UVA Darden Charts Path for Responsible Business and Human Excellence in the Age of AI

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business’ Artificial Intelligence Initiative, bolstered by the largest gift in School history from Dave (MBA ’78) and Kathy LaCross and Darden’s Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning, announces new offerings and ideas to help chart the course of responsible business and human excellence in the age of artificial intelligence.

The offerings include:

• Two new Darden courses on Coursera;
• An AI course partnership with Google;
• An executive education program for senior leaders; and
• Faculty-focused thought leadership on building trust in the age of AI.

Coursera Courses Powered by the Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning

Human Excellence in the Age of AI

Finding meaningful work and happiness in the AI age depends on a person’s ability to learn, unlearn and re-learn at the pace of technological change. In the new three-module course Human Excellence in the AI Age, Edward D. Hess, Darden Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, lays the groundwork for personal development and exceptional leadership in an era of exponential technological growth. Based on Hess’ recent book, Own Your Own Work Journey, the course provides tools for resiliency and strategies to work towards “Best Self.” To complete the graded assignments and earn a certificate costs $49.

Generative AI in Marketing Specialization

This new four-course series by Darden Professor Raj Venkatesan explains how to enhance marketing creativity using Generative AI. Participants will learn about the use of Generative AI for content marketing, advertising and customer service and will learn the key strategic considerations of change management and ethics in Generative AI. Completion of the course will provide learners with a certificate.

Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning Partnership With Google

On April 26, Google announced the launch of a new online “AI Essentials” course designed and taught by its AI experts. The course teaches foundational AI skills and best practices, and how to use AI responsibly. Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning is partnering with Google to make the course available to its clients, through its open-enrollment offerings and custom solutions for organizations. Google and employers including Citigroup will use the course to upskill employees in AI skills.

In-Person Executive Education Program for Senior Executives

Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning will offer an interactive, hands-on program led by Professors Tim Laseter and Dennie Kim called “Driving Ethical Innovation in the Age of AI.” The three-day program starting on Nov. 13 at UVA Darden DC Metro is designed for busy senior executives who need to better understand the impact of disruptive technologies, AI’s ethical considerations and how to leverage emerging technology to drive innovation ahead of the competition.

Darden Ideas Shape the AI Conversation

As a world leader in business ethics and supported by its Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Darden continues to drive the conversation around artificial intelligence through the lenses of ethics and human excellence and wellbeing. Here are a few recent articles on the topics from Darden experts:

• Q&A: Post-Sabbatical, Scott Beardsley Assesses the Opportunities Ahead for Darden by McGregor McCance for The Darden Report
• The Economist Breaking Ranks to Warn of AI’s Transformative Power describes the work of Darden Professor Anton Korinek in Time Magazine
• Building Stakeholder Trust in Artificial Intelligence features research by Darden faculty Raj Venkatesan, Luca Cian and Roshni Raveendhran.
• Humans at the Heart of AI by Molly Mitchell for The Darden Report
• Smart Technology, Education and the Future of Democracy by Edward D. Hess in Darden Ideas to Action

For more information on Darden’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative, visit here.

For more information on Darden’s Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning, visit here.