Creating AI-Fluent Innovators For The Future Of Business

Artificial intelligence has quickly found its way into nearly every aspect of modern business operations, from supply chain to financial modeling and customer service. According to McKinsey, 86% of business leaders expect AI to fundamentally transform their organizations by 2030. This is leading to rapid growth in AI-related roles. In its Future of Jobs Report, the World Economic Forum states that skills in areas such as AI and big data, technological literacy, and leadership will be among the most in-demand skills in the coming years.  

To meet this growing demand, the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University — the university named #1 in innovation for over a decade — developed the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business (MS-AIB). The first program of its kind at a U.S. business school, the MS-AIB curriculum combines technical machine learning and data analytics skills with business fundamentals, including strategy.  

“I chose W. P. Carey again because of their incredible focus on innovation,” says Tyler Lai (BS Computer Information Systems ’24, MS-AIB ’25). “They are leading the way with forward-thinking programs like this one, which blends AI and business in a truly unique way.” 

The school also offers an MBA concentration in AI, leveraging much of the same course content and faculty to provide an innovative experience for Full-time MBA and working professional MBA students. Graduates from all W. P. Carey master’s and MBA programs are prepared to apply AI mindfully across broad industries and situations. 

“AI represents a shift in how organizations do business,” says Houston Holohan (BS Finance ’20, MBA ’25), a co-founder of ASU’s AI in Business Club. “This club provides students with opportunities to learn how this technology is transforming traditional roles, hear from industry professionals, and participate in hands-on workshops with these tools.” 

Being On The Leading Edge 

AI is more integrated into business operations than ever before. Business school students need to be aware of this technology and know how to harness its power to make smart, responsible business decisions. Today’s most effective business leaders must be fluent in both strategic decision-making and AI-driven insight.  

The W. P. Carey MS-AIB and MBA concentration in AI were specifically designed to address this issue. Central to the curriculum is a focus on leading AI-enabled change. Students learn how to evaluate and communicate the organizational impact of AI use, and how to navigate issues of privacy and ethics. 

“We teach students not just how to apply AI, but how to approach it with care and accountability,” says Pei-yu (Sharon) Chen, professor and chair of the W. P. Carey Department of Information Systems. “Is this model fair? Are we using the right data? How will this affect people? These are the questions we encourage students to ask.” 

Mindful use of AI and its human impact is at the core of the program. “We’re not just learning to code; we’re learning to inspire, lead, and drive meaningful change across organizations,” says program graduate Nora Mawashi (MS-AIB ’25). “This focus on the human side of technological innovation taught me that to truly harness the power of AI, we need to align it with human potential and organizational goals.” 

As part of its initiative to be an AI-forward business school, W. P. Carey is also home to the Center for AI and Data Analytics (AIDA) for Business and Society, a research center dedicated to advancing the mindful, ethical use of AI and data analytics. Chen serves as co-director of the center, which exposes students to research projects and education about the responsible and mindful applications of AI. 

Building Career-Ready Innovators 

The W. P. Carey School’s MS-AIB program and MBA concentration in AI go beyond theory to give students hands-on experience applying AI to real business challenges. Throughout the programs, students utilize their technical skills, business knowledge, and ethical reasoning to develop responsible AI strategies and solutions. 

“What surprised me most is how quickly the MS-AIB program reshapes the way you think,” says student Abhi Sorari (BS Business Data Analytics/Supply Chain Management ’25, MS-AIB ’26). “It’s not just about learning AI tools; it’s about learning to view problems as systems, identify patterns earlier, and challenge assumptions more effectively. The most impactful part has been developing a sharper, more structured decision-making mindset that applies immediately in real situations.” 

Classes give students experience with advanced tools such as predictive modeling and machine learning algorithms. They then apply these tools to real business situations to learn how to analyze data and make decisions in a variety of settings.  

Faculty members are industry professionals and innovators in the AI space, which ensures that coursework reflects current practices and emerging trends. Through group projects, case studies, and hands-on assignments, students gain an understanding of what it really means to work with AI in a business environment. 

“This hands-on approach has not only built my confidence but also prepared me to tackle complex challenges in my career,” says alum Isaac-John Onwuamaegbu (BS Computer Information Systems ’24, MS-AIB ’25). “I was surprised by how everything we study is designed to prepare us for the complexities of the business technology world.”

W.P. Carey students becomeproficientAI users and learn how to innovate and design their own solutions using emerging technologies. The AI in Business Club provides a valuable avenue to expand their networks and understanding.  

“We saw an opportunity for students to learn how to strategically apply this technology to business,” says co-founder Jen Marey (BS Finance/Accountancy ’19, MBA ’25). “We created the AI in Business Club to explore how it enhances efficiency and adaptability while fostering conversations about ethics, tools, and insights from industry leaders.” 

Designed For Accessibility And Flexibility 

As with all programs at W. P. Carey, the MS-AIB was designed with accessibility in mind. The program is available in multiple formats: in-person at ASU’s Tempe campus, and other locations in the future, as well as 100% online. No matter whether students are in Arizona or located out of state — and whether they’re just starting their careers or looking to make a mid-career pivot into a more AI-focused role — the MS-AIB can meet them where they are. 

Professor Geoff Pofahl explains why accessibility to this program is so vital. “Never before in the history of humanity has it been as easy as it is today to learn about the very technology I’m talking about right now,” he says. “The more people who are thinking about this, the more likely it is that we’re able to steer these developments in a productive, useful, human-compatible way.” 

The Tempe MS-AIB program offers an immersive experience, allowing students to collaborate closely with their peers and faculty members while benefiting from all of the resources of being on the ASU campus. For those seeking deeper specialization, an optional custom track allows Tempe students to add depth in a specific subject, such as financial technology, marketing, or supply chain management. 

The Online MS-AIB is perfect for working professionals, as it offers the same rigorous curriculum taught by the same faculty in a flexible format. Students are able to continue working and advancing in their careers while becoming fluent in AI technology, and they can immediately apply what they learn in their courses to their work. 

Future students can also start the master’s in AI program with a certificate pathway. The 100% online Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Business and Certificate in Business Analytics from W. P. Carey Executive Education help build immediately applicable skills and knowledge in machine learning and data analysis. Importantly, credits earned from these certificates can be transferred into the W. P. Carey MS-AIB, in addition to other master’s and MBA programs.  

AI use in business will only continue to grow, so it’s up to the business leaders of today and tomorrow to shape how this technology is used for different purposes. The key will be deciding how to utilize these tools ethically and strategically. 

The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business at W. P. Carey is built around that belief. Through a strong emphasis on the mindful application of AI, all of the W. P. Carey master’s and MBA programs develop leaders across industries and sectors who are ready to solve pressing issues for organizations, communities, and the world. 

Discover why W. P. Carey is the business school for AI innovators everywhere.  

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The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is the largest business school in the United States, with more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students — and 130,000+ alumni around the world. There are more than 60 ways to earn a W. P. Carey degree, including our first-of-its-kind master’s in AI in business. Entrepreneurship and innovation are key to our curriculum and your experience. 

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