AI Leadership programme participant, Jamie Bowen, returns to WBS after completing a previous programme and shares his experience.

What is your name and what are you studying?

My name is Jamie Bowen, I'm currently a self-employed management consultant, but previously was a Head of ESG and Improvement for a major critical infrastructure safety services business in the UK. I had previously attended the WBS Executive Education programme Behavioural Science in Practice, and this time back to study the new executive education programme, AI Leadership.

What motivated you to apply for the AI Leadership programme?

AI is such a hot topic at the moment that you cannot ignore it, but yet my experience in my last role was that people feared AI and that there was no real strategy, governance or training so that people could actually start to work out how to get the best out of AI in their jobs. I wanted a programme that would not only address understanding the technology better but how best you could build strategy and governance around AI. There are numerous AI courses out there at the moment, mainly online, but from my past experience with WBS the opportunity for F2F learning and networking with such a wide diverse cohort would certainly make a difference. I believe that WBS does stand out from other schools by looking at things differently and providing cutting edge learning.

What was it about the programme that stood out?

The opportunity for F2F learning was definitely a positive, which then gave me the opportunity to network with such a diverse cohort of experiences, sectors and countries. WBS is also known for its leadership programmes and with this built into the AI Leadership programme, I knew I was going to get a positive experience. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the technology and how organisations can develop AI adoption strategies that deliver value for the organisation and its people. This programme included all of these elements. 

What was your favourite part of the programme?

The networking part of WBS programmes always stands out, not just with the cohort but also the professors on the programme. Online learning has its place but F2F learning does provide that opportunity to network over a cup of coffee during a break or during the evening meal, and I've developed a few more connections via this programme. The way the programme is also designed gives a nice of mix and lectures and breakout sessions, so networking is a real positive with WBS programmes.

Learning in The Shard is a fantastic venue and so easily accessible with public transport. It was definitely one of the reasons why I wanted to join the programme.

What will you be taking or have taken from the programme to your workplace?

Understanding the technology better has certainly helped me adapt my approach to AI now and I've also started experimenting a little bit more on some ideas that I had prior to joining the programme. The move away from large generalised language models to more specific subject matter models and AI agents is something I was hoping to take my previous organisation towards, I would like to learn more about AI Agents and how they could be developed. The leadership framework we were exposed to as well can help me with the organisations that I support in helping them with their AI adoption. The success of any programme for me is whether I've learnt something new and whether I've walked away with new ideas, the unanimous answer to this programme is yes!

What would  be your advice to someone considering applying for this programme in the future?

I think firstly consider no longer, definitely apply and join the programme. Come to the programme by understanding where your organisation currently sits with AI adoption, what are the problems you are experiencing or what is working really well. Bringing these real-life experiences to the programme will help stimulate discussion and help with the learning. You will walk away with the ability with loads of new ideas and the opportunity to develop an action plan that can help improve AI adoption and enable your organisation to get the best out of the technology.

Why was the WBS the school you chose for this programme?

I had such a positive experience with the Behavioural Science in Practice that I was keen to return. WBS is highly thought of business schools and having a WBS programme on your CV does make you stand out.

Find out more about our AI Leadership programme.