Applied AI and Innovation
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE || International PROGRAM
This intensive professional certificate program equips you to design and launch AI-powered solutions for real business challenges. Go from concept to creation. Work in teams, build a professional project portfolio, and master the strategies and tools that drive global innovation.
This Intensive One-Quarter Certificate is Perfect For...
...ambitious innovators, including international students seeking condensed AI-and-business training, professionals ready to level up, entrepreneurs turning ideas into impact, and business or tech students pursuing roles in digital innovation or leadership.
What you'll learn...
- Identify high-value business problems and design effective, user-centered AI solutions
- Apply modern business frameworks like Lean Startup and ROI analysis to guide your AI projects from idea to launch
- Master generative AI and advanced prompt engineering to create compelling content and automate complex tasks
- Translate data into persuasive stories, evaluate the ethics of AI, and confidently present your strategies to stakeholders
increase in AI-related job postings on LinkedIn during the past year, while overall postings stayed nearly flat.
wage premium earned by professionals who list AI skills such as prompt engineering on their résumés
of CIOs and CTOs plan to expand their teams as generative-AI adoption grows.
of organizations already use AI in at least one business function
This professional certificate consists of three sequential content courses plus an 11-week capstone studio. Designed to be taken together for a continuous learning arc, the program follows a consistent weekly rhythm with online modules released each Friday, live lecture/discussions on Tuesdays, and hands-on labs on Thursdays, followed by capstone studio sessions after each live block. The capstone project builds throughout the term, culminating in an extended final sprint in Weeks 10–11 and a final project showcase.
Students seeking a shorter commitment or targeted skill development may enroll in any combination of Courses X490A, X490B, and X490C individually instead of completing the full program.
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MGMNT X490A – AI Foundations, Strategy & Responsible Innovation
Foundations of applied AI, value creation, design thinking, strategy alignment, and responsible innovation.
Weekly flow: Friday: async prep → Tuesday: lecture/discussion → Thursday: innovation lab.
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MGMNT X490B – Applied Gen AI: Prompting & Practical Tools
Hands-on generative AI and prompting patterns, tool comparisons, evaluation/A-B testing, and applied use cases.
Weekly flow: Friday: async prep → Tuesday: lecture/discussion → Thursday: innovation lab.
Read more about this course. |
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MGMNT X490C – AI Communication, Workflows & Business Impact
Data storytelling, workflow design, stakeholder communication, and framing ROI and risk.
Weekly flow: Friday async prep → Tuesday lecture/discussion → Thursday: innovation lab.
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MGMNT X490D – AI Innovation Capstone Studio
Continuous 11-week studio dedicated to a single team project. Plan, prototype, iterate, and refine your AI solution each week, applying lessons from lectures and labs. The Tuesday and Thursday sessions in Weeks 10–11 extend to 5–8 PM for a final sprint, focused on finalizing and presenting team projects.
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Important Course Information:
- International Students need to apply to the International Certificate Programs before enrolling in classes from this course schedule.
- Non-International Students please see the professional certificate page
- All times are Pacific Time. Location: UCSB Campus, Santa Barbara.
International Student Application
Non-international students interested in this topic, please contact help@professional.ucsb.edu