
Is the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme worth it for senior leaders?
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 College London provides structured frameworks, an enterprise-level perspective and applied learning to help you deliver measurable impact.
What makes the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme different from other AI programmes?
Unlike technical AI programmes, the Chief Data and AI Officer Programme from Imperial College London 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.
How can the programme support my transition into a Chief Data and AI Officer role?
The programme develops capabilities across executive leadership, AI strategy, data and analytics, governance, organisational transformation and responsible AI. It also helps senior professionals develop the broader strategic perspective required to lead enterprise data and AI transformation.
Does the programme cover generative AI and agentic AI?
Yes. The curriculum includes dedicated modules on generative AI tools, prompt engineering, strategic integration and innovation, along with applied learning on agentic AI and responsible integration. You will explore how these capabilities can be deployed strategically while addressing ethical, organisational and regulatory considerations. The programme also includes three live sessions with expert faculty covering agentic AI.
Learning journey
What is the learning format of the programme?
The seven-month learning journey includes live online and video online sessions with 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 programme learnings are delivered through a combination of recorded video and live online lectures.
What is the time commitment expected from me?
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. The programme offers a blend of self-paced modules and live interaction.
How do the live sessions work?
The programme includes expert-led live online sessions focused on agentic AI. These sessions explore how autonomous, goal-driven AI systems can support end-to-end business processes, with guided discussions covering future workflows, innovation pathways, strategic integration, governance, risk and practical approaches to integrating agentic AI into existing teams and workflows.
Does the programme include real-world case studies?
Yes. The programme includes real-world case studies and industry examples that help you understand the evolving Chief Data and AI Officer role and business landscape.
What topics will I cover during the programme?
You will explore topics including executive leadership, digital transformation, strategic cybersecurity, generative AI, prompt engineering, AI adoption and change management, AI strategy, data strategy, scalable data architecture, business intelligence, data governance, and data risk, privacy and protection.
Does the programme offer closed captioning for videos included in the curriculum?
Yes. Closed captioning and transcripts for all pre-recorded videos and closed captioning for recordings of live sessions are available.
Certificate
What will I receive after successful completion of the programme?
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will receive a verified digital certificate of completion via email from Imperial College London.
You will earn Associate Alumni status upon successful completion of the programme. Visit the Associate Alumni page to find out more.
Payment process
Is there any discount or financial aid?
You can pay the full programme fee upfront or 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.
What is included in the price of the programme?
The programme fee covers teaching fees, all academic material and access to online coursework.
Who will be collecting the payment for the programme?
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support and manages the learning platform services.
Refund policy
What is the programme refund and referral policy?
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
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 College London 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.
Accessibility
How does Emeritus support accessibility for learners?
Emeritus is committed to making high-quality education accessible and affordable to individuals, companies and governments around the world. If you have questions about accessibility or would like to discuss available support options before enrolling, please contact accessibility@emeritus.org. For more information about our accessibility practices, please review our Accessibility Policy here.
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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