MBA AI Strategy
*pending accreditation
AI is here. The question is who leads it. The MBA AI Strategy prepares you to understand, evaluate, and strategically drive AI initiatives in your organisation.
YOUR MBA AI STRATEGY AT A GLANCE
AI is no longer just an IT topic. It is reshaping business models, decision-making processes, and competitive landscapes across every industry and every level of management. Forward-thinking organisations are not looking for engineers. They need leaders who can assess AI’s strategic potential, separate opportunity from risk, and drive transformation.
That is what you learn in the MBA AI Strategy. You will understand how modern AI systems work without writing a single line of code. You will evaluate investment decisions, build AI roadmaps, and lead cross-functional teams at the intersection of technology and business. In doing so, you will translate AI into measurable business value and secure one of the most sought-after leadership roles of the coming years.
"Leadership in the age of AI means, on the one hand, leading with AI and, on the other hand, leading AI."
Prof. Dr. Martin Manhembué
Program Director, Professor of Data Science Management
Who is this MBA for?
The MBA AI Strategy is designed for (future) leaders and decision-makers who want to deploy AI strategically. No coding or IT background required, but a willingness to take ownership of AI initiatives.
- Department heads & functional leaders who need to evaluate, steer, and own AI projects within their organisation
- CEOs & C-Suite executives who want to integrate AI strategically into business models, processes, and decision-making
- Strategy consultants & innovation managers who guide organisations through AI transformation and develop future-proof roadmaps
accreditation pending
This program is currently undergoing the state accreditation approval process. Sign up for the waiting list now to receive all the details as soon as approval is granted.
WHAT THE MBA IN AI STRATEGY
OFFERS YOU
The program provides strategic AI knowledge for leaders and executives, combining direct practical application with academic depth.
Manage AI strategically
You’ll learn to identify AI opportunities for your business, evaluate their economic potential, and translate them into concrete roadmaps. No coding required.
Proactively shape transformation
AI is transforming structures, roles, and cultures. You’ll learn how to manage change processes, guide teams through transformation, and turn resistance into momentum.
Approach Regulatory Affairs responsibly
From the EU AI Act to ethical governance structures: You’ll navigate the regulatory framework with confidence and implement AI responsibly.
Flexible alongside your job
A semi-virtual format with optional in-person sessions; semesters begin in October. The MBA fits into your daily leadership routine, not the other way around.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AN MBA IN STRATEGY?
The MBA in AI Strategy is starting soon. Sign up now, and we’ll be the first to let you know when applications open.
Curriculum
Become an AI Strategist in 3 semesters full-time. Build the basics during your first semester, and choose your specialisation in semesters two and three. Finish with a Capstone Project.
In the first semester, you build the foundation. All students take the same five core modules, regardless of their later specialization. You develop a shared understanding of AI, data, and strategic implementation that carries through the entire programme.
Foundations of AI
Understand AI, without a mathematics degree. You learn how modern AI systems actually work, from Machine Learning to Large Language Models, and develop a realistic sense of what is technically feasible. You become a credible sparring partner for Data Scientists and IT vendors.
- Demystifying AI: history, hype vs. reality, current state
- How does a machine learn? Supervised, Unsupervised, Reinforcement Learning
- Deep Learning & Neural Networks: how they work and why data is the currency
- Generative AI & LLMs: transformers, tokens, probabilistics
- Responsible AI: hallucinations, bias, explainability
Decision-Making with Data
Data alone decides nothing. People do. You learn how data-driven decision processes are built, how to critically assess AI-generated insights, and how to make a solid business case for AI investments.
- Data-driven decision architectures
- Statistical foundations for strategic decisions
- ROI assessment of AI initiatives
- Handling uncertainty and incomplete data
- Visualising and communicating analytical results
Business Models, Products & Services with AI
AI changes what organisations can offer and how they create value. You analyse how AI transforms existing business models, unlocks new digital revenue streams, and what role platforms and data play in that shift.
- AI-driven business model innovation
- Platform economics and network effects
- Product development with and through AI
- New revenue models in the digital economy
- AI-focused Business Model Canvas
Technology for Executives
You don’t need to be a technologist, but you need to understand what you’re deciding on. This module explains cloud infrastructure, API economics, and IT sourcing strategies so you can make confident make-or-buy decisions and manage technology partners effectively.
- Cloud computing: strategically classifying IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
- Data infrastructure: Data Warehouse, Data Lake, Data Readiness
- API economics: integrating external innovation into your value chain
- Sourcing strategies: Total Cost of Ownership and Strategic Fit
- Legacy IT and vendor lock-in: identifying and minimising risks
AI Strategy Implementation & Project Management
Strategy without execution is wishful thinking. You learn to plan AI initiatives as business-critical transformation projects, manage them with hybrid and agile methods, and drive the transfer into live operations.
- Developing AI roadmaps and presenting them to stakeholders
- Agile and hybrid project management for AI initiatives
- Change communication and stakeholder management
- Evaluating, prioritizing, and monitoring AI projects
- Moving from pilot to production
In the second semester, your specializations start. You complete two modules from your first specialisation and the first module of your second, alongside two elective modules.
Specialization 1 — Module 1
Complete your first track, either:
- Leadership & AI
- Responsible & Secure AI
- Agentic AI
- Methods & Approaches
Specialization 1 — Module 2
Complete your first track, either:
- Leadership & AI
- Responsible & Secure AI
- Agentic AI
- Methods & Approaches
Specialization 2 — Module 1
Complete your second track, either:
- Leadership & AI
- Responsible & Secure AI
- Agentic AI
- Methods & Approaches
Elective Module 1
Add a module that interests you most. An overview of all available electives can be found under Elective Modules.
Elective Module 2
Add a module that interests you most. An overview of all available electives can be found under Elective Modules.
The third semester completes your specialisation and concludes with the final thesis.
Specialisation 2 — Module 2
Complete your second track, either:
- Leadership & AI
- Responsible & Secure AI
- Agentic AI
- Methods & Approaches
Elective Module 3
Choose a third module that interests you most. An overview of all available electives can be found under Elective Modules.
Capstone Project (= Final Thesis)
You carry out a business-relevant AI project and document it academically. The submission window is 16 weeks.
From the second semester, you deep-dive into two areas that will sharpen your personal leadership profile. Each track consists of two modules, completed across semesters 2 and 3.
Track I: Leadership & AI
- Shaping change processes in AI transformations
- Leading and developing human-AI teams
- Rethinking organisational structures and job profiles
- AI-supported strategy and decision-making
- Recognising and constructively addressing AI anxiety
Modules: Leadership & AI | AI Transformation in Organisations
Track II: Responsible & Secure AI
- Translating the EU AI Act into internal processes
- Building governance and compliance structures
- Ethically evaluating AI systems and deploying them responsibly
- Managing cyber resilience and security risks of AI systems
Modules: Governance, Ethics & Compliance of AI Systems | Resilience & Security of AI Systems
Track III: Agentic AI
- Understanding and strategically deploying autonomous AI systems
- Designing and integrating intelligent agent workflows
- Managing multi-agent systems in production environments
- Moving beyond basic prompting
Modules: Agentic AI & RAG Workflow Engineering Lab | Agentic AI Designer & Operations Lab
Track IV: Methods & Approaches
- Applying advanced research methods
- Critically evaluating AI-generated insights
- Making evidence-based strategy and governance decisions
- Systematically analysing complex market dynamics
Modules: Advanced Research Methods | Creative Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
Over the course of the programme, you take three elective modules based on your personal interests. These allow you to extend your profile independently of your chosen tracks.
Group A — Strategic & methodological
- Leadership & AI
- AI Transformation in Organisations
- Governance, Ethics & Compliance of AI Systems
- Resilience & Security of AI Systems
- Agentic AI & RAG Workflow Engineering Lab
- Agentic AI Designer & Operations Lab
- Creative Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
- Advanced Research Methods
Group B — Technical modules (prerequisite: Python & Statistics foundations)
- Data Management & Governance
- Data Analytics
- Software Development & Simulations
- Machine Learning
- Data Experience & Data Governance
More Than a Degree
What sets the MBA AI Strategy apart from other programmes are three formats that connect theory and practice directly.
DBU AI Fellows
Each module features two external practitioners, through video content or live formats. You learn from people who are actively leading AI transformations right now, not just from academic faculty.
DBU Excursions
Two to three times a year, your cohort visits selected companies for a day and a half, with talks, insights, and a shared dinner. An optional format for those who want to build a strong C-suite network beyond the classroom.
Capstone Project
No fabricated case study. From the first to the last semester, you work on a real AI challenge from your own organisation. Academically rigorous, immediately applicable. The result is something you can use from day one.
Meet Your Faculty
Discover an academic environment shaped by expertise and real-world experience. Your faculty combines academic rigour with direct practical relevance.
Accreditation & Recognition
Here’s what you’ll need:
College degree
With a master’s degree, diploma or equivalent qualification, you are directly admitted and can get started.
A bachelor’s degree may also be sufficient. Any missing credits can be made up through supplementary modules, also directly at DBU.
Your field of study doesn’t matter. Whether business, engineering, natural sciences or something else entirely: what counts is not what you studied, but what you made of it.
Work experience
You bring at least 3 years of qualified professional experience. Employment or self-employment are equally valid. Parental leave is taken into account flexibly.
In individual cases, we can credit your professional experience directly, which may shorten your study duration.
No prior programming experience is required
You don’t need to know how to code or have any prior IT experience. The MBA program starts with a common foundation and guarantees a steep learning curve for students from all backgrounds.
Recognition of prior learning
DBU Courses & Certificates
Have you already completed a DBU course? Up to 30 ECTS credits can be directly applied toward your MBA. This shortens the duration of your program and makes it easier to get started.
External Training & Certifications
Learning achievements from non-university providers are also taken into account, provided their content is relevant to the program.
Work experience
Do you have more than 3 years of professional experience related to the program content? This can make up for any missing ECTS credits from your first degree.
Tuition Fees
Earn your MBA in 18 months. Intensive, focused, and straight to the point.
Frequently Asked Questions About the MBA in AI Strategy
I'm a busy executive. How many hours per week should I plan for?
The programme is designed for exactly this situation. Expect approximately 15 to 20 hours per week, spread across self-study, virtual sessions, and optional on-site workshops. Content is accessible asynchronously, so you study when it fits your schedule.
I don't have a technical background. Can I keep up?
Yes, that is the whole point. The MBA AI Strategy is designed specifically for people without a technical background. You learn how AI works and what it can do, without writing a single line of code. The necessary foundation is built together in the first semester.
What makes this MBA different from a generic Executive MBA?
The MBA AI Strategy is fully specialised in AI strategy. This is not a general management programme with one AI module attached. Every aspect of the curriculum is aligned with the strategic leadership of AI transformation, from the first module to the final thesis.
Is the degree internationally recognized?
Yes. DBU is a state-accredited university under German higher education law, accredited by ACQUIN. The MBA degree is fully equivalent to other state university degrees in Germany and is internationally recognized within the Bologna framework (which covers over 49 countries).
The program is taught in English. What does that mean in practice?
All sessions, materials, and assessments are in English. The final thesis can be submitted in German on request. A B2 level is recommended, but no formal language certificate is required for admission.
When can I start, and how does the application work?
The MBA starts on October 1. After you apply, we will be in touch to clarify any outstanding documents. Once your application is reviewed, you will receive your study agreement and can begin on your chosen start date.
Can I transfer credits from previous qualifications?
Yes. If you have completed DBU courses such as AI Leadership or AI Expert, or can demonstrate other relevant academic achievements, we will assess recognition. This may reduce your study duration and total fees.
Are tuition fees tax-deductible?
In many countries, professional development expenses for employed individuals are tax-deductible. In Germany, fees for work-related education are typically deductible as professional expenses (Werbungskosten). We recommend keeping all receipts and consulting your local tax advisor for your specific situation.
Questions about the MBA
in AI Strategy?
Marleen and Nina from the DBU team are happy to assist you personally.
