Universities are charging up to $28,000 to train executives to become chief AI officers

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integral to various industries, US universities are stepping up to equip executives with the necessary skills to assume chief AI officer positions. These specialized programs are designed to train business leaders to lead AI initiatives, establish scalable infrastructure, and drive transformative adoption of the technology.

The University of Chicago's Booth School of Business is spearheading such efforts, offering a 10-month online course with in-person components that covers strategy design, responsible governance, and measurable business outcomes. Currently, the course costs $28,000, but students can take advantage of a $2,240 discount, reducing the price to $25,760 if paid by September 11.

The program is set to begin on September 28 and consists of six core modules that guide executives in assessing their organization's AI-readiness, identifying AI-powered business opportunities, implementing best practices, and shaping AI deployment. While executives rush to upgrade their skills for AI-driven opportunities, influential tech leaders like Elon Musk, Alex Karp, and Peter Thiel are advocating for high school graduates to bypass college education.

Thiel's Palantir co-founded program, the Meritocracy Fellowship, even offers a paid four-month internship to those who forgo traditional higher education, suggesting that corporate training may be a viable alternative, albeit perhaps not as beneficial in other industries.