ASU launches AI career upskilling portfolio for the future of work

Across history, groundbreaking technologies like electricity took 50 years to become widely adopted and pervade daily life. Today, artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules, with innovations like ChatGPT reaching 100 million users in just five months. This unprecedented speed signals a transformative moment for humanity, where the impact of new technologies is felt almost instantly, reshaping industries and society in real time.

Now, nearly every role across every field is facing an uncertain future of work. Artificial intelligence and automation are poised to create 97 million new jobs while displacing 85 million over the next few years. 

As the landscape shifts underneath them, employers are scrambling to find AI-skilled workers. This demand has outpaced the current availability of practical, real-world training. ASU is well positioned to lead this charge. Ranked #1 in innovation for nine consecutive years, Arizona State University is at the forefront of AI research and advancements, and uniquely positioned to meet this challenge head-on.

ASU’s AI upskilling portfolio is specifically designed to address the critical skills gaps in industries and specialized fields poised for rapid transformation. A unique combination of cutting-edge knowledge and practical application ensures that learners are not only prepared for the future but are equipped to lead their industries, enabled by AI. Course series include AI in Business and Leadership, AI in Finance, AI in Healthcare, AI in Sustainability, AI in Education and the Public Sector and AI Foundations.

This commitment to advancing AI education is backed by ASU’s extensive research capabilities and strategic collaborations. Through a billion dollar research enterprise, faculty across ASU use our state-of-the-art facilities and resources for AI research, including high-performance computing infrastructure and access to large datasets. ASU also recently formed a strategic partnership with OpenAI, making us the first university to integrate it deeply into daily operations, research and curriculum development.

The urgency of this comprehensive approach is underscored by LinkedIn, which reports a significant shortage of training, with demand for AI-related skills increasing by 190% globally. ASU’s AI programs are designed to fill this gap, preparing learners to not only adapt to the future but to actively define it.

Defining the future of work through applied AI and real-world impact

As ASU welcomes a record-breaking 41,000 new students this fall to our population of 181,000 students, all of them can choose from an expanding portfolio of highly AI-related courses, majors and degrees with access to the ASU OpenAI workspace. This allows us to continuously innovate and adapt our offerings to meet the evolving needs of the workforce.

Sustainability, for example, has become a key focus in nearly every field, and ASU’s AI in Sustainability course reflects commitment to a healthier planet, with billions invested in innovative sustainability research and applications. In this course, learners explore how AI can optimize resource use, reduce waste, and enhance environmental management—areas where AI is becoming indispensable for sustainable development. 

In healthcare, the AI in Health course informs professionals on approaches for integrating AI into patient care, from diagnostics to treatment planning. As AI’s role in healthcare expands, studies show that it can improve patient outcomes by up to 30%, making this course essential for those aiming to lead in a rapidly evolving medical landscape. ASU is currently launching a health observatory, among other targeted initiatives to address Arizona’s most urgent health care needs. The AI in Health course leverages the university’s expertise blending engineering, technology and medicine.

“AI is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, and the stakes have never been higher,” shares Stuart Rice, senior director of learning design at ASU’s Learning Enterprise. “Part of our mission at ASU is to bridge the gap between emerging technology and the real-world needs of professionals across all sectors. By offering courses that blend innovation with practical application, we aim to empower learners to not only understand AI but to leverage it in ways that drive meaningful progress in their careers and communities.”

For business, ASU offers a comprehensive suite of AI courses designed to upskill for various roles:

• AI for Marketing Professionals: Enables marketers to harness AI for improved campaign effectiveness and customer engagement
• AI for Business Analytics Professionals: Helps analysts integrate AI into their workflows, enabling more accurate insights and strategic decision-making
• AI for Leaders in Business: Tailored for executives, this course provides the strategic understanding needed to lead AI initiatives. 
• AI Fundamentals: For those new to AI, this course offers a solid foundation in AI principles and applications across various industries.

“Our approach to teaching AI at ASU considers not only the technical skills but also business skills and mindful principles, which emphasize ethics, responsibility and trustworthiness,” says Dr. Pei-yu Chen, Red Avenue Foundation Professor and Chair of the Department of Information Systems, and founding director of the Center for AI and Data Analytics at the W. P. Carey School of Business. “By integrating these elements, we ensure that our learners are prepared to practice principled innovation and lead with integrity in the AI-driven future.”

Why ASU’s approach matters

As more institutions develop AI programs, what differentiates ASU is our combined focus on harnessing our interdisciplinary knowledge and research innovation to solve the most daunting challenges of our time, while understanding tomorrow’s key opportunities.

“These programs go beyond just teaching AI—they empower professionals to tackle real-world challenges head-on,” says Maria Anguiano, executive vice president of ASU’s Learning Enterprise. 

“By equipping learners with practical AI skills, we’re helping them become the innovators who will drive meaningful change in their industries and communities – not just keep pace with the future, but actively redefine it.”

As higher education actively plays a role in combating issues including climate change, universities and colleges can intentionally build in highly specialized upskilling opportunities every step of the way. However, to make a scalable impact, those experiences must be widely accessible. While AI is sure to transform more industries and roles, ASU will continually diversify our offerings to meet the emerging needs of individuals advancing their careers and businesses upskilling their talent.

The future of work may be uncertain, but gaining new AI skills and knowledge is a first step toward shaping it.

Courses start at $49. View ASU’s AI courses here.

For more information or to schedule an interview with an ASU spokesperson, please contact:

Samantha Becker
Strategic Communications Advisor to the EVP
ASU’s Learning Enterprise
sam.becker@asu.edu