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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Success Factor AI: Strategies for Digital Transformation

Given the rapid technological advancements, it is crucial to successfully integrate AI today in order to remain competitive. This seminar is offered in cooperation with the "Institute for Business Artificial Intelligence" (IBAI) at the University of Cologne. The institute combines cutting-edge research with practical solutions, providing the latest insights and hands-on approaches for digital transformation. Focused on practical application and current trends, the seminar imparts valuable knowledge to develop a successful AI strategy and stay competitive in the digital transformation.

Download the brochure with all information about the modules, the lecturers and all dates for the start of our seminar.

Certificate

Certificate

Issued by University of Cologne Business School
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Programme Description

The programme Artificial Intelligence – Compact Knowledge for Professionals and Executives provides practical insights into the fundamental methods and concepts of AI. Participants will learn to develop an AI strategy, effectively apply AI technologies, and leverage AI's potential to optimize business processes. Learning about Artificial Intelligence is crucial today, as AI technologies increasingly form the foundation for innovation and efficiency in companies. Professionals and executives who understand and apply AI are better equipped to optimize business processes, make informed decisions, and remain competitive. By learning AI strategies and applications, companies can not only boost their productivity but also develop new business models and successfully navigate digital transformation.

Objectives

  • Learn the fundamental concepts and methods of AI.
  • Develop an AI strategy for your own company.
  • Utilise AI applications to improve business processes and foster innovation.
  • Ensure ethical and regulatory compliance in the implementation of AI.

Highlights

  • Practical examples and case studies from the industry.
  • Interactive workshops and discussion sessions.
  • Access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities.
  • Certificate upon completion of the programme.

Target Audience

This hands-on seminar is designed for professionals and executives from all industries, providing the knowledge and tools to develop and implement an AI strategy.

Format

3 modules

 

The Institute für Business Artificial Intelligence

The Institute for Business Artificial Intelligence (AI) bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and practice by establishing close partnerships with companies and collaborating on innovative solutions. Through its work, businesses can fully leverage the benefits of artificial intelligence and optimize their processes. The institute focuses on applying AI across various industries and fields, utilizing the latest methods and technologies. Its goal is to help companies enhance their competitiveness and unlock new revenue potential. More information here: ifBAi 

 

All modules at a glance

Module 1: AI Methods

  • Principles and Fundamentals of AI: Learn the basics of AI, including Machine Learning, as well as concepts like Supervised and Unsupervised Learning, and Deep Learning.
  • Application of AI Methods: Discover how simple regression and classification models work and how they can contribute to decision-making.
  • New AI Developments: Explore the latest tools and trends in AI, such as ChatGPT, and learn how to integrate them into your daily work.

Date: 2 July 2025 in Cologne, UCBS Campus

Lecturer: Prof. Dr Markus Weinmann, University of Cologne and Institut für Business Artificial Intelligence

Module 2: AI Strategy

  • The Importance of AI for Businesses: Understand the reasons behind the rapid growth of AI, driven by technological trends such as Cloud Computing, IoT, and Social Media, as well as new analytical methods for large datasets.
  • AI in the Context of Strategy Development: Learn how strategic questions can be translated into concrete AI applications through practical case studies. We highlight the importance of "use-case roadmaps," which align strategic initiatives with their associated AI applications.
  • AI Transformations: Discover how companies can successfully implement corporate strategies using AI. You will learn about the core elements of transformative approaches, including the relevant IT stack, necessary in-house skills, comprehensive data availability and governance, and an adapted operating model.

Date: 3 July 2025 in Cologne, UCBS Campus

Lecturer:  Dr Peter Breuer, Institut für Business Artificial Intelligence und Konstanze Reinecke-Schneider, McKinsey Company  

Module 3: AI Implementation

  • Organisation and Structure: Learn how to build an AI function and integrate it into existing structures. Discuss the pros and cons of dedicated AI teams, AI hubs, and product teams.
  • Building AI Systems: Understand the importance of context in AI development, the characteristics and lifecycle of AI systems, and the benefits of agile development and DevOps.
  • Ethics, Bias, and Regulation: Recognise the challenges posed by data bias and the importance of regulatory requirements (GDPR, EU AI Act). Learn how to implement test-driven ethics in AI development.

Date:  4 July 2025 in Cologne, UCBS Campus

Lecturers: Prof. Dr Christoph Rosenkranz, Prof. Dr Detlef Schoder and Mei Wu-Gehbauer, University of Cologne

Lecturers

Dr Peter Breuer (Programme Director)

Dr Peter Breuer began his career after studying and earning his doctorate in mathematics at the University of Cologne and the University of Duisburg. He then joined the strategic consulting firm McKinsey & Company. As a co-founder of McKinsey's global AI practice, he led McKinsey Analytics and parts of McKinsey's tech ecosystem in various roles both in Germany and internationally. During his approximately 30 years at McKinsey, he supported retail companies worldwide in their AI transformations. Today, he holds a lectureship in Business Analytics at the University of Cologne.

 

Prof. Dr Markus Weinmann (Programme Director)

Prof. Dr Markus Weinmann holds the Chair for Business Analytics at the University of Cologne. He teaches and conducts research on data-driven decision-making in a business context. His work has been published in renowned academic journals and is frequently adopted by practitioners.

 

Mei Wu-Gehbauer

Mei Wu-Gehbauer has over 15 years of industry experience in executive roles in digital innovation and digital transformation. She specializes in leading data expert and engineering teams and in large-scale AI-driven transformation in enterprise context. Currently, she is pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Cologne, focusing on designing AI-based systems for effective human-AI collaboration. Her research is published at international conferences.

 

Konstanze Reinecke-Schneider

Konstanze Reinecke-Schneider brings extensive experience in Digital & Analytics, with a particular focus on the insurance sector. After studying Business Administration at EBS Business School and Arizona State University, and completing an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau and Singapore, she started her professional career at McKinsey & Company in 2011. Since 2021, she has been a Partner in McKinsey's Cologne office.

Throughout her career, she has advised insurance companies across Europe, Africa, and Asia, including both private and public health insurers. Her expertise lies in driving transformations that enhance growth and productivity, particularly through digitalisation, analytics, and artificial intelligence. She is also focused on how these technologies impact the future of work within the insurance industry.

Prof. Dr Christoph Rosenkranz

Prof. Dr Christoph Rosenkranz heads the Chair for Information Systems and Integrated Information Systems at the University of Cologne. He teaches and conducts research on the development of information systems as well as data and process management. He regularly publishes his findings in international journals and presents at international conferences.

 

Prof. Dr Detlef Schoder

Prof. Dr Detlef Schoder is the Founding and Managing Director of the Institute for Information Systems (CIIS) at the University of Cologne. His focus areas in collaborative projects with industry encompass Generative AI, Business Analytics, Digital Transformation, and the use of AI methods for decision support in (print) media production, trading on financial and crypto markets, and logistics. According to the "Handelsblatt" ranking in Business Administration, he is one of the most research-intensive scholars in the field of Information Systems in the German-speaking world.