Leading in Times of AI
Enabling Bertelsmann executives across the group to build and lead AI-ready teams
In an AI-driven future, leadership is key to unlocking business value. Success requires more than just technology—it demands rethinking structures, culture, incentives, processes, and the way we experiment. This program equips leaders with the skills to navigate these challenges and lead with confidence in the age of AI.
What is Leading in Times of AI?
Complementing the group-wide upskilling efforts of the Bertelsmann Scholarship, Leading in Times of AI is a program developed by Bertelsmann University to prepare leaders across all divisions to create and guide truly AI-ready organizations.
The program’s purpose is to equip leaders with the leadership, cultural, and organizational development capabilities needed to move AI beyond pilot projects—towards scaled adoption and tangible business impact within their area of responsibility.
Grounded in the latest research and thought leadership on the future of organizations in the era of Generative AI, the program focuses on three core dimensions:
- Role model: Develop and demonstrate AI literacy.
- Culture: Make AI experimentation safe, normal, and expected.
- Organization / Team: Re-define value creation, organizational/process design and capability.
What you can expect
Leading in Times of AI is composed of an online leadership learning journey on the coursera platform. Participants are required to complete two learning paths qualifying for a sharable completion badge each:
The AI Literate Leader
Leading in Times of AI
- Role of the CEO in navigating Generative AI
- Empowering and transforming your organization with Generative AI
- Generative AI for Leaders
- AI, Business and the Future of Work
- Change Management for Generative AI
Successful participation requires the completion of both badges by end of August, 2026. The overall time invest depends on the learner, but will on average amount to 20 learning hours. Once both badges have been obtained, leaders will gain access to the full coursera learning catalog and are free to take further courses of their own choice.
Plus: We are giving out 10 wildcards for successful participants to take part in an exclusive 2-day Onsite Lab giving them the extra opportunity to exchange with peers from across the Group and deepen their practical AI Leadership skills in Berlin in September 2026.
Downloads
Further details
How to apply?
Please fill in our application form by November 30 to self-nominate for participation in this program.
