Strategic Risk Management in the Age of AI

This course dives into strategic risk management, focusing on complex and emerging environments. Learners systematically identify, assess and mitigate risks, especially those related to technological advancements like AI. Each module builds on the last, offering practical tools and hands-on tasks to equip participants with the skills needed to make effective decisions in the face of uncertainty. By the end of the course, learners will have a comprehensive risk assessment and communication plan, tested through a project based on real-world scenarios.

• Module 1: Foundations of strategic risk assessment
• Module 2: Horizon scanning, risk drivers and interconnected risks
• Module 3: Causal analysis for strategic risk assessment
• Module 4: Expert judgement: From individual opinion to collective intelligence
• Module 5: Scenario planning and strategic foresight
• Module 6: From assessment to action: Effective communication of risk

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• apply systematic approaches to identifying strategic risks in complex environments
• create comprehensive risk assessments that account for systemic interconnections and cascade effects
• select and implement structured expert elicitation processes to gather and evaluate evidence about emerging risks
• analyse scenarios for long-term risk assessment and strategic planning
• translate risk insights into practical strategies and recommendations
• effectively communicate complex risk assessments to diverse stakeholders.

On successful completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Cambridge and a digital badge to display on your LinkedIn profile. These Cambridge credentials not only showcase your knowledge and expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to professional development – helping future-proof your career.

The course is designed for professionals who find themselves responsible for understanding, assessing or managing strategic risks, whether or not their job title explicitly reflects this role. This includes those tasked with producing risk assessments or reports, compiling risk registers, developing risk prioritisation methods, identifying emerging trends or evaluating expert advice on complex risks. The course is particularly beneficial for professionals who:

• need to make or contribute to long-term strategic decisions
• are responsible for identifying and assessing emerging risks
• must evaluate and act on risk assessments or expert advice
• need to communicate complex risks to diverse stakeholders
• are developing or implementing risk management frameworks.

Our inclusive approach recognises that strategic risk management responsibilities often extend beyond traditional risk management roles, making the course valuable for a broad range of professionals engaged in future-focused decision-making. This includes professionals working in:

• private sector organisations, particularly those adapting to new regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act or developing long-term risk management strategies
• industries grappling with technological change and regulatory compliance, such as banking, manufacturing, IT, healthcare and insurance, all of which face increasing regulatory pressures and emerging risks
• government and policy, including:
  • departments and agencies involved in policy development, technology assessment and national preparedness
  • think tanks and research organisations focused on long-term risks and emerging technologies
  • international organisations engaged in strategic planning and risk assessment and other large public sector organisations.

The course would be particularly valuable for those who have encountered challenges such as reconciling contradictory expert opinions, determining how to prioritise different types of risks or understanding how various risk assessment methodologies derive their conclusions.

Our flexible, online courses – delivered via a world-leading learning platform – reflect the University of Cambridge experience and values, with low learner-to-tutor ratios and academically rigorous standards.

Our online learning model is designed to help you advance your skills and specialise in emerging areas that address real-world challenges. We will help you build your network through an engaging and impactful learning journey that encourages collaboration with academics and fellow learners.

Courses are delivered in weekly modules, allowing you to plan your time effectively around existing commitments. There is an optional weekly live session, which is recorded for anyone who can’t attend. The assessment criteria will be presented to you at the start of the course, so you can approach your studies with confidence and motivation, knowing exactly what’s expected of you and how to meet those expectations.

Throughout your online learning experience with Cambridge Advance Online, you’ll have digital access to a dedicated course tutor, an expert in the field, who will help steer your learning and provide you with support and guidance every step of the way.

While participants should hold a university degree, no specific technical background is required. The course is designed to accommodate professionals from diverse backgrounds, providing additional resources and background materials where needed. The key prerequisite is practical experience with or interest in strategic decision-making and risk assessment, ideally with an interest in emerging technologies.

• No specialist software or equipment needed.
• Sufficient internet speed and stability for video streaming (2 Mbps up/down).
• Please see our recommendations on web browsers (opens in a new tab).
• A level of spoken and written English sufficient to allow you to participate and succeed in the course (we recommend that you have an English Language level equivalent to an IELTS score of 7, as outlined in section 5 of our Terms of Purchase).

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You can ask for support from your employer to fund this learning as part of your professional development.

Our Employer Funding guide has practical tips and templates to help you feel more confident asking for funding.

If your employer is funding your course or programme, we have several payment options available, including bank transfer (BACs), credit or debit card, and PayPal.

You can request a quote or an invoice for your organisation via our online course booking form, which will include a payment date and next steps for completing your payment.