Leading Enterprise Agentic AI Development (LEAAID) Certificate Program

The shift to agentic AI is fundamentally changing how enterprises operate. Governing and scaling these systems so they can be trusted, controlled, and aligned with organizational objectives is where the real leadership work begins. Anand Rao | Distinguished Service Professor of Applied Data Science and AI, CMU's Heinz College

• Cohort 1 (Fall 2026) Program Dates & Schedule

  Virtual Modules: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. EDT

  • September 22, 24 (2026)
  • October 6, 8 (2026)
  • October 20 (2026)
    
    

  Please note that we use Zoom for all program deliveries.
• The Executive Advantage Program

  Earning your executive education certificate is just the beginning of a lifelong relationship with CMU; we're here to help you advance your career throughout your professional life. The Heinz College Executive Advantage program is meant for people who always want to be ahead of the curve—those who want to lead the conversation, not just be a part of it. 

  Executive Advantage was designed with you, C-suite executives and lifelong learners, in mind. In addition to the valuable skills you gain through our executive certificate programs, you now have access to workshops, leadership summits, and conferences. 

  Learn more

• Agentic AI Foundations and Enterprise Use Cases

  This module establishes a clear understanding of agentic AI and its role in the next generation of enterprise transformation. Participants explore how AI systems are evolving from passive models into autonomous agents capable of reasoning, decision-making, and coordinated action across workflows. The session introduces foundational concepts including agent architectures, multi-agent systems, planning and orchestration, tool use, and human-in-the-loop interaction models.
  
  Leaders will examine high-impact enterprise use cases across functions such as operations, customer engagement, finance, and knowledge work, with a focus on where agent-based approaches create differentiated value relative to traditional automation. The module emphasizes how to identify, frame, and prioritize opportunities where agentic AI can deliver measurable outcomes.
  
  Participants leave with a strong conceptual foundation and a practical lens for recognizing where and how agentic AI can be applied within their organization.

• Data Foundations and Architecture for Agentic AI
  Agentic AI systems are only as effective as the data and architecture that support them. This module focuses on the critical data ecosystems and technical foundations required to enable intelligent agents at scale. Participants explore modern data architectures, including data platforms, knowledge layers, vector databases, APIs, and real-time data pipelines that power agent reasoning and action.
  
  The session also addresses governance considerations such as data quality, lineage, access control, and interoperability across enterprise systems. Emphasis is placed on designing architectures that support dynamic agent behavior, contextual awareness, and seamless integration into existing workflows and applications.
  
  Participants will gain a clear understanding of the infrastructure and data management strategies required to operationalize Agentic AI reliably and at scale.
• Agentic AI Assurance (Risk, Security, and Trust)
  As Agentic AI systems take on more autonomous decision-making responsibilities, ensuring their reliability, security, and trustworthiness becomes a critical leadership priority. This module introduces a comprehensive assurance framework covering model validation, system testing, red teaming, continuous monitoring, and secure deployment practices.
  
  Participants will examine key risk domains including model drift, hallucinations, adversarial threats, data leakage, bias, and unintended agent behaviors in multi-agent environments. The session also explores emerging regulatory expectations and the role of explainability, auditability, and human oversight in building trustworthy systems.
  
  Leaders will learn how to implement practical controls and governance mechanisms that enable innovation while maintaining enterprise-grade risk management and compliance.
• Agentic AI Strategy, Design, and Governance

  This module focuses on how organizations translate agentic AI capabilities into sustained business value through effective strategy, design, and governance. Participants explore frameworks for aligning AI initiatives with enterprise priorities, defining operating models, and establishing clear accountability across business and technology functions.

  The session covers how to prioritize and sequence use cases, design agent-enabled workflows, and build cross-functional teams capable of delivering and scaling solutions. Governance topics include decision rights, oversight structures, performance management, and mechanisms for balancing innovation with risk.

  Participants will develop a structured approach to leading agentic AI initiatives, from opportunity identification through execution and value realization, while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and constraints.

  
  

• Agentic AI Lab (Applied Build Experience)

  The Agentic AI Lab provides a hands-on, guided environment where participants translate concepts into practice. Working through a structured build process, participants design and prototype an agent-based solution aligned to a real or representative enterprise use case.
  
  The lab walks through key steps including problem framing, agent design, tool and data integration, workflow orchestration, and evaluation of outputs. Participants are introduced to practical development patterns and lightweight frameworks that enable rapid prototyping of agent-based systems.
  
  This applied experience reinforces learning across all modules, bridging the gap between strategy and execution. Participants leave with a tangible understanding of how agentic AI systems are built, deployed, and iterated, equipping them to more effectively lead and oversee implementation efforts within their organization.

  Please note that technical specifications for this module will be provided one month prior to module delivery.