Careers for MBA Graduates Specializing in AI
In today’s business environment, a familiarity with, and in some cases mastery of, artificial intelligence (AI) tools is increasingly vital. According to PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer report, every major industry is using more AI. This includes financial services and healthcare. It also covers areas not usually linked to new technology, like retail and agriculture.
The shift is rapidly reshaping the workforce. Salaries in industries affected most by AI are increasing quickly. They are rising twice as fast as in sectors that are slow to adopt the technology. This information comes from a report by PwC.
Workers with AI skills now earn 56% more than those in the same jobs without these skills. This is up from 25% just a year ago. The skills needed for AI jobs are changing 66% faster than in other fields. This shows how important it is to keep learning in a world that relies more on AI.
Today's business leaders need to be skilled in AI. They also need to have strong management and critical thinking skills. This helps them leverage AI effectively and implement the technology responsibly.
An advanced education can help people enter or move up in AI-driven fields. It helps them stand out in a competitive job market and get ready for the next generation of AI careers.
What Can You Learn With an MBA in AI?
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most versatile business degrees available. Many people and companies recognize that it prepares professionals to lead across industries. By adding a concentration in AI, aspiring business leaders can open the door to new, high-growth career opportunities.
An MBA with a concentration in AI is designed to develop students’ technical expertise — including basic programming and prompt engineering skills — along with strategic management abilities. Beyond technical literacy, the program explores practical applications of AI and generative AI (gen AI) and how leaders can leverage these technologies to drive innovation and boost productivity. This combination prepares graduates to thrive in an AI-enabled job market.
By understanding both AI technologies and their business potential, graduates learn how to bridge the gap between technical teams and organizational leaders — a crucial skill for ensuring successful, responsible implementation of AI tools across business functions.
Graduates of an MBA program with a concentration in AI should emerge ready to:
- Lead innovation, efficiency, and ethical decision-making with AI
- Manage machine learning projects from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with business goals
- Evaluate the limitations and capabilities of various AI systems
- Communicate technical concepts clearly to nontechnical stakeholders
AI Career Paths for MBA Graduates
Earning an MBA with a concentration in AI can give graduates a competitive edge in the job market, opening the door to a range of impactful, AI-driven roles. Below are examples of career paths that blend business acumen with technical fluency, with salary and employment growth data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Data Scientists
Data scientists use analytical techniques and tools, including machine learning (ML) algorithms, to extract meaningful insights from large, complex datasets. They also build and test the algorithms and models that power ML programs, using them to collect, clean, and organize data from various sources.
Once they’ve parsed the data, they convert their findings into actionable business recommendations and present them to stakeholders. Data scientists’ analytical expertise helps organizations make informed decisions, develop new products, and optimize marketing and operations.
- Median annual salary: $112,590 (2024)
- Employment outlook: 34% growth (82,500 net new jobs; 2024-2034)
Project Managers
Project managers coordinate budgets, timelines, and deliverables, often across multiple initiatives. They also serve as liaisons between clients, customers, and vendors, ensuring that projects stay on track, remain within scope, and achieve clients’ goals. They’re responsible for monitoring project progress and intervening when issues arise, working with staff to identify solutions.
As AI becomes more integrated into business operations, project managers increasingly leverage these tools to forecast risks, automate routine tasks, and analyze project data to improve decision-making.
- Median annual salary: $100,750 (2024)
- Employment outlook: 6% growth (58,700 net new jobs; 2024-2034)
Marketing Managers
Marketing managers devise strategies and plan campaigns to generate interest in products or services. They collaborate with staff across departments, such as advertising or finance, to develop budgets and contracts, shape strategy, and craft promotional materials. They also conduct market research to gain insight into their customers and competitors.
As marketing becomes ever more data-driven, managers who understand AI can use predictive modeling and automation to personalize outreach and improve efficiency.
- Median annual salary: $161,030 (2024)
- Employment outlook: 7% growth (26,700 net new jobs; 2024-2034)
AI Strategists
AI strategists bridge the gap between business leaders’ objectives and the capabilities of technical teams. They evaluate opportunities for AI integration, select the tools that best align with organizational goals, and oversee implementation. They also factor ethical considerations into their decision-making.
Effective AI strategists possess a deep understanding of both the technical and the business dimensions, which they use to help companies harness the full potential of the technology.
- Median annual salary: $139,800 (Payscale, September 2025)
Although the BLS doesn’t track employment data for AI strategists, as more companies adopt AI-focused strategies and seek to implement these tools into their operations, demand for strategic AI leadership will likely grow.
AI Skills for Business Professionals
As AI tools have become more commonplace, AI expertise is no longer a niche skill. According to October 2025 data from Payscale, job postings requesting AI skills increased by 33% just since May 2025, reflecting how quickly the technology is reshaping hiring trends.
Professionals looking to succeed in AI-centric roles need more than technical skills — they also need to combine analytical insight, managerial acumen, and ethical awareness. The following are core skills that business professionals should cultivate to stay ahead:
- Data analysis: The foundation of any AI-enabled initiative lies in the collection and interpretation of meaningful data. Professionals who can pull insights out of complex data and translate their findings into strategic recommendations can help organizations turn AI outputs into measurable business value.
- Prompt engineering: The ability to craft clear, targeted prompts for gen AI tools has become a sought-after skill. Effective prompt engineers know how to guide large language models (LLMs) to produce accurate, relevant, and creative outputs that drive innovation and productivity.
- Project management: Overseeing AI projects, including implementation and ongoing optimization, requires coordination across teams, vendors, and timelines. Those who understand both the business objectives and the practical realities of AI implementation can ensure that projects remain on schedule and within budget.
- Leadership and ethics: Business leaders are responsible for guiding AI integration with attention to key considerations such as governance, bias, transparency, and data privacy — especially in sectors such as healthcare and finance, where AI can have a significant impact on trust and safety.
Leading the Future of Business With AI
As AI continues to redefine business, professionals who can pair technical fluency with strategic insight and managerial vision will be best positioned to lead. The online MBA with a concentration in AI at Notre Dame de Namur University teaches students how to leverage this technology responsibly to drive sustainable business growth.
Our fully online program is designed to equip students with both the technological proficiency and the leadership mindset to harness AI ethically and effectively across industries. Learn how NDNU can help you stand out in the ever-changing world of AI.
Recommended Readings
Benefits of a Graduate Degree for Starting a Business
Sources:
G-P, Your Guide to the Top AI Skills and Where to Find Them
IBM, “A Guide to AI in Marketing”
Microsoft, How AI Project Management Tools Streamline Workflows
Payscale, “AI Skills Are in Demand, and Employers Are Paying Big Bucks for Them”
Payscale, Average Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specialist Salary
PwC, The Fearless Future: 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer
Upwork, “What Is an AI Strategist? Requirements and Responsibilities”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Data Scientists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Project Management Specialists