PLANO, Texas, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Simplilearn, a global leader in digital upskilling, and UVA Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning have launched AI for Business Strategy, a new executive program designed to address a growing leadership challenge. The program goes beyond what AI can do, equipping professionals to understand where it creates value, how to apply it effectively, and when an AI investment makes business sense. The program develops the strategic and technical fluency leaders need to evaluate AI opportunities, navigate risk and governance, and lead AI initiatives from experimentation to measurable business impact.
As organizations continue to increase their investments in AI, translating that investment into meaningful business outcomes remains a challenge. A recent PwC report found that, among more than 4,400 CEOs worldwide, only 12% said AI had improved both their revenue and costs. As companies move from experimenting with AI toward deciding where and how to apply it, leaders need to evaluate more than the technology itself. They must consider business value, workflow design, implementation requirements, risk, governance, human adoption, and the evidence needed to determine whether an initiative should move forward.
Speaking about the program, Krishna Kumar, Founder and CEO, Simplilearn, said, "AI is no longer simply a technology decision. For business leaders, the more important questions are where AI can create meaningful value, which initiatives are worth pursuing, and how to implement and govern them. Through AI for Business Strategy, we aim to help leaders develop the judgment and practical frameworks to make those decisions with greater clarity. Our partnership with UVA Darden brings together academic expertise and applied learning to help leaders move from AI experimentation to more deliberate, responsible business action."
AI for Business Strategy program guides leaders through the technical and organizational questions that shape how AI is applied in organizations. Learners examine the distinctions between generative and predictive AI, when retrieval may make more sense than fine-tuning, and the assumptions that should be challenged when evaluating an AI proposal. They also consider which aspects of work should be augmented, automated, or kept human-led. They then build the technical fluency to assess different AI approaches, consider how much autonomy to give AI, and explore opportunities to use AI across products, customer experiences, and growth. The program also addresses the human side of adoption, including the psychology of AI trust and workforce transformation, before moving into AI investment, ROI, governance, risk, and executive decision rights.
The curriculum is developed and delivered by the UVA Darden faculty, and the learning is anchored in application rather than theory alone. Throughout the program, learners apply their learning to a real organizational opportunity, progressively developing a 90-Day AI Strategy Brief for an organizational AI initiative. The brief connects the AI opportunity to business priorities, measurable outcomes, human oversight, and the decisions required to move the initiative forward.
Designed for professionals with 8+ years of leadership and business transformation experience who are accountable for decisions that shape organizational direction, the 10-week program requires no prior AI or coding experience. The learning experience combines self-paced content with three 90-minute live online sessions led by UVA Darden faculty, along with real-world examples, case studies,assignments, and other applied learning activities that connect strategic concepts with practical business decisions. Upon successful completion, learners will receive a digital, non-credit certificate and digital badge from UVA Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning.
Commenting on the program, Wesley Best, Director, Educational Technologies and Digital Programs, UVA Darden, said, "We developed these learning experiences to help professionals lead in an AI-enabled organization and translate AI's potential into meaningful business value. Rather than focusing primarily on technical fluency or AI literacy, the programs start with the business; helping leaders identify where AI can create value, make better strategic decisions, prepare their organizations for change, and improve outcomes for their organizations and customers."
About UVA Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning
UVA Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning delivers award-winning, immersive learning experiences designed to accelerate performance and drive lasting impact for professionals and organizations. Delivered by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation and taught by faculty from the Darden School of Business, Darden Executive Education offers flexible, noncredit certificate pathways for individuals and groups at all career levels, as well as tailored talent development solutions for organizations. Learning is provided on Darden's Grounds in Charlottesville, in the Washington, D.C., area, and through online and live virtual programs .
About Simplilearn
Founded in 2010, Simplilearn, a Blackstone portfolio company, is a global leader in digital upskilling, enabling learners across the globe with access to world-class training for individuals and businesses. Simplilearn offers 1,500+ live classes each month across 150+ countries, impacting over 15 million learners worldwide. Its programs are designed and delivered in collaboration with world-renowned universities, top corporations, and leading industry bodies. From early-career professionals to managers, executives, small businesses, and large enterprises, Simplilearn's role-based, skill-focused, industry-recognized, and globally relevant training programs provide ideal upskilling solutions for diverse career or business goals.
For more information, please visit www.simplilearn.com
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