AI at Scale - From AI Strategy to AI Transformation
Many organizations initiate AI transformations with high expectations, only to encounter slow progress and limited impact. The "AI at Scale" program addresses these common challenges by equipping middle and senior managers with the tools to effectively develop their organization’s ambition, technology, people, and processes in a balanced manner. This course provides a comprehensive framework to transform your AI initiatives from ideas into scalable, impactful solutions. Gain the insights and skills necessary to drive successful AI transformations and achieve substantial business outcomes.
In cooperation with:
Key facts
Benefits
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of AI strategy and governance
- Learn to identify, prioritize, and implement high-impact AI initiatives
- Explore how to set and align the AI strategy with business objectives
- Understand what can lead to failure of AI initiatives to deliver value
- Develop the skills to manage and scale AI transformations effectively
- Explore the people, governance, and operating model aspects of AI transformation, driving technology adoption and overcoming resistance
- Engage in hands-on exercises, based on industry experience, to apply AI frameworks in real-world scenarios
- Network with peers and experts to share insights and best practices
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
AI at Scale
Application form
Next dates
Program Structure
The first day kicks off with aligning on the importance of getting AI transformation right. You will explore the potential and complexities of AI, understand the broad implications of AI on business models, and gain insights into how you can leverage AI for strategic advantage. We will then examine the pillars of AI strategy and a framework for scaling AI initiatives effectively. The day concludes with an exercise to assess the current AI maturity level within your sphere of influence and identify challenges to the status quo.
Building on your foundational knowledge from Day 1, the second day focuses on strategic planning for AI. You will learn how to set AI ambitions that align with your company’s strategic goals—whether driving innovation, enhancing operational excellence, or boosting profitability. You will also engage in strategic exercises to develop a comprehensive AI vision for your organization and ideate high-value use cases. We will then explore how to manage an AI use case portfolio, from initial concept to full-scale implementation. Along the way, you will dive into the lifecycle of AI initiatives, helping you understand the stages, involved stakeholders, required data, and success metrics. Finally, you will examine common pitfalls and critical success factors in AI projects, preparing you to navigate potential challenges effectively.
On the final day, you will focus on turning your AI strategy into actionable steps. This includes addressing the critical elements of data, governance, and risk management necessary for successful AI implementation. You will learn how to transform data into a value generating asset and ensure your organization has the necessary infrastructure in place to scale. We also look at the people aspects of AI transformation—building trust in the technology, upskilling your workforce, and managing organizational resistance. The day also covers practical steps to implement AI projects, from establishing governance frameworks to refining operational models. Finally, you’ll wrap up your journey with an outlook on future AI trends and insights that will empower you to continue driving AI success within your organization.
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.
Your peers in the AI at Scale 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 AI at Scale program.
Carolin Puppel
Amitai Golub
Philipp Hartmann
Rainer Hoffmann
Hans Rusinek
Matthias Qian
What participants are saying about the AI at Scale program?
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 AI at Scale Program 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 AI at Scale 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 AI at Scale 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.
Need more information?
Contact our program advisors:
- Fill out our Request Information form
- Phone: +49 30 21231 1490
- Email: bd@esmt.org
