Three AI courses to advance your career in 2026

Professionals aiming for senior leadership roles are increasingly expected to have a strong grasp of artificial intelligence. Executives in marketing, product management, operations, and program leadership must understand how AI drives strategy, growth, and measurable outcomes, experts say.

Workforce reports indicate that applied AI skills can significantly enhance career opportunities across industries including HR, sales, and operations, not just technology.

Industry observers note that candidates do not need computer science degrees or expensive training to demonstrate AI fluency. Strategic, recognized AI certifications can strengthen resumes and improve chances of securing top-level executive positions.

The first course is PSM AI Essentials, a certification from Scrum.org that focuses on how artificial intelligence can support agile teams and improve the way Scrum professionals manage projects, with PSM AI standing for “Professional Scrum Master AI Essentials training”; it is designed for people who already work as scrum masters, agile coaches, or agile team leaders, while professionals new to agile project management are advised to start with entry-level certifications such as Professional Scrum Master I. The programme teaches participants how to apply generative AI tools within Scrum environments, with learning outcomes that include demonstrating practical uses of AI tools during Scrum events, using prompt engineering to obtain useful results from AI systems, integrating AI tools into daily workflows, and applying ethical and responsible practices when working with AI. Alternative options include the “AI for Scrum Masters” course offered by Scrum Alliance, and professionals with this training can move into roles such as senior agile coach or chief scrum master.

Marketing is another field where AI skills are increasingly required, and the AI for Marketing certification from HubSpot focuses on applying AI tools to improve campaign performance and customer engagement; the course is free and takes approximately three hours to complete, targeting marketers, growth specialists, and campaign managers who want to incorporate AI into campaign planning and performance tracking. HubSpot states that participants will learn how to analyse and craft prompts for AI tools, evaluate outputs generated by AI, use AI to personalise customer experiences, and apply AI-powered tools in reporting and analytics. With relevant experience, learners may progress to positions such as senior digital marketing manager, head of performance marketing, or chief marketing officer.

Another option is offered by MIT Sloan School of Management through its executive education programme, AI Adoption: Driving Business Value and Impact, which focuses on the strategic application of AI and runs for six weeks, requiring five to eight hours of study per week; it is designed for mid-level managers seeking to lead AI adoption within their organisations. The course covers topics such as measuring return on investment from AI projects, preparing workforces for AI adoption, and building organisation-wide AI strategies, enabling participants to move into leadership roles such as director of digital transformation, vice president of operations, or chief AI officer.

Chisom Michael

Chisom Michael is a data analyst (audience engagement) and writer at BusinessDay, with diverse experience in the media industry. He holds a BSc in Industrial Physics from Imo State University and an MEng in Computer Science and Technology from Liaoning Univerisity of Technology China. He specialises in listicle writing, profiles and leveraging his skills in audience engagement analysis and data-driven insights to create compelling content that resonates with readers.