How Thunderbird is preparing learners to lead in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence is no longer an abstract future. It’s here, expanding its reach across every industry and reshaping the way businesses, governments, and communities operate. But as AI becomes more powerful, tomorrow’s leaders must build more than technical skills to interact with it. They’ll need to master the human, ethical, and strategic dimensions of an AI-driven world.

Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University is at the forefront of preparing these leaders. By embedding AI skills into every level of its programs, from foundational courses to advanced executive education, Thunderbird equips its graduates with the AI skill set and global perspective they’ll need to lead responsibly and effectively.

“We’ve entered an era where the ability to deploy skillful AI is a leadership imperative,” said Euvin Naidoo, Thunderbird’s distinguished professor of practice for global accounting, Risk and Agility. Naidoo, who also serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Job Creation, has a clear view of what’s at stake. 

“AI is changing work at a systemic level,” he said. “If we don’t prepare leaders who understand both its power and its risks, we risk leaving communities, industries, and even entire regions behind.”

Building true AI fluency beyond technical know-how 

So, what does AI fluency mean at Thunderbird? For starters, it’s not just about coding or knowing how to operate the latest tools. Naidoo said students learn how to learn AI skills within a bigger context, which includes the geopolitical race for computing power, the energy footprint of large models, and the supply chains that make AI possible.

Programs like AI and the Future of Work go deep into these intersections. “Our students are trained to think in systems,” Naidoo said. “They analyze not just how AI automates tasks, but how it shifts global value chains and creates new opportunities for collaboration, or conflict.”

Thunderbird’s curriculum encourages students to stay curious, test assumptions, and keep learning long after graduation. The school’s approach to AI and leadership is rooted in the idea that today’s knowledge has a short shelf life. The leaders who thrive will be those who build agility into their personal and professional growth.

Embracing AI while managing risk 

Of course, innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Thunderbird makes sure students face the realities of AI’s risks head-on. “We study both sides of the coin, where skillful AI unlocks productivity and where it can go wrong if not governed carefully,” Naidoo explained.

Students debate high-profile missteps, like when automated systems produce biased outcomes or when chatbots provide flawed customer support. These lessons reinforce a key theme: AI and leadership development are inseparable. Every decision about AI adoption is also a decision about governance, ethics, and trust.

“AI strategy can’t just sit with the tech team,” Naidoo said. “It’s a boardroom conversation, a policy conversation, and a human conversation. Our graduates know how to navigate that.”

Where Thunderbird leaders make an impact

Thunderbird alumni take their AI skills into roles that bridge technology and humanity. They lead in industries like advanced manufacturing, financial services, global logistics, health care, and even tech policy. These are spaces where the right AI skill set can help solve pressing global challenges.

“A Thunderbird graduate might be helping a multinational bank manage risk with predictive analytics one year, then advising a government on responsible AI regulation the next,” Naidoo said. “They’re prepared to pivot because they understand that leadership and AI must evolve together.”

The missing link in AI strategy is cross-cultural intelligence

At Thunderbird, cross-cultural competence is baked into every project, team, and classroom discussion. “We believe the future of AI for managers and leaders is global,” Naidoo said. “So our students work across cultures and regulatory contexts from day one.”

For example, a team might analyze how AI-powered supply chains operate differently in Europe versus Asia, or how data privacy norms shift from one country to another. These insights help students grasp that the same AI solution won’t look the same everywhere, which is a nuance that many organizations overlook at their peril.

Staying ahead in a world that won’t stand still

Naidoo emphasized that Thunderbird’s commitment doesn’t stop at graduation. The school’s alumni network, global partnerships, and robust executive education keep leaders connected to the latest AI trends and leadership practices.

“Our message is simple: If you’re asking how to learn AI skills, know that it’s a lifelong journey,” Naidoo said. “Our graduates leave with the tools and mindset to keep learning, testing, and adapting as the technology evolves.”

Soft skills are a hard requirement in the Age of AI

Even the most advanced AI systems can’t replicate empathy, creativity, or the trust that binds people and organizations together. That’s why Thunderbird weaves soft skills into every aspect of its curriculum.

“Data alone doesn’t move hearts or change minds,” Naidoo said. “We teach our students to tell compelling stories with data, to lead diverse teams through ambiguity, and to build trust when the path forward isn’t clear.”

Students practice these skills through collaborative projects, real-world simulations, and reflective exercises. The goal is to ensure that AI and leadership aren’t competing priorities but complementary strengths.

Trust will define tomorrow’s leaders

In the end, Naidoo believes that the leaders who stand out in the AI era will be the ones who understand that trust is the real differentiator. “When used wisely, AI can strengthen relationships with employees, customers, and communities. But mishandled, it can do the opposite and erode trust overnight.”

For Thunderbird, preparing students to lead with integrity and agility is a mission. By combining AI skills with cultural intelligence, systems thinking, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning, Thunderbird graduates are ready to shape a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around. 

Thunderbird’s Executive Education programs empower professionals to shape evolving enterprise landscapes through transformative education. Find out more.