Professional/Short course Strategic Leadership for AI and Digital Transformation Programme
About
Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are transforming how organisations operate, compete and create value. Yet many leaders face a common challenge: how to move beyond experimentation and identify where AI can deliver meaningful business impact. In fact, two in three businesses planning AI adoption do not feel prepared to put it into practice, highlighting a growing gap between ambition and implementation. (DSIT, 2026)
Our Strategic Leadership for AI and Digital Transformation Programme at UWE Bristol is designed to help you confidently navigate AI and digital transformation within your organisation. Through practical, challenge-based learning, you'll develop the frameworks, business cases and implementation plans needed to make informed technology decisions and drive meaningful organisational change.
Working alongside peers and industry experts, you'll explore digital strategy, data-informed decision-making, AI-implementation, governance and organisational adoption. Throughout the programme, you'll apply your learning to a live organisational challenge, helping you translate insight into action.
Who is it for?
This programme is designed for professionals responsible for organisational performance, innovation, growth and transformation.
It may be particularly relevant if you are:
- A business owner or entrepreneur
- A Managing Director or senior leader
- An Operations Director or Head of Department
- Responsible for transformation, innovation or growth
- Leading a digital transformation initiative
No prior technical knowledge of AI is required. The programme focuses on leadership, strategy and implementation rather than technical development.
What do I get out of it?
By taking part in the programme, you will:
- Build confidence in leading AI and digital transformation initiatives.
- Understand where AI can create value within your organisation.
- Develop practical approaches to digital strategy and data-informed decision-making.
- Identify and evaluate AI opportunities and use-cases.
- Build a business case for AI investment and adoption.
- Understand responsible AI, governance and cyber resilience.
- Lead organisational adoption and measure impact effectively.
You'll also leave with practical outputs that can be applied directly within your organisation, including:
- A prioritised digital roadmap
- A tested AI use case and business case
- A responsible AI and risk framework
- A digital adoption plan
Why should I do this now?
As AI adoption accelerates across sectors, organisations need leaders who can confidently evaluate opportunities, manage risk and lead digital change. This programme has been designed to help you develop the knowledge, skills and practical tools required to make informed decisions and deliver measurable business value. With over 70% of AI users reporting less time spent on routine work and more time available for strategic activity (Government Digital Service, 2025) the ability to identify, implement and scale effective AI solutions is becoming an increasingly important leadership capability.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this programme.
The programme is aimed at professionals with responsibility for leadership, decision-making, organisational development, innovation or digital transformation. No technical background in AI is required.
How to apply
Click the 'Apply Now' buttonFor further information
- Email: Execed@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81043 (option 1, then option 2)
Structure
Content
The programme consists of:
- One-hour online induction
- Five face-to-face learning days delivered over three months
- Peer action learning sets
- Business support package
Online induction: Setting the Scene - Leading in a Digital Age
- Programme aims and expectations
- Digital and AI maturity diagnostic
- Defining the organisational challenge you'll work on throughout the programme
You'll leave with: A defined digital challenge.
Day 1: Digital Strategy and the AI Opportunity
- The technology landscape leaders need to understand
- AI and automation opportunities
- Digital maturity and capability assessment
- Building a digital roadmap
You'll leave with: A prioritised digital roadmap.
Day 2: Data-Informed Decision Making
- Turning data into actionable insight
- Data quality and governance
- Dashboards, metrics and meaningful measures
- Avoiding bias and misinterpretation
You'll leave with: A decision-ready set of measures.
Day 3: AI in Practice: Tools, Use Cases and Value
- Practical AI tools and applications
- Identifying and testing use cases
- Prompting and rapid experimentation
- Building the business case for AI investment
You'll leave with: A tested AI use-case and business case.
Day 4: Responsible AI, Ethics and Cyber Resilience
- Ethics, transparency and accountability
- AI regulation and governance
- Data protection
- Cyber resilience and risk management
You'll leave with: A responsible AI and risk framework.
Day 5: Leading Digital Adoption and Measuring Impact
- Leading people through change
- Skills, culture and organisational readiness
- Measuring adoption and productivity
- Challenge presentations and peer feedback
You'll leave with: A 90-day digital adoption plan.
Features
Study facilities
This programme is delivered by UWE Bristol at Frenchay Campus. Home to world-class teaching, research and business engagement activity, the campus offers modern learning facilities, collaborative spaces and convenient transport links, creating an ideal environment for professional learning and development.