AI leadership: How UFred is preparing Canada’s business leaders

Why AI makes business education more relevant than ever

The growing availability of information thanks to artificial intelligence does not eliminate the need for education. It changes what leaders do with that information.

Executives need enough AI literacy to understand its capabilities and limitations, ask informed questions and remain accountable for its use. They must be able to recognize incomplete answers, challenge assumptions and weigh competing business, ethical and human considerations. Higher education helps with all of these cognitive functions.

Communication and emotional intelligence are equally important. Leaders must establish expectations and guide employees through changes to their work.

“The goal is not to produce leaders who simply know how to use AI tools,” says Dr. Khaliq. “It is to prepare leaders who can work with AI thoughtfully and strategically to guide change responsibly.”

Managing AI's contribution to work and study

One exercise asks MBA and Executive MBA students to approach an AI platform such as ChatGPT or Claude as a team member. Acting as the leader, the student decides which tasks to delegate, what information to provide and how the output should be reviewed and actioned.

The exercise does not end when the tool produces an answer. They must verify its claims against credible sources, identify errors and determine whether the work meets the standards established for it.

The focus shifts from prompting a tool to managing its contribution. Students define the task, set expectations and remain accountable for whether the result is suitable for its intended use.

“This is not about replacing people,” says Dr. Khaliq. “It is about knowing when to use AI and when to challenge it.”

After all, AI fluency and human leadership are not competing skills. As AI technology becomes more capable, the ability to connect it with people, strategy and organizational goals becomes more consequential.

“Future executives will need more than technical fluency to be successful,” says Dr. Khaliq. “In the AI era, the strongest executives will be the ones who combine AI fluency with strong human leadership.”

Putting AI leadership into practice

UFred alumni are bringing different perspectives about how leaders should approach artificial intelligence, including what education is required to use it well.

Sam Chung (MBA ’22) sees the rise of AI as a reason to strengthen education rather than question its value. “I don’t think AI reduces the value of education,” he says. “In many ways, I think it makes education even more important.”

Ashveen Soochit (MBA ’25) sees the potential of AI to support decision-making, but he believes leaders must recognize what technology cannot contribute. “There will still be a lack of lived experience and ethical responsibility,” he says. “This is where human touch will be required.”

Daphne Thomson (MBA ’26) helps local governments across Canada adopt AI responsibly, finding practical applications that can turn hours of administrative work into minutes. “People don’t need another presentation about what AI is,” she says. “They want to know how it helps them do tomorrow’s work better.”

Together, their stories show that AI leadership extends beyond individual productivity. It requires leaders who can make educated decisions about how technology contributes to an organization.

Building AI literacy across UFred business programs

The business programs at the University of Fredericton teach students how to evaluate the role of AI in a wider context. AI literacy is woven throughout the MBA, Executive MBA and Accelerated MBA for Business Graduates experience at UFred. Graduate-level students explore the implications of AI for ethics, governance, analytics and digital transformation through a leadership lens.

UFred also offers an Artificial Intelligence Leadership specialty stream for MBA, Executive MBA and Master's Certificate students. Coursework covers AI fundamentals, ethics, governance, infrastructure, project management and policy. Students examine what AI can do, what it should do and how to manage it responsibly inside an organization.

The enduring value of educated leadership

AI will continue to change how organizations operate. Its rapid advancement will create decisions that cannot be delegated to technology. This is where higher education retains, and may deepen, its relevance.

“The question is no longer, ‘How do we stop students from using AI?’ It is, ‘How do we teach students to use it critically and professionally?’” says Dr. Khaliq.

Business education gives current and emerging leaders room to examine evidence, encounter different perspectives and practice responsible decision-making with regard to artificial intelligence.

As AI becomes more embedded in business, leaders will need to understand not only how to use it, but how to lead with it. UFred is preparing them to guide organizations where people and technology work well together.