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Master of AI Strategy and Innovation

Master of AI Strategy and Innovation

Lead organizations strategically and ethically through the world of artificial intelligence with an online Master of AI Strategy and Innovation. Go beyond a single artificial intelligence course with a curriculum that empowers you to drive innovation, solve high-impact challenges, and build beneficial AI solutions.

At a Glance

38 days left to apply

Average 16 Months to Completion

Start date: January 4, 2027

Expert Faculty Mentorship

Format: Online
Tuition: $40,110
Term: Spring 2027
10 Courses

Why Choose a Master of AI Strategy and Innovation from Wake Forest

The Master of AI Strategy and Innovation program takes a holistic, human-centered approach to artificial intelligence.

Developed in collaboration with industry experts, the curriculum blends technical skill-building with strategic leadership and cross-functional communication, so that you can guide organizations through digital transformation with confidence and clarity

Rooted in Wake Forest’s Pro Humanitate mission, you’ll explore issues like bias, privacy, transparency, and global regulatory standards, gaining the tools to champion responsible innovation. Whether you’re advancing in tech, healthcare, finance, or the public sector, this program equips you to lead AI initiatives that create lasting, positive impact.

Meet the Advisory Board

Master of AI Strategy and Innovation Core Courses

You’ll complete 7 required online courses, including a capstone that brings everything together. Each course lasts 7.5 weeks. There’s no required order for these courses, so you are free to take courses in the sequence that works best for your schedule, depending on availability.

AI Foundation and Evolution

Course ID: AIN 710

Gain knowledge of the overview and historical progression of AI. This course will cover key topics such as machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing, and the historical milestones that have shaped the development of AI. It will also explore the current landscape and future directions of AI, emphasizing its use in various industries to give students a thorough understanding of AI's foundational theories, practical applications, and evolutionary trajectory.

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Strategic Leadership in AI

Course ID: AIN 712

Learn and perform the best practices for building AI systems in real-world applications. This course will include modules on change management specific to AI implementation. Students will build AI systems knowledge and the skills necessary to develop and implement AI strategies effectively in diverse organizational contexts.

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Emerging Tools and Technologies in AI

Course ID: AIN 714

Learn to leverage the latest tools and methodologies in the field. In this course, students will track the continuous iterations of AI as one of the most rapidly evolving technologies of our time through large language model (LLM) benchmarking. Students will experiment with various LLMs, learning to craft and refine prompts to optimize model outputs for different application

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Applications of Machine Learning Techniques

Course ID: AIN 720

Gain deeper understanding of machine learning techniques, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. This course will cover key algorithms—such as linear regression, decision trees, support vector machines, k-means clustering, and neural networks—and emphasize practical applications. It will help students become proficient in selecting and applying appropriate machine learning techniques to solve complex problems.

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Ethics and Responsible AI

Course ID: AIN 722

Explore the key areas of consideration when deploying products that contain AI. This course will cover the social, political, and economic effects that AI may have on society, including an understanding of public concerns with AI such as economic, equity, and human rights. Students will study diverse ethical issues that arise with the widespread and rapid integration of AI technologies, as well as the tools and frameworks for ensuring ethical AI practices to mitigate AI bias.

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AI Implementation Across Industries

Course ID: AIN 724

Learn more about the selection and implementation of AI across various industries and teams. This course will equip students with the skills to leverage AI technologies in interdisciplinary contexts to foster collaboration, ethical decision-making, problem-solving, and impactful integration. Students will review real-world, industry-specific case studies and strategic frameworks in various sectors.

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Capstone: Interdisciplinary AI Project

Course ID: AIN 799

Demonstrate applied comprehensive AI knowledge to real-world problems using practical techniques and interdisciplinary approaches. The capstone project will vary depending on student interest and goals. Students will work with practicing professionals or industry partners in a relevant field to define and develop their capstone project. Students must complete all core courses prior to the capstone project.

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Master of AI Strategy and Innovation Electives

You will choose 3 electives to take at any time during the program when your selection is available. Wake Forest SPS designs electives with flexibility and relevance in mind. You’ll have access to a wide range of courses across all programs, so you can tailor your learning and deepen your expertise to meet your goals. Below is what is recommended by the program’s academic director.

Deep Learning and Advanced AI

Course ID: AIN 750

Explore the foundations of neural networks, deep learning networks, and their various problems. This course will have students participate in hands-on labs with real-world datasets to enhance practical skills and use prompt engineering to interact with advanced models.

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Applied Computer Vision for AI

Course ID: AIN 751

Gain an introduction to computer vision by exploring a combination of traditional AI, machine learning, image processing, and mathematical theories to provide ways of programming a computer to understand visual imagery. The course will expose students to the techniques required to efficiently analyze images for representation in applicable context scenarios.

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Strategic Communication

Course ID: CMS 722

Internal and external stakeholders expect greater transparency and responsiveness from organizational leaders today. This course emphasizes the practice of internal and external strategic communications through the analysis of case studies. This course examines real organizational challenges and students work to identify solutions.

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Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence

Course ID: FTA 724

Explore the impact of machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence tools in finance. While learners will not engage in coding or the building of machine learning and AI tools, this course will cover the practical application of these tools to solve problems in asset management, corporate finance, and financial institution settings.

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Artificial Intelligence for Health Informatics

Course ID: HIF 752

This course will review the foundations of artificial intelligence (AI) with applications to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of diseases. Learners will differentiate various artificial intelligence concepts and enabling technologies, and discover and employ processes used in designing and implementing artificial intelligence systems to prevent bias and inequities.

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Leadership and Change Management

Course ID: LDR 722

Explore the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to successfully undertake change. This course delves into the leadership principles, styles, frameworks, and skills required to guide, motivate, and direct teams. Learners will develop the ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals, teams, and organizations in organizational change.

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AI Ethics and Marketing Responsibility

Course ID: DMG 714

Navigate the Ethics of AI Marketing & Data Privacy Protect your brand and build consumer trust in the age of artificial intelligence. This course explores the complex ethics of modern marketing, focusing on AI brand responsibility, disclosure, and product liability. You will examine critical emerging issues surrounding consumer privacy—from the buying and selling of personal data to the use of AI for predicting and influencing human behavior. Equip yourself with the strategic knowledge to lead ethical marketing practices and safeguard your brand's reputation.

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The people who develop & continually refine programs bring expertise from…

AI is a powerful tool, but real transformation happens when leaders become AI-Augmented—using AI to amplify human insight, judgment, and creativity. Wake Forest’s AI Strategy & Innovation program equips leaders to thrive in that future.

Darren W Pulsipher, Chief Solution Architect for Public Sector at Intel and PAB Member

Ready to
start your tomorrow?

Your goals are within reach—and we’re here to help you get there.

Meet the Experts Guiding Your Journey

Program Faculty

Advisory Board

Ranked #2

Best Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence (2026) from Learn.org

Ranked #2

Best Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence (2026) from Learn.org

Where Your Master of AI Strategy and Innovation Can Take You

With a Master of AI Strategy and Innovation, you’ll be prepared to lead at the intersection of technology, business, and ethics—where AI is transforming every industry. Graduates are equipped to step into forward-looking roles such as AI Strategy Lead, Innovation Director, Digital Transformation Consultant, Product Manager, or Responsible AI Officer. These roles are in demand across sectors like healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, and government, where organizations are seeking professionals who can turn emerging technologies into strategic advantages.

The career outlook is strong: according to PwC, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, driving demand for leaders who can implement AI thoughtfully and at scale. As a Wake Forest graduate, you’ll be ready to shape the future of AI—not just by building smarter systems, but by ensuring those systems are fair, transparent, and aligned with human values.

Financial Aid

Admissions Criteria

Master of AI Strategy and Innovation FAQs

What is the Master of AI Strategy and Innovation at Wake Forest?

It is the fully online master’s program from Wake Forest University’s School of Professional Studies that prepares working professionals to lead organizations strategically and ethically using artificial intelligence (AI).

How much does the Master of AI Strategy and Innovation program cost?

Tuition for the 2026-2027 Master of AI Strategy and Innovation degree is $40,110. Most students complete the program in 16 months.

How many courses are required to complete the Master of AI Strategy and Innovation degree?

The Master of AI Strategy and Innovation degree consists of 10 courses total: 7 required core courses, including a capstone, plus 3 electives from any program you choose based on your goals.

Is there a required course sequence?

No, there is no required order for the courses. You can take courses in the order that works best for your schedule, based on availability.

What topics does the Master of AI Strategy and Innovation curriculum cover?

Core courses for the Master of AI Strategy and Innovation cover AI foundations, strategic leadership, emerging tools and technologies, machine learning techniques, ethics and responsible AI, and industry implementation, all culminating in an interdisciplinary capstone project.

How does Wake Forest approach ethics in AI?

Ethics is woven throughout the curriculum, rooted in Wake Forest’s Pro Humanitate mission, with a dedicated course on Ethics and Responsible AI that covers biad, transparency, privacy, and global regulatory standards.

Who developed the curriculum for the Master of AI Strategy and Innovation program?

The Master of AI Strategy and Innovation curriculum was developed in collaboration with an advisory board of industry experts from organizations including IBM, Inter, Chase, and Amazon Web Services.

Has the Master of AI Strategy and Innovation degree received any external recognition?

Yes, the Wake Forest SPS Master of AI Strategy and Innovation degree was ranked No. 2 for Best Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence for 2026 by learn.org

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