Program profile · official sources
AI Essentials for Business
AI Essentials for Business is an on-demand Harvard Business School Online course, taught by HBS professors Karim R. Lakhani and Marco Iansiti, on how AI is transforming business. Four modules (The Age of AI, The Rise of Generative AI, Strategy: Network Effects and Learning Effects, and Transformation Journey) take 16-24 hours over 4 weeks, with case-based exercises. It is aimed at business professionals, leaders, aspiring leaders and functional specialists; no prerequisites are stated. Completing the course earns a Certificate of Completion, and it counts toward a Certificate of Specialization when three Digital Transformation and AI courses are completed within 18 months. As shown in the United States on 6 October 2026, the price is USD 1,949.
Facts checked 6 Oct 2026
- Price
- USD 1949
- As shown in the United States on 6 October 2026, the official course page displays Price $1,949 for this on-demand course. Taxes are not stated.
- Provider link
See price and enroll at Harvard Business School Online (official site) ↗
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- Time
- 4 weeks, 16-24 hours in total, 4-6 hours per module (provider-listed)
- Level
- Not listed
- Credential
- Certificate of completion
The course page presents the certificate as a resume credential ("Boost your resume with a Certificate of Completion from HBS Online"); no digital sharing or verification method is stated on the captured pages.
- Prerequisites
- No prerequisites are stated on the captured course page.
- Format
- On-demand online course from HBS Online; start anytime; four modules with case-based examples, polls, quizzes and peer discussion
Commercial status: no commercial relationship is documented for this page. The verification link goes directly to the official provider source.
Sources ↗
- Price : https://online.hbs.edu/courses/ai-essentials-for-business
- Duration : https://online.hbs.edu/courses/ai-essentials-for-business
- Official program page : https://online.hbs.edu/courses/ai-essentials-for-business
- Credential details : https://online.hbs.edu/why-hbs-online/about-our-courses-and-programs/what-you-earn
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What’s covered
- The Age of AI
- The Rise of Generative AI
- Strategy: Network Effects and Learning Effects
- Transformation Journey
Prerequisites: No prerequisites are stated on the captured course page.
What you actually do
- The Age of AI : 5-6 hours; Module 1 of 4; provider-listed hours, estimate · Source
- The Rise of Generative AI : 4-5 hours; Module 2 of 4; provider-listed hours, estimate · Source
- Strategy: Network Effects and Learning Effects : 5-6 hours; Module 3 of 4; provider-listed hours, estimate · Source
- Transformation Journey : 4-5 hours; Module 4 of 4; provider-listed hours, estimate · Source
What the credential is
- Credential type
- Certificate of completion · online.hbs.edu / what-you-earn
- Credential
- Certificate of Completion from HBS Online · online.hbs.edu / what-you-earn online.hbs.edu / ai-essentials-for-business
- Issuer
- Harvard Business School Online · online.hbs.edu / what-you-earn online.hbs.edu / ai-essentials-for-business
- Sharing
- The course page presents the certificate as a resume credential ("Boost your resume with a Certificate of Completion from HBS Online"); no digital sharing or verification method is stated on the captured pages. · online.hbs.edu / ai-essentials-for-business
- Exam requirement
- Finish all coursework in a thoughtful and timely manner, including completing each module, meeting required deadlines, offering feedback on others' reflections and contributing to conversations on the course platform. No separate exam is stated. A Certificate of Specialization needs three courses from the Digital Transformation and AI Learning Track completed within 18 months. · online.hbs.edu / what-you-earn
Total cost to finish
Estimate for the stated payment scope: USD 1949 × 1 = USD 1949.
- Displayed course price: USD 1949 × 1 = USD 1949. One enrollment in this course as displayed on the official page. · Source
Scope: Displayed course price only; taxes, refunds and payment terms are not stated on the captured page. · Source
Alternatives in the registry
Related by topic or level.
- AWS Certified AI Practitioner (AIF-C01) : USD 100 (One initial exam attempt; check applicable regional pricing and taxes. Optional preparation and retakes are not included.); 90 minutes (exam only; not preparation time).
- Microsoft Certified: AI Transformation Leader (Exam AB-731) : Check official price; 45 minutes to complete the exam assessment; not preparation time.
- AI Ethics : Check official price; 4 hours (provider headline; module and exam timings listed separately).
Change log
- : Initial record from the official course page and the HBS Online credentials page captured from the United States on 6 October 2026. · Source
See price and enroll at Harvard Business School Online (official site) ↗
Official site. No commission.