AI Strategy for Design Leaders - Course overview
This foundation course is for design leaders who need to make confident decisions about AI.
It is the right course for you, if:
- You're currently leading designers or design initiatives
- You're tired of AI hype and want honest, practical guidance
- You need frameworks to evaluate opportunities, not just tool tutorials
- You want to make smart decisions on AI without becoming an engineer
The challenge
AI is everywhere. Your team is experimenting with tools. Your executives are asking about strategy. Your competitors are making bold claims. But you're facing critical questions:
- Which AI opportunities are real vs. which are just hype?
- How do I know if my organisation is actually ready for AI?
- What will AI initiatives really cost - and what will they actually deliver?
- How do I speak credibly about AI with technical teams and executives?
- When should I say yes to AI - and when should I say no?
Most AI content is either too technical or too superficial. Nothing teaches design leaders to think critically about AI in their specific context. We’ve heard from hundreds of design leaders around the world, who are in desperate need of practical frameworks, honest assessment methods, and the confidence to make smart decisions about AI - for your team, your products, and your organisation. This course gives you exactly that.
There is no technical background required. We teach AI concepts in accessible language focused on leadership decision-making and empowering you to become smarter as the future evolves.
Join the upcoming cohort
Enroll now or receive updates on the next start dates.
Understand what AI actually is - and what it isn't
Assess your organisation's AI readiness
Speak credibly about AI capabilities
Work effectively with AI tools for your own decision-making
Distinguish genuine AI capabilities from vendor hype
Create realistic AI implementation action-plans
Navigate AI conversations with executives
Recognise early warning signs that predict AI initiative failure
Tey is a leader in AI strategy, product, and design. He was formerly a Partner at McKinsey, where he led McKinsey Design Europe and oversaw the firm’s client work in AI-driven customer experience and hyper-personalization. He brings over 20 years of professional experience — starting as a web designer, then evolving into a creative technologist and UX designer — before helping McKinsey build its digital, design, and AI capabilities and drive exponential growth for global organizations. Tey is a sought-after speaker and frequently presents at design conferences and events on the evolution of design leadership and the future of design.
Want all course information at a glance? Request the flyer now!
Live session timings
Kick-off session (45 min): Thu. 18 June
First live session (90 min): Tue. 23 June
Second live session (90 min): Thu. 25 June
All sessions take place at 6pm CET.
Kick-off session (45 min)
Meet your instructor, connect with your cohort, and get oriented for the week ahead. We'll address your burning questions, preview the key frameworks you'll master, and set you up for immediate impact. Come curious - this is where we establish the foundation for the week's learning journey.
Live session 1 / 90min. (Workshop: AI in Action)
This interactive session bridges technical understanding with strategic thinking. Learn to spot the difference between genuine innovation and sophisticated hype. We'll analyse real AI pitches together, predict which will succeed, then reveal what actually happened. A special guest expert will also join to share what separates winners from expensive failures.
Activities and exercises
Between sessions, you’ll work through videos on AI fundamentals and strategic frameworks, experiment with AI tools firsthand, and complete guided exercises. Every activity builds toward one overarching goal: for you to leave confident in making smart AI decisions.
Live session 2 / 90min. (Strategy Lab: Your AI Challenges)
Bring your real AI challenges for live coaching. Hear from leaders who've succeeded (and failed) at AI transformation. Leave with your personalised 30-day action plan.
Tools
We’ll be making use of the Google suite of AI tools (Gemini, Gems, AI Studio) and Anthropic’s Claude suite. No “pro” subscriptions required – everything we do will sit under the free tiers. If you have specific organisational restrictions around tool use, please let us know in advance.