IMD Business School

Innovate with AI and Tech

IMD Business School

Digital Transformation & AI

About Programme

Emerging technologies can dramatically accelerate business value, enabling new products, smarter operations, and untapped sources of growth. But in a field evolving this fast, the real challenge is no longer simple awareness It’s knowing which opportunities are worth pursuing in your context and having the capability to act on them.

Partnering with world-leading tech institute EPFL, Innovate with AI and Tech brings together business and technology experts to help you identify your most promising strategic opportunities including AI, IoT, blockchain, and robotics. A pre-work exercise guides you in identifying a concrete business problem you want to solve with AI and tech, which becomes a value-creation project and red thread running throughout the week.

This isn’t just theory. You’ll benefit from hands-on lab visits and an AI Clinic where you use cutting-edge tools to prototype real solutions to your challenge. You’ll explore advanced AI capabilities, from synthetic personas and agentic AI to AI-enhanced product design, building the strategic confidence to make impactful technology decisions.

This program is a must for leaders ready to move from AI curiosity to concrete business impact.

Immerse yourself in tech

Immerse yourself in EPFL tech labs where pioneering solutions are being invented, prototyped and launched for global companies.

Turn real problems into real solutions

Work with business and technology experts to prototype AI-powered solutions to challenges you’ve identified in your own company.

Know the pros and cons

Understand the benefits and limits of different technologies: from generative and agentic AI to robotics, connected systems, and beyond.

Think like an innovator

Develop an innovator’s mindset: the confidence to experiment, iterate, and lead impactful technology decisions with clarity.

Conquer challenges as a team

Join with colleagues and teams to prototype solutions together, building the momentum for organization-wide transformation.. Learn more.

This program is part of our broader portfolio of AI & digital programs for executives , designed to equip leaders with the capabilities and confidence to turn AI and digital innovation into business impact. You can also explore our innovation programs here .

Programme Content

5-day learning journey Day 1
Getting started
Ai beyond the hype
AI-driven innovation
Day 2
Welcome to EPFL and lab visits
AI for health
AI product management
From language models to AI scientists
Day 3
Where to play in your companies (theory)
Internet of Things
Robotics and AI
Where to play in your companies (workshop)
Day 4
The dark side of AI
Tech and sustainability
Working with AI tools. What could be? What should be?
Day 5
Cryptocurrencies and blockchain
Five questions you need to ask about AI
Taking stock: learnings and commitments

Testimonials

"Cutting-edge research meets real-world business strategy. We went deep on topics I rarely get to explore together. The biggest shift for me? Realizing that AI strategy isn’t one discipline — it’s a lens you apply across everything: product, sustainability, science, governance, and people. The lab visits brought the theory to life in ways a classroom never could. And as always, the cohort – the richest insights came from the collision of those perspectives"

Chandrashekhar Chaudhari

Senior Technology Architect, Cognizant, Switzerland

"Highly rewarding and intense week with leading experts in technology and business on the latest developments in AI and their practical applications for organizations. Topics ranged from generative AI, robotics, and sensors to innovation business models, as well as the leadership and risk management required to apply these technologies effectively. Visits to EPFL’s laboratories brought these concepts to life and offered a unique view into how these technologies are being developed and applied in the real world."

Karole Verlage Frei

Head of Communications & Brand, TX Group, Switzerland

"Packed with insights into how cutting-edge technologies like AI, robotics, IoT, and quantum computing can drive business transformation. Some standout moments: → Visiting EPFL’s state-of-the-art labs, with a firsthand look at innovations in AI, IoT, and robotics. Seeing them in action was inspiring. → Exploring the startup ecosystem which fosters collaboration between academia, startups, and established businesses. → Hands-on prototyping sessions that turned concepts into tangible business opportunities – these sessions made the tech feel applicable and actionable for real-world challenges. A huge thank you."

Timo Gunia

Founder, Gunia Consulting, Switzerland

"Working in an IoT company that makes innovation a top priority, I found that the lab and tech sessions provided me with new ideas on how to combine IoT and AI. The teachers made the most complex concepts easy to understand with clarity and passion. Top program!"

Chiara Melis

IoT Sales Manager, Tele2, Switzerland

"Innovate with AI and Tech is like going into a huge library, finding solutions to things you didn’t even know existed. That for me is fantastic."

Paul Campbell

Director, Osmotics Consulting, UK

"I am seeing the first results of the enriching experience I had at IMD’s Innovate with AI and Tech, after returning to daily business. It was an intense and inspiring week filled with cutting-edge insights, challenging discussions, and fresh perspectives, all made possible by outstanding faculty and an amazing group of peers. Sharing ideas, receiving feedback, and gaining encouragement on ongoing projects made a real difference. Weeks later, it’s clear to me how perspectives, comments, and shared experiences of some of you have made a lasting impression and are helping shape a different approach to everyday challenges. Looking forward to what’s next!"

Federico Centonze

General Counsel, Hupac Group, Switzerland

"This program demystifies – not just AI but also quantum computing, IoT, and robotics. I really enjoyed the chance to visit the tech labs at EPFL which can be valuable later on to provide support with prototyping."

Lars Heischkamp

Senior Manager Group Strategy, Bauer Media Group, Germany

"This program is eye-opening, inspiring, and outstanding. You have the opportunity to develop and prototype your ideas. You also get really constructive insights discussing with participants from different industries."

Valeria Pelosini

Head of IT Products Marketing & Sales, Bobst, Switzerland

"It’s a phenomenal week. I gained a comprehensive overview of emerging disruptive technologies (AI, metaverse, IoT, robotics, bitcoin, quantum computing) and their current evolutionary stages. The insights provided have been instrumental in refining our company’s innovation processes. Immersed in transformational trends, I now feel better equipped to systematically tackle these advancements. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to stay ahead in this dynamic landscape and navigating digital transformation."

Teresa Martinez

RVP, Success Management, Portfolio Lead Switzerland, Customer Success Group, Salesforce Switzerland

"In one week, this program takes you from a conceptual idea to a full laid out project ready to implement. That’s very high value."

Barbara Scheel Agersnap

CEO, Copenhagen MaImö Port, Denmark

"Understanding the main goals of these technologies that we covered in the training program, helps me to employ them in the right way to bring real value to the organization."

Tariq Al-Issa

Chief Information Officer, Enjaz Payment Services, Saudi Arabia

"This is the best learning experience ever, focusing on emerging technologies and their influence and impact on business. The curriculum was designed in a way that allowed us to apply what we learned into real-world scenarios. I am excited to carry these learnings forward to apply to future projects! This program has also connected me with a dynamic group of amazing professionals from diverse backgrounds, industries and countries."

Laura Gil Garcia

Data Strategy & Business Transformation Leader, Switzerland

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Prashansa Uttam

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+91 9403890085[email protected]Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm IST

IMD Business School

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https://www.imd.org
Lausanne, Switzerland

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Innovate with AI and Tech | IMD Business School