Smith welcomes inaugural MMAI class

Kingston, Ont. – Earlier this month, Smith paid welcome to the inaugural class of the Queen’s Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence (MMAI). 

Announced at the end of February, the MMAI program is the first of its kind in North America and seeks to meet industry’s growing need for managers who can apply AI strategies to business decisions and generate tangible outcomes. 

The business school exceeded its enrollment target of 40 for the 2019 class by 24 students, or 60 per cent.

“The inaugural MMAI class of 64 students boasts a very competent and diverse demographic profile,” notes program Director Stephen Thomas.

The Class of 2019 has a mix of technical and business backgrounds and represents a diverse range of organizations covering the banking, information technology, government, retail and startup industries. Over 35 employers are represented among the class.

“The program brings together forward thinkers from all industries,” says student Rebecca Guy, Class of 2019 and an analyst at Scotiabank. “Each person brings a diverse educational and professional skillset to the group so we are constantly learning from each other. The team-based learning structure encourages this and ensures we have the tools we need to be more effective members of our teams at work.”

The opening residential session of the program was held on campus in Kingston. Regular classes are held a SmithToronto and taught by Smith faculty, adjunct faculty from Element AI and Deloitte’s new AI branch – Omnia – as well as guest lecturers and researchers from the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence.  

“My first month of the MMAI program has exceeded expectations. The curriculum reflects a thorough understanding of what business managers in 2018 need to be successful," Guy says.