Business Analytics and AI: Decision-Making Using Data
Leverage data and analytics to drive innovation and growth
The Business Analytics and AI: Decision-Making Using Data programme from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education is designed for decision-makers seeking to translate AI and data into strategic business advantage. As organisations increasingly rely on data and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve forecasting, optimise operations, enhance customer experiences and identify growth opportunities, executives across functions must be equipped to translate data insights into strategic action and measurable business impact.
Led by distinguished Cambridge Judge Business School faculty, this eight-week programme combines analytics, AI, machine learning, generative AI and causal analytics with a strong emphasis on practical business application. Through a blend of online learning, real-world case studies, applied exercises and live online sessions, you will develop the ability to make data-driven decisions, evaluate business opportunities through an analytical lens and apply AI-enabled insights to real business challenges. Upon completion of the programme, you will emerge with the confidence and capability to leverage data and AI effectively, influence strategic decisions and drive business performance in an increasingly data-driven world.
Key takeaways
Over eight weeks, the online Business Analytics and AI: Decision-Making Using Data programme will help you:
Identify the correct data to scope and improve decision-making in your organisation
Identify the uses, benefits and drawbacks of big data
Design experiments to answer questions about assessing different opportunities in an organisation
Leverage machine learning to create value in your organisation
Recognise causal analytics that will help link actions to the desired outcomes
Utilise generative AI as your business assistant
Understand key legal and ethical concepts that apply to organisations’ use of data and AI
Identify common organisational barriers that prevent the implementation of AI for data-driven decision-making
Who is this programme for?
This programme is designed for executives and leaders who want to harness business analytics and AI to make more informed strategic, operational and organisational decisions. It is particularly relevant for:
Senior leaders responsible for driving digital, operational or AI-enabled transformation initiatives across their organisations
Functional leaders, managers and consultants looking to apply analytics and AI to improve decision-making, forecasting, efficiency and business performance
Technology, data and analytics professionals aiming to strengthen their business acumen and transition into more strategic, decision-oriented leadership roles
Risk, governance, audit and compliance professionals looking to understand how AI and data can support responsible, evidence-based decision-making across the organisation
Professionals preparing for an AI-driven business environment who want to future-proof their capabilities and lead with greater confidence using data and AI
Note: This programme does not require technical expertise or prerequisites for completion.
Programme curriculum
Module 1: Mapping Business Decisions to Data
Understand how organisations ensure that appropriate data guides their decisions to achieve better results.
Module 2: Getting Creative with Big Data
Learn how to generate value from available data with a creative mindset, and apply learnings to find the best solutions to presented problems.
Module 3: Experimental Design
Understand how experiments should be designed based on the robust principles of experimental design – identifying key performance drivers and testing alternative hypotheses.
Module 4: Machine Learning
Analyse the intuition of different algorithms, and evaluate their trade-offs.
Module 5: Causal Analytics
Explore the significance of causal analytics in demonstrating business value, and learn different methods to run causal analysis.
Module 6: Generative AI
Gain a comprehensive understanding of what generative AI and machine learning are, how they are different from each other and the intuition of how generative AI works.
Module 7: Legal and Ethical Use of Data and AI
Explore the legal and ethical dimensions of data usage in the context of machine learning and generative AI.
Module 8: Making Business Analytics and AI Happen
Learn to align projects with business goals, and foster a data-driven culture to overcome organisational challenges in analytics projects.
Live sessions
Gain deeper insights into data analytics and other emerging topics through live online sessions hosted by Professors Nektarios (Aris) Oraiopoulos and David Stillwell. These sessions will also be recorded and made available for viewing at your convenience.*
Big Data and AI News
In this session, we review the latest big data and AI developments from the last few months and their impact on organisations and society. We also discuss practical tips of how executives can stay abreast of future AI developments
Experimental Design for Value Creation
In this session, we discuss how AI can speed up your experimentation machine by allowing you to test a broader range of ideas faster. We also demonstrate how to test the robustness of your experimental design and analyse the data in a compelling way.
Guest speaker: Navigating Modern Challenges in AI and Data
In this session, a guest speaker will present their own views and experiences of AI and data, with time for Q&A from the audience.
Ethical Data: Lessons from Cambridge Analytica
In this session, we examine how algorithms infer personal traits from everyday social media data and the ethical questions this raises. Through case studies on dating apps and hiring, learn to weigh consent, transparency and the trade-offs between algorithmic and human decisions, closing with four principles for responsible deployment.
Making it Happen
In this session, we analyse the factors that cause data analytics and AI projects to fail and their organisational implications. We also develop actionable strategies to overcome those barriers and ensure alignment with business objectives.
Note: Session topics are indicative and subject to change.
Testimonials
Case studies and industry examples
Apollo Therapeutics
Examine how the biopharmaceutical company streamlined decision-making and improved the efficiency of drug discovery and development in a highly uncertain environment.
Amazon
Discover how the ecommerce giant addressed the challenges of managing rapid growth and maintaining innovation by restructuring its teams and decision-making processes.
DBS
Explore how the banking major leveraged data-driven decision-making and a culture of experimentation to drive its digital transformation and enhance customer experience.
Uber
Analyse how the ride-sharing app used data and experimentation to understand the impact of late trips on customer spending and develop effective strategies for regaining customer satisfaction.
Netflix
Understand how the streaming giant used its competition to improve its search and recommendation algorithms.
Air Canada
Learn how the airline addressed the challenges of using chatbots for customer service, especially in ensuring the accuracy of information provided to customers in critical situations.
Roche Pharma
Learn how data science teams in the pharmaceuticals major aligned real-world evidence projects with key metrics, including revenue, cost, speed and success probability, to impact decision-making.
DeepSea AI
Discover how DeepSea AI redesigned its proof of value process to address customer reluctance and successfully target specific profiles.
AstraZeneca
Understand how AstraZeneca’s digital health strategy, through its Evinova division, optimised its oncology clinical trials.
How you will learn
Scenario-based learning
Apply core concepts to evaluate the uses, challenges and considerations of business analytics in your organisation.
Self-study activities
Test your knowledge of programme concepts and their real-world applications through assignments and knowledge checks.
Workbook exercises
Apply programme concepts to real-world scenarios through workbook-based exercises that are integrated into each module.
Case studies
Analyse a broad range of real-world examples, and gain a practical understanding of business and data analytics applications.
Discussions
Enhance learning as you share your experiences with peers and exchange key takeaways from lectures and guest interviews.
Live sessions
Gain deeper insights into emerging topics like data analytics through live sessions with leading Cambridge faculty.
Faculty
Nektarios (Aris) Oraiopoulos
Professor of Operations and Technology Management
Nektarios (Aris) Oraiopoulos’s research is focused on understanding how organisations make high-stakes decisions, including whether to invest in a new project, when to termina...
David Stillwell
Professor of Computational Social Science
David Stillwell’s work impacts a wide range of applications, from targeted online advertising, psychometric adaptive test development and ipsative techniques in test design to...
Guest speaker
Luis Garcia-Gancedo, PhD
Senior Director, Digital Health Strategy, Oncology Therapeutic Area at Evinova, AstraZeneca
Luis Garcia-Gancedo is a digital health leader who is passionate about applying technology to improve healthcare. His research is focused on the development of novel miniaturi...
Business Analytics and AI programme with CJBS Executive Education
Draws on Cambridge Judge Business School’s expertise in AI, digital innovation and data-driven decision-making.
Explores how organisations can leverage analytics and AI to enhance business performance, improve operational effectiveness and support strategic decision-making.
Features Cambridge Judge Business School faculty who have deep research and applied expertise across technology, strategy and organisational transformation.
Focuses on practical business application and strategic implementation rather than coding-intensive technical training.
Combines rigorous academic insight with real-world business relevance through case studies, industry examples and applied learning.
Equips professionals with the confidence to lead effectively in an increasingly AI- and data-driven business environment.
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded a digital certificate of completion from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education.
Please note that this programme can be incorporated into the completion of the Cambridge General Management Certificate of Achievement (GMCA). It will be credited as an 'in-person' two-day programme for the purpose of meeting the GMCA requirements. If you require more details on the GMCA and wish to speak to our advisers, please contact executive.education@jbs.cam.ac.uk.
Note: After successful completion of the online programme, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the programme. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education.
FAQs
The Programme
How do I know if this programme is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the programme landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the programme brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions about whether this data analytics course is a good fit for you, please email us on the email address mentioned above learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated programme adviser will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this programme?
Some programmes do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the programme landing page, as well as in the programme brochure. If you are uncertain about programme prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.
Note that, unless otherwise stated on the programme web page, all programmes are taught in English, and proficiency in English is required.
What is the typical class profile?
More than 50 per cent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry and geography, leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.
What other dates will this programme be offered in the future?
Check back at this programme web page, or email us to inquire if future programme dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
The Learning Experience
How much time is required each week?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will my time be spent?
We have designed this programme to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities, including:
Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific programme schedule
Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
Completing your final project, if required
The data analytics course is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on programme activities.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 per cent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programmes said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.
All the contents of this data analytics course would be made available to students at the commencement of the programme. However, to ensure the programme delivers the desired learning outcomes, the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the programme in a cohort-based manner,the cost of which is already included in the overall programme fee of the programme.
A dedicated programme support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
How do I interact with other programme participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the programme. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
Certification
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enrol. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programmes are designed to fit into your working life.
This data analytics course is scored as a pass or no-pass. Participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programmes include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the programme brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific programme requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter or resume and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the programme, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this programme?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this data analytics course. In some cases, there are credits that count towards a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the programme brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and programme materials for 12 months following the programme start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
Technical Requirements
What equipment or technical requirements are there for this programme?
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and transcripts.
Do I need to be online to access the programme content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access programme content from a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you can view them later.
Payment Process
Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the programme without missing any of the core programme material or learnings.
What is the programme fee and what forms of payment do you accept?
The programme fee is noted at the top of this programme web page and usually referenced in the programme brochure as well.
Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this programme web page next to FEE).
If you apply by an early deadline, you may receive a programme fee benefit. If you believe you may qualify for other discounts, please check with your programme adviser to confirm the applicable discount that will provide the greatest benefit and if there are specific terms and conditions for use. For more information, please connect with a learning adviser or email learner.success@emeritus.org
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the programme currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your programme adviser or email us for details.
I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?
Yes! Please email us with the details of the programme you are interested in, and we will assist you.
How can I obtain an invoice for payment?
Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific programme you’re interested in enrolling in.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this programme?
Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the programme fee in instalments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.
How can I obtain a W9 form?
Please connect with us via email for assistance.
Who will be collecting the payment for the programme?
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the programme?
Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
Refund Policy
What is the programme refund and deferral policy?
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Programme Advisers or call us at +44 203 479 4043 (UK) / +1 315 819 0707 (US) / +65 3163 8580 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
Starts on