Implementing AI in the Organization
The AI scaling challenge
Most organizations have completed their first AI pilots, but the critical question remains: how do you move from promising experiments to scalable business impact? Research shows that while 89% of executives see AI's potential, only 27% have successfully scaled AI initiatives beyond initial projects.
The Implementing AI in the Organization program addresses this scaling challenge, equipping leaders with the frameworks and strategies needed to transform AI experiments into sustainable business value.
In cooperation with:
Key facts
Key benefits
- Academic excellence: Developed by ESMT Berlin faculty and delivered in partnership with AppliedAI and Rewire—Europe's leading AI organizations.
- Practical application: Each session combines proven frameworks with hands-on workshops using real organizational challenges.
- Peer learning: Join a carefully selected cohort of senior leaders from diverse industries and company sizes, all focused on scaling AI implementation in their organizations.
- Immediate implementation: All frameworks and tools are designed for immediate application in your organization.
- Future-ready: Curriculum aligned with EU AI Act requirements and emerging regulatory standards.
Your profile
- You are a mid- to senior-level manager who aspires to create lasting impact within your area or function with the help of AI
- You are in or beyond the pilot phases of AI and focused on driving substantial value creation
- You want to learn how to lead AI transformations that go beyond proof-of-concept to deliver real, scalable business benefits
Topics
- Impact of AI on existing and new business models
- AI strategy and transformation frameworks
- Managing AI use case portfolios
- Success factors and pitfalls in AI transformation
- Data requirements, data strategy, and risk management
- People, Governance, and Operating model aspects of AI transformation and bringing the organization along
- Outlook on future trends in AI
Why ESMT?
- Ranked #1 business school in Germany and among the best in the world by the Financial Times
- Located in Berlin, one of Europe's biggest startup hubs
- The program is delivered in collaboration with market experts appliedAI and Rewire
Downloads
Implementing AI in the Organization
Application form
Next dates
Program Structure
This intensive three-day program combines rigorous academic frameworks with practical implementation strategies, designed for leaders in organizations of all sizes who need to move AI from pilot to production.
Strategic foundation & Assessment
You will establish a comprehensive understanding of AI's strategic implications for your business. Through our practical AI readiness assessment, you'll identify your current position and map realistic pathways for scaling. The day concludes with developing implementation strategies that address common barriers to AI adoption in organizations of varying sizes.
Key outcomes: AI strategy framework, maturity assessment, organizational readiness plan
Portfolio management & Use-case development
You will move beyond theoretical foundations and develop practical skills in AI portfolio management. Working with real-world scenarios, you will learn to evaluate, prioritize, and structure AI initiatives for maximum impact. Our systematic approach to use case development ensures alignment between AI investments and business objectives.
Key outcomes: AI portfolio strategy, use case evaluation framework, implementation roadmap
Governance, Change management & Scaling
The final day focuses on operationalizing your AI initiatives. You'll address critical elements including data governance, risk management, and change management appropriate for your organization's size and complexity. Through interactive workshops, you'll develop practical approaches to building AI capabilities, managing implementation challenges, and establishing governance structures that enable sustainable scaling.
Key outcomes: Governance framework, change management strategy, scaling methodology
How you will learn
The program offers an engaging, high-impact learning experience, strategically combining interactive methods such as lectures by leading academics, experts, and business leaders with real-world transformation experience, group discussions, workshops, exercises for applied practice, and impulse talks with AI practitioners and startups.
Apply this program toward your AI Executive Certificate
This program counts toward ESMT Berlin’s AI Executive Certificate. Complete any mix of AI programs totaling 6 learning days and earn a credential aligned with the EU AI Act.
Your peers in the Implementing AI in the Organization program
Join a diverse cohort of senior professionals and decision-makers who are leading AI transformation across industries and functions.
- Industries: Participants come from finance and insurance, technology and IT services, media and communications, manufacturing and engineering, and the public sector and consulting.
- Backgrounds: The cohort includes CEOs and founders, heads of strategy, innovation, and digital transformation, senior leaders in marketing, IT, and operations, along with product and project managers in AI-driven roles.
- Company sizes: Participants represent a mix of large global corporations, mid-sized enterprises, and fast-scaling startups, reflecting the varied contexts in which AI is being applied and scaled.
Note: These insights are based on the inaugural cohort of the Implementing AI in the Organization program.
Carolin Puppel
Amitai Golub
Philipp Hartmann
Rainer Hoffmann
Hans Rusinek
Matthias Qian
Hear from our participants
Successful AI scaling isn't a side effect—it's hard work that begins with asking the right questions, not chasing the next use case.
The Implementing AI in the Organization came at exactly the right moment, reinforcing that we need a clear strategy tied to a solid business case and realistic implementation expectations.
What made the Implementing AI in the Organization program truly special were the people—not just exploring AI, but actively shaping how it scales and impacts our world.
With thought-provoking sessions bridging business and academia, we gained both strategic insights and the courage to ask the tough questions that matter.
The Implementing AI in the Organization program at ESMT Berlin is perfectly tailored for leaders navigating the complexity of AI implementation.
In industries where scaling AI is both a challenge and a game changer, this program provides the strategic vision and practical roadmaps needed to transform AI potential into sustainable business value.
About our partners
AppliedAI
AppliedAI is Europe’s largest initiative for applying trustworthy AI technology in companies, founded in 2017 by Dr. Andreas Liebl. By fostering cooperation and open exchange, appliedAI enables partners to implement AI more affordably and efficiently. Applied AI acts as both an enabler and innovator, integrating strategy, structure, corporate culture, technology, and regulation. Since 2022, it has functioned as a joint venture between UnternehmerTUM and Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI). To date, appliedAI has trained over 40,000 individuals and supported hundreds of companies in applying AI.
Rewire
Rewire is Europe’s leading specialist data & AI professional services company. Founded in 2006, today it has over 130 staff in Benelux and DACH. Rewire operationalizes every aspect of artificial intelligence, from machine learning to Gen AI, to create AI-native organizations. Next to its Data & AI Transformation services and customizable functional solutions, Rewire strengthens critical data & AI skillsets through its GAIN professional development academy, combining human and artificial intelligence to help client teams achieve entirely new performance levels.
Earn Your Postgraduate Diploma
This program can be taken as part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Management curriculum.
Questions?
We understand that choosing the right executive education program is an important decision. Below are some common questions to help you navigate the details of our offerings. If you have any additional inquiries, feel free to reach out to us!
What is included in the program fee?
The program fee covers tuition, all academic materials (primarily in electronic form), access to online resources, daytime catering at the ESMT Campus (lunch and coffee breaks), some dinners, and a certificate of attendance. Please note that travel, accommodation, and catering during program modules held outside the ESMT Campus are not included. Payment is required before the program begins. Please also consider our general terms and conditions.
What is the application process, and how can I apply?
Click the "Apply" button to access our service portal, where you can quickly register for one or more programs and track your application status. Alternatively, you can download a PDF application form from each program page. While most programs have no fixed registration deadline, we recommend early registration due to the preparation required and limited spaces, which are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
After submitting your application, we will review it and either send you a confirmation (which finalizes your registration) or contact you for further discussion to ensure the program is the right fit for you.
Are there discounts available?
We offer a 25% discount on program fees for our degree program alumni. No additional discounts are available.
Need personalized guidance?
Reach out to our program advisors – choose the option that works best for you:
- Email: bd@esmt.org
- Phone: +49 30 21231 6205
- Consultation call: Book a consultation
