Flinders University has launched Australia’s first MBA specialising in Artificial Intelligence for business leaders, alongside a new future-focused Business School dedicated to preparing professionals for an AI-driven workforce.
Unlike other AI degrees that focus on technical development, the Flinders MBA AI is designed for executives and managers across all disciplines, equipping them with the strategic AI literacy, critical thinking and leadership skills needed to drive transformation 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 the first university in Australia to offer an MBA dedicated to AI strategy and leadership, responding to a global shift in business education where AI literacy, ethical decision-making and human leadership skills are becoming essential capabilities for executives across every sector.
The two-year program combines core MBA studies with AI specialisation across leadership, innovation and business transformation. For professionals looking to advance into senior leadership roles in AI strategy or digital transformation, the Flinders MBA AI offers a direct pathway without requiring a technical background. Students learn how to leverage AI to improve decision-making, drive productivity and create competitive advantage across organisations.
Students studying the MBA AI will gain practical experience through industry placements and entrepreneurial programs while building valuable professional networks. The program will equip students with practical AI knowledge to solve complex business challenges and deliver measurable organisational impact. As well as prepare students for high-demand roles in AI strategy, digital transformation and innovation leadership across diverse sectors.
Dr Afshin Tanouri, Program Director of the new MBA AI says artificial intelligence is shifting workforce expectations and fundamentally changing the way businesses operate.
“Its vital that business education evolves alongside these changes and this new MBA offering does just that.”
The program is designed for business professionals across a wide range of disciplines, not just technical fields. Foundational concepts including data analytics, machine learning and AI applications are taught from the ground up, ensuring graduates are genuinely prepared for an AI-driven workforce regardless of their prior experience with technology.
The Dean of Business at Flinders University, Professor Angie Shafei, says today’s graduates and leaders need more than technical knowledge alone.
“They need the ability to think critically, adapt quickly and make informed decisions in increasingly complex environments.”
As Australian universities respond to a rapidly changing economy, Flinders University’s new Business School and MBA AI program represent a commitment to practical, industry-connected education that equips graduates with the leadership capabilities needed for an AI-enabled workforce.
The program is a direct response to growing employer demand for professionals who can apply AI strategically, ethically and with confidence, across industries from healthcare and defence to finance and the public sector.
Find more information on the Flinders University Master of Business Administration Artificial Intelligence here.