Navigating Generative AI for Leaders

In this course, we delve into the potential impact of GenAI on various facets of business with a particular focus on customer value creation and productivity. We’ll review research from leaders in academia and industry to understand emerging thinking on GenAI’s business impact. Imagine a future where GenAI not only drives business growth but also reshapes the very fabric of industry operations. That's the transformative power of GenAI. Guest expert Robert Brenner (University of Illinois) will share his thoughts on what’s coming next and the implications this might have for businesses. We’ll build on this foundation to provide a framework for developing your generative AI strategy. You will go hands-on to put the “Business Model Canvas” into action via the Coursera Playground, a private environment where you can leverage powerful large language models as a strategic thought partner. The provided prompts will guide you through the development of your GenAI strategy. This learn-by-doing approach will leave you with an actionable generative AI strategy and a deep appreciation of the power of generative AI as a thought partner. Finally, the course will provide you with case studies on how Coursera has leveraged genAI to deliver customer value and productivity. You’ll hear about the teams we tapped to react with agility and the research we reviewed to guide our efforts. These case studies provide a blueprint for follow up work to turn your new strategy into reality.

This course is primarily focused on preparing your organization for the successful integration of Generative AI. It emphasizes the importance of engaging and training your workforce on GenAI, discussing the unique aspects of a GenAI transformation, and offering practical guidance on readying your organization. Strategies for skilling your workforce on GenAI are provided, ensuring that everyone from executives to team members can effectively utilize this technology. The course also underscores the importance of engaging key stakeholders, including the board of directors, partners, and customers, on GenAI. It offers insights on effective communication about GenAI and its implications for your business, ensuring all stakeholders are well-informed and aligned with the organization's GenAI strategy.

This course is designed to guide CEOs and senior leaders on their journey to understanding and leveraging Generative AI. It focuses on the critical role of the CEO in navigating the transformative potential of GenAI. Guest speakers, Andrew Ng (Co-founder and Chairman of Coursera) and Hayden Brown (CEO of Upwork) provide their perspectives on the importance of this journey and how leaders can maximize their impact. In this course, learners will get hands-on experiences with GenAI within our live “playground” environment with private access to powerful large language models. You'll explore how GenAI can serve as a 'thought partner', enhancing critical areas of their role such as information synthesis, decision-making, and effective communication. Imagine having a partner who can help you sift through vast amounts of data, identify key insights, and aid in making strategic decisions. That's the promise of GenAI. Finally, guest lecturers Jules White (Vanderbilt) and Andrew Ng (Stanford and DeepLearning.AI) will provide an executive summary of how Generative AI works as well as what it is capable and not capable of.