Managing Data and AI in the Global Workplace

Course Director: Panos Constantinides

Content
Today, organizations around the world increasingly use big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to address complex problems and create new products and services. Consider how your digital footprint is used to inform creditworthiness, deep learning systems identify where tumors reside, and generative AI tools help to create marketing campaigns. Managers are eager to explore how these technologies can improve work, yet they also face serious challenges in effectively and responsibly integrating them into the global workplace.

This course examines how organizations develop, implement, and use AI systems, and how they manage the critical issues arising along the way. Rather than approaching AI as a technical task, the course focuses on its organizational implications. We explore how AI reshapes work, decision-making, expertise, and ethical responsibilities inside organizations. Drawing on literature at the intersection of technology and work, we build a strong foundation for analyzing the key obstacles and pathways for effectively and responsibly managing AI.

While helpful, no prior knowledge of data science or AI is necessary. Practical exercises, guest lectures, and a timely live project on large language models will help you better understand the implications of AI for the global workplace.

Format and structure
The course consists of seminar-style lectures and exercises, as well as a live consultancy project that runs throughout the course alongside the sessions. The course will draw on the “flipped classroom” model, where individual preparations and readings take place outside of scheduled course sessions. In-class sessions are dedicated to interactive learning and group work, using illustrative cases and team exercises. For this reason, active participation is strongly encouraged. Further, attendance at sessions is important to develop an understanding of the course content and accomplish the intended learning outcomes.

The course is divided into modules that follow the AI lifecycle within organizations. The initial modules focus on organizational aspects of AI development, while later modules focus on AI implementation and use in the workplace. Each module combines theoretical literature with timely examples and exercises, as well as a live consultancy project. Regular group work and team consultations will take place throughout the course to support student groups in their work with the consultancy project.

Course Administrator: Titus.Mathew@hhs.se

After successfully completing the course, you should be able to:

1. Define and articulate the key concepts, principles, and theories relevant to managing data and AI in organizational settings.
2. Critically assess AI’s opportunities, challenges, and impact on work and organizing.
3. Apply relevant concepts, principles, and theories to address complex problems and create innovative solutions with AI for organizations.
4. Develop concrete recommendations to guide the effective and responsible implementation of AI.

General entry requirements

Each module consists of around 4 mandatory articles and supplementary materials that will be published on Canvas. All materials will be made available on Canvas.

Group project (40%) - You will conduct a live consultancy project in groups of 4–5 students, focusing on a timely case related to large language models (LLMs). Working with partners from sectors such as the Swedish media and telecom industry, you will apply theoretical concepts to explore how LLMs can be integrated into organizations. In the form of a report, you will explain how LLMs can be effectively and responsibly developed and used; what the impact will be on work, roles, and expertise, and how organizations can manage expected challenges.

Group presentation (10%) - You will pitch your proposed solution and key recommendations to the company during a short, in-person presentation.

Individual exam (50%) - You will have an individual, closed-book exam that covers the mandatory course literature of all weeks. You will be asked to answer short, essay-style questions that evaluate your ability to apply the course materials in a more open format. The exam will be centrally administered and will last three hours. The exam will take place during the corresponding examination period.

Find the course schedule in TimeEdit

Have you been granted educational support because of a documented disability? If so, please contact the course director as soon as possible so that adequate accommodations can be made.

Contact specialneeds@hhs.se if you have questions about being granted educational support or need a copy of your educational support certificate.

For more information, visit the Specific Educational Needs page on the Student Hub (login required).