From asking a chatbot to summarize a report to selecting an auto-generated reply to an email, rising professionals are already entering the workforce knowing how to navigate some AI tools. However, they are not always familiar with how to apply those skills to improving their organization’s productivity and efficiency.
Business AI is the use of AI technologies, such as machine learning and natural language processing, to improve decision-making, automate tasks and create value across an organization. Whether students are coming with technical expertise or not, the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence program from the University of Southern Indiana (USI) is designed to prepare graduates to apply generative AI models to ambitious projects and translate their findings to a wide array of people, from clients and peers to the highest levels of company leadership.
What Is Artificial Intelligence in Business?
Artificial intelligence refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI can help teams process large amounts of data, automate repetitive work and uncover insights more quickly, according to McKinsey & Company.
Machine learning can be thought of as a system that learns from experience. Just as a person might learn to recognize spam emails over time, a machine learning model analyzes data and improves its accuracy. Natural language processing is the ability of computers to understand and respond to human language, which powers tools like chatbots and virtual assistants.
Boston Consulting Group found that most effective AI leaders understand that these tools do not replace humans in the workforce. The companies discovering the most value in AI focused their efforts on educating staff on how to optimize their daily workflows and core business functions, freeing employees to focus on more strategic, creative work.
How Businesses Use AI Across Industries
AI is already embedded across industries in practical and often invisible ways. Retail companies use AI to analyze customer behavior and deliver personalized product recommendations that align with individual preferences, according to Oracle. AI plays a key role in fraud detection in the financial sector by scanning transactions in real time and identifying unusual patterns that may signal suspicious activity.
Predictive maintenance systems rely on AI to anticipate failures in manufacturing equipment before they occur. Across these industries, many businesses rely on chatbots to handle routine customer inquiries at any time of day, improving response times and freeing human employees to focus on more complex issues, according to Infobip.
What Are the Benefits and Challenges of AI in Business?
Businesses that embrace AI can make faster, more informed decisions by analyzing large volumes of data in real time. AI also helps reduce operational costs by automating repetitive tasks and minimizing human error. Organizations can also deliver more personalized and responsive customer experiences, driving up loyalty and growth.
Despite these benefits, AI adoption is not without its challenges. Implementing AI systems can require significant upfront investment. The impact on staffing is another common concern. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicates that AI frequently augments human roles rather than replaces them and can even increase demand for new positions, particularly in areas like data analysis, strategy and technology management.
Many of the biggest barriers to AI success are not technical. A Boston Consulting Group survey showed that a significant majority of companies reported struggles with generating meaningful value from their AI initiatives. These challenges are often tied to a lack of training, unclear goals or difficulty adapting workflows, rather than the technology itself.
How Do You Get Started With Artificial Intelligence in Business?
For those new to AI, the most effective approach is to begin with focused, practical steps. Organizations should start by identifying high-impact use cases, particularly tasks that are repetitive or heavily data-driven, where AI can deliver immediate value, including areas such as customer service, marketing analysis or operational forecasting.
It is also helpful to experiment with widely available AI tools designed for ease of use. Equally important is building AI literacy. Through hands-on experience with tools such as TensorFlow, Power BI and Tableau, students in USI’s online MBA Artificial Intelligence program gain practical knowledge that can be applied directly in the workplace. Coursework explores real-world applications of AI across business functions while also addressing ethical and regulatory considerations.
Gain Practical AI Skills With USI’s Online MBA in AI
Organizations increasingly need leaders who can connect technological innovations to business strategy. Developing a strong foundation in business AI through USI’s online MBA in Artificial Intelligence degree positions professionals for AI strategist and business intelligence manager roles, as well as jobs that haven’t even been imagined yet.
As AI continues to reshape industries at an unprecedented pace, professionals who can bridge the gap between technical tools and business strategy will be among the most sought-after in the workforce. The online artificial intelligence MBA equips graduates with that foundation, blending hands-on experience with real-world applications to help them lead with confidence in an AI-driven economy.
Learn more about USI’s online MBA with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence.
