Executive MBA Operational Excellence & AI

Source: https://www.tuwien.at/en/ace/programs/mba-programs/operational-excellence-ai Parent: https://www.tuwien.at/en/ace/programs/mba-programs

Executive MBA Operational Excellence & AI | Part-time at TU Wien

Facts

Language: English
Duration: 3 semesters + master's thesis
Format: part-time
Application Deadline: Sep. 15, 2026
Start: October 2026
Fee: € 28,890 (-10% for TU Wien Alumni)
Early Bird Bonus: - € 2,000 for applications until May 31, 2026\ Timetable

– with an Executive MBA at the intersection of Technology, Management, and Finance.

TU Wien | 3 semesters | English | Part-time

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From AI Pilots to Measurable Business Value

Many data and AI initiatives remain stuck at the proof-of-concept stage, lacking a robust roadmap, clear accountability, or integration into processes and IT. Demonstrating business value, establishing reliable ROI models, and linking initiatives to financial and risk perspectives are often unclear. At the same time, data quality, governance, ethics, and regulatory frameworks—such as the EU AI Act in the European context—demand a systematic response. Moreover, modern AI—from large language models to AI agents—offers tremendous potential but often fails to translate into stable operating models and effective organizational change.

Systematically Connecting Data, AI, and Management

The Executive MBA in Operational Excellence & AI at TU Wien addresses this gap at the intersection of technology, data, and management. The program integrates leadership, finance & economics, technology and innovation management, and marketing & strategy with a clear specialization in Data Foundations, Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, and AI-Driven Business & Operations. You will gain the skills to lead data- and AI-based initiatives from the underlying data and methodology selection to architecture and operational and strategic implementation. Part-time, block-style modules combined with the academic rigor of TU Wien provide a structured yet practice-oriented learning environment.

Leadership at the Intersection of Technology, Data, and Business

Leadership Responsibility in Technology-Driven Contexts

The EMBA is designed for professionals who want to not only accompany but actively shape digital and data-driven transformations. You may oversee product development, operations, or business processes, manage digital initiatives, or drive AI projects within existing structures. In your daily work, key challenges include scaling use cases, integrating them with existing systems, and securing investments. You aim to make decisions that are not only technically sound but also financially, strategically, and organizationally informed.

Experienced Professionals with a Technical and Analytical Background

Typically, participants have 5–15 years of professional experience, often with a background in technology, computer science, natural sciences, or economics. Technology, data, and digitalization are core elements of your role—regardless of whether you work in industry, energy, finance, consulting, the public sector, or software. You are seeking an academically rigorous, internationally oriented EMBA program in English that can be completed alongside your career and supports your development toward strategic leadership roles. The program is not aimed at individuals without several years of professional experience or those interested solely in a technical AI study without a management focus.

Key Facts


Duration:	3 Semesters + Masterthesis
Academic director:	Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Fazel Ansari
Academic Co-director:	Dipl.-Ing., B.Sc. Andreas Steiner
Language:	English
Degree:	Master of Business Administration (MBA)
ECTS:	90
Format:	Part-time, blocked in modules
Locations:	TU Wien, Wien-Umgebung
Fee:	€ 28,890 (-10% for TU Wien graduates) Take advantage of the tax deductibility: Up to 50% of the program fees can be refunded.
Early Bird Bonus:	- € 2.000 for applications until May 31, 2026

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Curriculum: Leadership, Business Analytics & AI-Driven Corporate Management

The Executive MBA in Operational Excellence & AI structures your development along three complementary pillars: Leadership & Organizational Behavior, Management & Technology Essentials, and a specialized focus on AI & Business. This approach provides you with an integrated understanding of how leadership, finance, technology, and data strategies interact. Theoretical foundations are consistently combined with case studies, corporate projects, and a Final Pitch, in which you validate your own AI solution in front of industry experts.

1. Leadership & Organizational Behavior

Leading in Complex, Data-Driven Organizations\ You will develop your leadership and communication skills to effectively guide teams in digital and technology-driven environments. The focus is on decision-making behavior, motivation, accountability, and the creation of learning organizations.
Shaping and Embedding Change Processes\ You will learn how to organizationally embed data- and AI-driven innovations—from stakeholder management and handling resistance to designing appropriate structures and roles. This enables you to implement transformations in a planned, transparent, and sustainable manner.

2. Management & Technology Essentials

Finance & Economics for Technology-Driven Decisions\ You will be able to financially evaluate investments in data and AI initiatives, develop business cases, and assess risks from an economic perspective. This includes understanding key metrics, valuation logics, and the ability to effectively advocate projects to budget holders.
Managing Technologies and Data-Driven Innovation\ You will gain a structured understanding of data science and relevant technologies in a corporate context. The focus is on decision principles such as build vs. buy, integration strategies, and the design of robust technical architectures for data-driven applications.
Marketing & Strategy in a Digital Context\ You will sharpen your perspective on market positioning, value propositions, and strategic options in the context of data- and AI-driven business models. This enables you to consistently align technological opportunities with customer and market perspectives.

Specialization: Business Analytics & AI

The Data Foundations – Data as a Strategic Resource\ You will understand data quality, collection, integration, and visualization as the foundation for every AI-driven decision. Governance, privacy, ethics, and the quantification of the business value of data are integral components of this foundation.
Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence – From Methods to Models\ You will gain a solid overview of key concepts and tools in modern AI, from classical data science approaches to artificial neural networks, large language models, generative AI, prompting, AI agents, and computer vision. Applied examples and case studies illustrate how these technologies are translated into concrete solutions.
AI-Driven Business & Operations – From Intelligence to Impact\ You will translate data and AI solutions into real business processes, operations, and business models. This includes designing data-driven strategies, developing appropriate operating models, and preparing your own AI project, which you will present in the Final Pitch to industry experts.

Curriculum in Detail

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Your Development: Leading AI Transformation Strategically – The Bridge Between Technology and Business Value

Upon completing the Executive MBA in Operational Excellence & AI, you will take responsibility for data-driven initiatives across the entire value chain—from the underlying data to financial integration. You will develop into a leadership professional who confidently balances technical depth, business requirements, and regulatory frameworks, driving projects to measurable success.

Immediate Implementation Power through a Focus on ROI & Impact

You plan and manage AI applications not as experiments, but as strategic business cases. Through the Final Pitch format and by working on your own projects, you directly apply methods to your professional context. This ensures that initiatives scale beyond the pilot stage and deliver a real return on investment (ROI) within your organization.

Leadership for Tech, Finance & Strategy

You will gain the competence to lead interdisciplinary teams in environments where decisions are increasingly data-driven. You will learn to evaluate investments in data platforms and automation from both a technical perspective and in terms of risk and competitive advantage. This combination qualifies you for roles with expanded responsibility for results and budgets.

A Lifelong Network at a Leading Technical University

You benefit from the academic rigor and reputation of TU Wien. Interaction within an internationally diverse cohort creates valuable synergies and opportunities for future collaboration. As part of the TU Wien Alumni Community, you gain long-term visibility and access to experts and decision-makers at the forefront of technological innovation.

Program Structure and Teaching Format

The Executive MBA in Operational Excellence & AI is explicitly designed for working professionals. Instruction takes place in block modules at TU Wien and in the surrounding Vienna area, allowing for long-term planning of on-site attendance. Between modules, you work on assignments, case studies, and—depending on the phase—your EMBA thesis. The language of instruction is English, providing access to international literature, global examples, and a diverse cohort. German is advantageous for networking and professional contexts, particularly within the DACH region.

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Network & Alumni Relations

From day one, you become part of the TU Wien Academy for Continuing Education network. You benefit from:

Interaction with international students and faculty from diverse industries and disciplines
Invitations to expert lectures, panels, and networking events during and after the program
Access to alumni offerings that support your professional development in the long term

FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions

What does operational excellence mean in the context of AI?

Operational excellence describes the systematic optimization of business processes to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. In the context of AI, this means data-driven process analysis, automation through intelligent systems, and the scaling of AI applications from individual projects to stable operation. The term combines classic lean principles with modern technology—and it is precisely this combination that is at the heart of the program.

Why pursue an MBA with an AI specialization rather than a pure AI course?

Technical AI courses teach tools, but not decision-making skills. As a manager, you don't need to train models yourself, but rather strategically manage AI initiatives: Which use cases create value? How do I secure budget and buy-in? How do I connect technology with finance, risk, and organizational development? The EMBA Operational Excellence & AI closes precisely this gap between technical understanding and entrepreneurial responsibility.

What distinguishes this program from MBAs at traditional business schools?

Traditional business schools such as WU, INSEAD, and Mannheim focus on finance, strategy, and general management. The EMBA Operational Excellence & AI at TU Wien is one of the few programs in the DACH region that treats AI transformation, data governance, and process optimization as core components of the curriculum—embedded in the technical excellence and research proximity of a leading technical university. You will not only learn what AI can do, but also how to lead AI projects in your company from pilot to scaled business value.

Why do so many AI projects fail – and what am I learning differently here?

Most AI initiatives get stuck in the proof-of-concept stage because three things are missing: a robust database, clear ROI models, and integration into existing processes and IT systems. The EMBA addresses precisely this gap. You will work on your own use cases, develop business cases with robust financing models, and learn how to move from the pilot phase to scaling. The final pitch format in front of industry experts forces you to test your solution for feasibility.

What roles does the degree qualify me for?

The EMBA positions you for leadership roles at the intersection of technology and business: Head of Digital Transformation, Chief Data Officer, VP Operations, Director of AI Strategy, or executive management in technology-driven companies. You will qualify for roles with expanded budget and profit responsibility, where data-driven decisions and AI initiatives are part of the core business.

Do I need programming skills?

No. You don't need to be able to write code. The program teaches you how to manage AI projects, not how to develop models yourself. More important than programming skills is a willingness to engage with data-driven methods and their strategic application. Participants with a technical background will benefit from their prior experience, but it is not a prerequisite.