AIST
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AI Strategist

Professional Level Exam
Shape the future of AI in your organization.
Developing and aligning AI strategies

The AI Strategist Certification (AIST) prepares professionals to lead the development and implementation of organization-wide AI strategies. Similar to past roles in cloud or digital transformation, AI Strategists are responsible for integrating AI into core business models, ensuring alignment with regulatory, ethical, and cultural expectations, and enabling sustainable value creation.

Target Audience
This certification is ideal for anyone looking to
  • Define and drive an AI vision aligned with organizational goals
  • Integrate AI into digital transformation, product innovation, and operations
  • Address organizational readiness, workforce adoption, and change management
  • Coordinate across business, technical, and compliance teams
  • Lead AI initiatives at C-level, in strategy, innovation, or transformation roles
Core Domains
Focus Areas
  1. Strategic Foundations of AI
    • Understanding AI as a transformative capability (vs. pure technology)
    • Key AI trends, value drivers, and business implications
    • Strategic positioning: competitive advantage, customer experience, and innovation
  2. Organizational AI Readiness & Operating Models
    • AI maturity assessment frameworks
    • Operating models for AI (centralized, embedded, federated)
    • Talent, culture, and change management in AI adoption
  3. Governance, Risk & Compliance in AI Strategy
    • Integrating AI governance into enterprise strategy
    • Mapping strategy to frameworks
    • Ethical and reputational risk from a leadership perspective
  4. Roadmapping, Metrics & Strategic Execution
    • AI strategy design and alignment with corporate KPIs
    • Portfolio management for AI use cases and investments
    • Success measurement, adoption tracking, and communication
Learning Outcomes
What can certified individuals do after successfully completing the program?
  • Design and communicate a clear AI strategy tailored to business needs
  • Lead cross-functional alignment between business, IT, and compliance
  • Evaluate readiness and steer transformation with organizational awareness
  • Establish an AI vision that considers ethics, value creation, and scalability
  • Position themselves as strategic leaders in AI transformation
Certification
What is the certification process like?
  • 3-day structured training (instructor-led)
  • Final exam: multiple-choice, online
  • Language: English or German
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • 40 questions, passing score: 65% (26 correct)
  • Closed-book, proctored exam via AICCI
Prerequisites
Are there any formal prerequisites?
  • No formal prerequisites are required
  • AICCI AI Foundation (AIFO) Certificate recommended
  • Open to all individuals with an interest in AI
Why is this certification worth pursuing?
  • Lead the design and execution of AI strategies in your organization
  • Align AI innovation with business goals, ethics, and compliance
  • Strengthen your influence at the intersection of leadership and technology
  • Be recognized as a visionary in AI-driven digital transformation

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the certification meet the requirements of Article 4 of the EU AI Act?
Yes. The AIFO certification provides the essential AI literacy required by Article 4 of the EU AI Act, covering technical basics, risks, opportunities, and ethical considerations. It is well-suited to fulfill the training obligation for non-technical professionals.
Who is the AIST certification intended for?
AIST is designed for professionals in leadership, strategy, innovation, or digital transformation roles. It’s ideal for those responsible for defining and guiding the AI direction of their organization—similar to how past leaders shaped cloud or digital strategies.
Do I need a technical background to enroll?
No. AIST is a strategy-focused certification, not a technical one. A general understanding of AI concepts is helpful, but the program is built for business leaders, not developers or engineers.

Completion of the AICCI AI Foundation (AIFO) certification is recommended.
What skills will I gain through the AIST certification?
You’ll learn how to design and lead organization-wide AI strategies, assess AI maturity, manage adoption and change, and align AI initiatives with business goals, ethics, and governance frameworks like ISO 42001 and the EU AI Act.
How can I use this certification in my career?
AIST positions you as a strategic AI leader within your organization. It supports roles like Chief AI Officer, Head of Digital Strategy, Transformation Lead, or Innovation Manager—where vision, alignment, and governance are key.
Is AIST valuable even if my organization is early in its AI journey?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s most valuable when you're shaping early-stage direction. AIST helps you define a realistic roadmap, avoid common pitfalls, and build an AI foundation that’s ethical, scalable, and strategically aligned.
Is there an exam, and how is it structured?
Step 1: Schedule a free AI Compliance Consultation
Step 2: We conduct a preliminary AI risk assessment
Step 3: You receive a custom AI compliance roadmap
Step 4: We help you implement & audit AI models for compliance
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