AI Professional program

Artificial intelligence and data science are no longer emerging topics, but are becoming an integral part of everyday business.

Organizations are increasingly faced with AI-powered tools, data-driven solutions and ambitious promises. Yet a fundamental question remains: how can AI actually help your organization achieve tangible, sustainable results?

• Start: March 11, 2026
• Duration:6 sessions over 3 months
• Location:Brightlands Smart Services Campus in Heerlen
• Cost:€495,- p.p. (incl. catering, materials, certificate of participation)

Why participate?

This program is designed for managers and entrepreneurs who want to make AI work for them in an effective way. Professionals who want to look beyond hype and experimentation and get a clear, realistic picture of how AI can support business operations. Whether your challenge lies in improving scheduling, increasing operational efficiency, reducing costs, optimizing energy consumption or exploring digital assistants for knowledge-intensive work, this program will help you identify where AI can create real value, and where it can't.

With no technical or programming knowledge required, participants will learn the basics of artificial intelligence and data science from a business and organizational perspective. The focus is not on building applications.

Program

During six interactive sessions, you will work step-by-step on an AI use case from your own organization. You will learn how to define and delineate an AI opportunity, communicate effectively with technical experts and external suppliers, and take into account ethical, legal and organizational considerations. Upon completion of the program, this case will be taken up by a team of students as a learning project, with you acting as client and coach, supported by experts from the participating knowledge partners.

The result

At the end of the program, you are not an AI engineer or technical specialist. Instead, you will become an AI broker: someone who understands what AI can and cannot do, who can initiate and structure AI initiatives, bridge the gap between business and technology, and guide AI-driven innovation toward meaningful, accountable results. The goal of this course is to build awareness, understanding and confidence so you can decide where to start with AI, how to move forward and how to integrate AI sustainably into your organization.

Made possible by

This program is the result of a collaboration between Maastricht University, Zuyd Hogeschool, Fontys Hogeschool, Het Vista College, Gilde Opleidingen, Open University, Chill and Brightlands Smart Services Campus.