David Koch, Professor Angie Abdel Shafei, Finance Editor Chris Kohler, and Professor Michael Gilding, Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Creative Arts, Law and Social Sciences, attended the AI Summit to launch Flinders Business School.
Flinders University has launched Australia’s first Artificial Intelligence-focused MBA for business leaders, while also creating a forward-looking new business school dedicated to preparing professionals for an AI-driven workforce.
Unlike other AI degrees that focus on technology development, the Flinders MBA AI is designed for executives and managers from all sectors to develop the strategic AI literacy, critical thinking and leadership skills needed to drive change in an AI-enabled economy.
The program reflects the university’s ambition to position South Australia as a national leader in AI business education. Flinders University is Australia’s first university to offer an MBA focused on AI Strategy and Leadership, responding to global changes in business education where AI literacy, ethical decision-making and human leadership skills are becoming essential competencies for executives across all sectors.
This two-year program combines core MBA learning with specialization in AI across leadership, innovation, and business transformation. For professionals looking to advance into senior leadership roles in AI strategy and digital transformation, the Flinders MBA AI provides a direct pathway with no technical background required. Students will learn how to leverage AI to improve decision-making, increase productivity, and create competitive advantage across their organizations.
MBA AI students gain practical experience through industry introductions and entrepreneurship programs while building valuable professional networks. This program provides students with practical AI knowledge to solve complex business challenges and create measurable impact for their organizations. We also prepare students for in-demand roles in AI strategy, digital transformation, and innovation leadership across a variety of sectors.
Dr. Afshin Tanuri, program director of the new MBA AI, says artificial intelligence is changing employee expectations and fundamentally changing the way businesses operate.
“It is critical that business education evolves with these changes, and this new MBA program will do just that.”
This program is designed for business professionals from a wide range of fields, not just technical fields. We teach foundational concepts such as data analysis, machine learning, and AI applications from the ground up, ensuring that our graduates are truly prepared for an AI-driven workforce, regardless of their prior experience with technology.
Professor Angie Shafei, Dean of Flinders University’s School of Management, says technical knowledge alone is not enough for today’s graduates and leaders.
“They need the ability to think critically, adapt quickly and make informed decisions in an increasingly complex environment.”
As Australian universities respond to a rapidly changing economy, Flinders University’s new Business School and MBA AI program represents a commitment to practical, industry-aligned education that equips graduates with the leadership competencies needed for an AI-enabled workforce.
This program is a direct response to employers’ growing demand for professionals who can apply AI strategically, ethically, and confidently across industries, from healthcare and defense to finance and the public sector.
Find out more about the Flinders University Master of Business Administration and Artificial Intelligence here.
