How Thunderbird is keeping learners up to date in the age of AI

08/13/25

Artificial intelligence is transforming the business world at breakneck speed, and global leaders must keep pace. At Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, AI isn’t treated as a buzzword or a tech trend. It’s a core part of how the school prepares leaders to thrive in a digitally connected, rapidly changing world.

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“We don’t see AI as a standalone topic,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, Thunderbird’s director general, dean, and professor of global digital transformation. “It’s an essential thread woven throughout our global management curriculum.”

Integrating AI across the curriculum

Thunderbird embeds AI across its degree and executive education programs, preparing learners to lead with confidence and clarity, Griffy-Brown said. From the AI for Global Leaders certificate to classes on the future of work and digital transformation, the school provides a foundation in AI literacy alongside strategic insights on how technology can fuel innovation and inclusive growth in diverse global markets.

Beginning in fall 2025, even Thunderbird’s undergraduate programs will incorporate AI fluency, focusing on how to use generative and predictive tools effectively rather than simply replicate content, she said. Students are encouraged to pursue industry-recognized certifications to strengthen their digital skillset before graduation.

A joint degree program with ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business further expands the opportunity to blend business insight with technological expertise. “We’re preparing students to lead AI-driven transformation in any sector, anywhere in the world,” Griffy-Brown said.

Thunderbird faculty are also active researchers advancing global thinking around AI. Eight faculty members are involved in grant-funded projects under the umbrella of Principled Innovation and Global Artificial Intelligence. Their insights are translated into curriculum and global case studies, providing students with cutting-edge, real-world material.

Hands-on experience with emerging tools

Theory is only part of the equation. Thunderbird ensures students gain hands-on experience with real-world AI tools and platforms. Through simulations, labs, and live industry projects, students work directly with technologies such as AI-driven decision-making platforms, digital twins, and generative AI systems.

Projects challenge learners to solve problems using AI in complex, multicultural settings, from streamlining supply chains with predictive analytics to building more inclusive marketing strategies and ESG reports.

“We don’t just teach tools,” Griffy-Brown explained. “We teach how to apply them with a strong ethical compass in global contexts.”

Leading AI implementation responsibly

Thunderbird is equally focused on the ethical dimension of AI. Responsible innovation is baked into the curriculum, with case studies and frameworks that prompt students to consider the broader implications of deploying AI in global business.

Leaders are taught to interrogate AI’s impact: Who benefits from a system? Who is left behind? How can AI strategies support long-term prosperity and equity?

“The future of leadership is about asking the right questions,” Griffy-Brown said. “Our goal is to equip learners not only to understand AI, but to implement it in ways that are responsible, strategic, and globally conscious.”

Industry partnerships keep Thunderbird on the cutting edge

Partnerships with global tech firms, startups, and industry leaders help keep Thunderbird’s programs closely aligned with fast-moving trends. These partnerships provide access to advanced tools, guest instruction, and real-world projects that bridge the gap between classroom theory and industry practice.

“We’re deeply engaged with companies that are shaping the future of AI,” Griffy-Brown said. “That collaboration is essential to delivering an education that is both relevant and forward-looking.”

AI education for professionals and executives

Thunderbird’s Executive Education programs offer mid-career professionals an accelerated way to become AI-ready. These short, focused programs, such as the AI for Global Leaders certificate and custom-designed offerings like the AI Champions Program for Bank AlJazira, are built for immediate application.

“These programs meet professionals where they are,” Griffy-Brown said. “Even if someone doesn’t have a technical background, we help them develop the mindset and tools to lead AI integration in their organizations.”

Lifelong learning in an age of constant change

For students and professionals alike, the rapid pace of AI advancement can feel overwhelming. Griffy-Brown’s advice: You don’t need to know everything. You need to stay curious.

“AI leadership isn’t about mastering a single tool,” she said. “It’s about cultivating adaptability, strategic thinking, and ethical awareness. Thunderbird is your lifelong learning partner in this new era.”

Shaping a future where AI serves humanity

While many institutions are focused on training users of AI, Thunderbird has a broader vision: cultivating leaders who shape the future of AI itself.

“AI should be in service of humanity,” Griffy-Brown said. “It must unite us, not divide us.”

Thunderbird’s approach goes beyond AI to embrace the convergence of technologies shaping tomorrow, such as data infrastructure, quantum computing, bioeconomy systems, global trade, and energy. The school’s research and curriculum explore how these technologies intersect to influence diplomacy, space leadership, sustainability, and inclusive economic development.

“It’s not just about what’s next,” Griffy-Brown added. “It’s about co-creating a future across borders and cultures that is innovative, compassionate, and equitable. That’s what sets Thunderbird apart, and it’s what the world needs most right now.”