New Degree Prepares Future Leaders to Drive AI Innovation
The new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business prepares Cox students to leverage AI for innovation and application across industries.
Dallas, TX (SMU) Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025—The growth of Artificial Intelligence as a work tool brings challenges and opportunities. To enable aspiring business leaders to conquer challenges and prepare for current and future AI opportunities, the ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox School of Business is launching a new graduate degree program with career-focused outcomes. The ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence for Business (MSAIB) is a STEM-designated, in-person graduate program designed to launch high-impact business careers through rigorous, hands-on training, with access to the thriving business and tech ecosystem.
During the 9-month full-time (or 21-month part-time) degree program, ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox MSAIB students are immersed in 32 credit hours of predictive and generative AI, AI ethics and business implementation. Using industry-standard tools, they gain understanding and expertise in analytics, programming, and business applications.
“In this degree program, students learn about innovations and possibilities that will be applicable across many different industries,” says Amit Basu, the Cox School’s Carr P. Collins Chair in Management Information Sciences. “And because these innovations are portable in many cases across industries, this will also give our students significant mobility over the course of their careers.”
The predicts that over the next 10 years, AI will ultimately lead to job growth—especially jobs related to the development and application of AI technologies, such as AI strategy consultants, AI project managers and AI analytics specialists. “Those are all jobs that didn’t exist just a few years ago,” says the Cox School’s Senior Assistant Dean of Graduate Admissions and Career Management Shelly Heinrich.
According to Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released in Spring 2024, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has emerged as an AI nerve center of sorts, with 15.3 new AI jobs per 100,000 residents, as compared to the national average of 11.7 new AI jobs. Located in the heart of Dallas, and with deep connections to the area’s business community, ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox offers MSAIB students strong networking opportunities with major employers and alumni, and a high potential for beneficial internships and job placement.
With a curriculum that focuses on Predictive & Generative AI, Machine Learning, AI Ethics, Business Analytics, and AI Implementation & Strategy, the ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox MSAIB degree program prepares students for high-growth roles in analytics, consulting, and data-driven business leadership in Dallas and beyond.
“Because students will gain significant exposure to cutting edge AI skill development and business cases,” says ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox Senior Associate Dean Bill Dillon, “when they enter the work force, they’ll do so as experts in AI, prepared to drive AI innovation across industries—a bit different than the way we typically think of an entry position.”
The MSAIB degree program is intended for career professionals interested in pursuing an AI career or enhancing their understanding of how to integrate AI into the strategic plan of an organization. The ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox MSAIB, one of the Cox School’s 4+1 degree options, is also available for undergraduates seeking accelerated entry into AI careers. MSAIB classes will begin at ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox in Fall 2026. Applications are currently being accepted at /cox/business-degrees/masters-programs/ms-ai-business. This program has been approved by the ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăEducational Programs Committee, contingent upon approval by the ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăBoard of Trustees.
About ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox
In 2020, the Cox School of Business celebrated 100 years of business education at SMU. The Cox School is committed to influencing the way the world conducts business via prolific research that provokes innovation, change and global thought leadership. ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox offers a full range of business education programs including B.B.A., Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA (part-time), Executive MBA, MBA Direct (online, for early-career professionals), Online MBA, Master of Science degree programs, graduate certificate programs, and Executive Education. Consistently ranked among the world’s leading business schools, ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox maintains an active alumni network globally. ÍćĹĽ˝ă˝ăCox is accredited by AACSB.
.png?h=1080&iar=0&w=1920&hash=7651A9C6E406C43EE86CBFA8E28ED03D)
