“Disruptive” is probably the business buzzword of the decade. It’s applied to businesses, products, technologies, and even business professionals themselves. But this arguably overused adjective is applied to one thing more than anything else: artificial intelligence.
When it comes to AI, disruptive is more than just jargon. It’s an accurate description.
That’s because AI can be used for just about anything — running chatbots, making projections, delivering streaming suggestions, screening diseases, and (controversially) generating artwork. According to consulting firm McKinsey & Company, 72% of companies have adopted AI in one or more areas of operations, a 22% increase from 2020. 50% use it in two or more areas.
Artificial intelligence has come a long way in terms of impact and sophistication, but the industry still has a long way to go.
In a survey conducted by Salesforce in 2024, the majority of c-suite execs say AI drives revenue, competitiveness, and customer satisfaction. Despite these advantages, though, 56% of workers who use AI say they struggle to get what they want out of it.
On top of that, there’s a constant ballet of legal battles and corporate maneuvering playing out between AI companies, government regulators, and AI skeptics. In 2024, California passed 18 AI-related laws covering everything from data transparency to deepfakes. It’s safe to say that AI is here to stay, but it’s difficult to say what the industry will look like when the dust settles.
However, these hurdles aren’t the signs of a sector in peril. They’re the growing pains of a thriving industry with unprecedented potential. And with an MBA in Artificial Intelligence from one of California’s top business schools, you can help decide what that potential turns into.
Career Opportunities: A Snapshot of California’s AI Industry
In most places, the artificial intelligence sector is relatively small and niche. In California, though, it’s anything but. Because it’s such a far-reaching industry, exact figures are hard to pin down, but the California Chamber of Commerce estimates that AI-related ventures brought in almost $2 billion in income taxes in 2023.
Economically, earning an MBA in AI definitely seems like a good investment, but what can you actually do with your degree? Your options will expand along with the AI industry itself, but right now in California, you have some unique opportunities with some of the biggest players in the AI sector and up-and-coming startups.
The Key Players
Your first option is to scout out some of the big players in the AI sector. In California, you’re pretty much surrounded by them. Of course, Silicon Valley is home to Salesforce, Google, and OpenAI, but there are a lot more specialty (and just as lucrative) AI firms around the state, as well. In fact, 32 out of 50 entries on Forbes’ list of the top AI companies in the world in 2024 are located in the Golden State.
Around San Francisco, you’ll find Insitro, a drug development company known for its revolutionary application of machine learning to genetics. In Santa Clara County, there’s AI-driven defense intelligence firm Vannevar Labs. Then there’s Character.AI (humanlike chatbots), AssemblyAI (speech transcription), Figure AI (robots), and many, many more.
Basically, whatever AI-influenced industry you want to get into, there’s a good chance they’re represented in the California economy.
With an MBA in AI, you’re well-prepared for administrative and management positions at any of these firms. You might be a project manager, marketing specialist, client relations specialist, departmental manager, or even an operations director. From there, an MBA can take you to some pretty high places on the corporate ladder.
Startups and Venture Capital
With the AI industry just now hitting its stride, the market is rife with startups. In 2023, AI startups in the Bay Area alone garnered over $27 billion in investments. That’s over 50% of all AI investments in the entire world.
At these, your potential job titles with an MBA are about the same as they would be at a bigger firm, but you stand to have a bigger internal impact and move up a little quicker if things go well. Plus, if you’re on the ground level of a startup, you’re likely to get some equity with a shot at financial independence further down the line.
If you have an entrepreneurial drive, there are more opportunities in California’s lively startup ecosystem. With a good balance of administrative and technical knowledge, you’d make a natural leader at a startup of your own.
Or if you want to be on the other side of the equation, many of California’s numerous venture capital firms need analysts, associates, and partners with nuanced insights into the AI world. Once again, the perks in this sector can put you on the road to an early retirement.
The Unique Curriculum of an MBA in Artificial Intelligence Program
If you want to enter the AI industry or leverage AI effectively in other sectors, you’re in luck. California is home to a small yet wonderfully diverse collection of MBA programs that offer AI degree specializations.
That being said, though, each program teaches a similar set of core skills like:
- Data analysis
- Using machine learning and other techniques to improve decision-making and efficiency
- Managing implementation initiatives
- Adapting to the social and ethical challenges of AI
- Researching new uses of AI in preparation for future developments
However, when it comes to how these principles are taught and framed, each program brings a little something different to the table.
For example, California Miramar University’s MBA in AI program features classes on utilizing AI for risk management, business intelligence, and customer insight analysis. This is a well-balanced option if you’re pursuing management and high-level leadership positions in any number of industries.
Or at Touro University Worldwide, you can earn a Master of Business Administration in Artificial Intelligence Management online. It only takes nine credit hours to complete this track, but you get pretty unique classes on utilizing machine learning programs and robots to boost efficiency — a great option if you’re in manufacturing or another high-pace, high-volume sector.
MBA in AI Online and at Campus Locations in California
Because MBA in AI programs vary so much, it’s important to take a close look at your options. AI-focused MBA programs are still relatively new so even in California (a state with so many MBA programs) there aren’t a lot to choose from. But what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality.
Westcliff University
College of Business
Irvine, CA
ACBSP
Master of Business Administration in Applied AI in Business
William Jessup University
School of Business
Rocklin, CA
ACBSP
Master of Business Administration in AI
California Miramar University
School of Business
San Diego, CA
DEAC (national, institutional accreditation)
Master of Business Administration in AI
Touro University Worldwide
School of Business and Management
Online
ACBSP
Master of Business Administration in Artificial Intelligence Management
Alternative Options: Other Types of Degree Programs That Cover Artificial Intelligence
If none of the MBA in Artificial Intelligence programs in California seem like a good fit, those aren’t your only options. You can also explore other types of MBA programs that cover AI or look for another type of degree program altogether. Depending on your goals, either can be a great option.
Other Types of MBA Programs That Cover Artificial Intelligence
With AI adoption rates on the rise, AI is becoming a more common topic in MBA programs of all kinds. For instance, AI-driven tools are especially common in: business analytics, information technology, supply chain management, and marketing. Today, MBA programs that offer specializations in those areas are likely to cover AI in some capacity.
While not all of your classes will cover AI, the advantage of this route is that you’ll still get a well-rounded business education. However, you’ll want to talk to admissions counselors and examine the curriculum closely to ensure you’ll get the AI education you want.
Other Types of Master’s Programs
If you’d rather focus more on the technical side of AI than the business side, another option is to earn a Master of Science (MS) in Artificial Intelligence or a similar field. A lot of schools that offer MBAs (San Jose State University and California Miramar University, for example) also offer MS in Artificial Intelligence programs.
However, these types of programs are going to be pretty STEM heavy. While you might take a class or two on AI business strategies, the bulk of the curriculum will likely cover things like statistics, programming, and different types of AI.
This could be a great route to take if you’re after a high-level technical role. But if you want to make a beeline for the c-suite or a director role, an MBA program might be a better fit unless your business administration skills are already pretty well-developed.