Introducing the New AI Track in the MPM Program

Artificial intelligence is changing how projects are planned, managed, and delivered. In response, organizations are looking for leaders who can guide that change responsibly and strategically.

The Master of Project Management program at Wake Forest School of Professional Studies (SPS) is helping prepare professionals to answer that call with a new AI Track, designed specifically for project managers who want to stay ahead of this transformation.

This track bridges two worlds: project management excellence and the practical understanding of AI. The goal isn’t learning how to build algorithms—instead, you’ll learn how to lead teams that use them.

What is the AI Track for Project Managers?

AI is already integrated into the curriculum at Wake Forest SPS with courses such as PMP 734: AI and Data Analytics for Project Management.

>>Meet Ann-Marie Dunphy, one of the professors who built PMP 734

The AI Track is an option for students who need or want to kick their AI expertise up a notch.  It supplements the core project management curriculum with relevant AI technology and knowledge to help PM students successfully integrate AI in their careers.

The Master of Project Management program requires students to complete two electives. On the AI Track, students will fill those two slots from the following list:  

• AIN 712: Strategic Leadership in AI
• AIN 714: Emerging Tools and Technologies in AI
• AIN 722: Ethics and Responsible AI
• AIN 724: AI Implementation Across Industries

The four AI courses were carefully selected by the academic team because they work hand-in-hand with the core curriculum. Together, they give you the frameworks, language, and tools to manage complex, AI-driven projects with confidence.

Each course focuses on a different dimension of AI leadership, from strategy and ethics to practical implementation.

AIN 712: Strategic Leadership in AI

This course helps project managers step into a strategic leadership role—guiding organizations through AI adoption and transformation.

You’ll learn how to:

• Manage change effectively as teams introduce new AI technologies.
• Lead cross-functional teams, including technical and non-technical members, through AI projects.
• Align AI initiatives with broader organizational goals to ensure executive support and ROI.
• Communicate strategically with stakeholders, regulators, and executives about AI adoption and outcomes.

What this means for you: You’ll be ready to lead AI-integrated projects from start to finish.

AIN 714: Emerging Tools and Technologies in AI

AI technology evolves at lightning speed. This course helps project managers make sense of it all by understanding which tools are worth adopting and how to evaluate them for business use.

You’ll explore:

• How to assess and compare AI tools for your projects.
• Vendor selection strategies that balance innovation with practicality.
• The capabilities and limitations of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini.
• Future planning and adaptability, so you can build roadmaps that anticipate change.

What this means for you: You’ll be equipped to evaluate new AI tools, create technology roadmaps, and make informed “build vs. buy” decisions.

AIN 722: Ethics and Responsible AI

AI brings incredible power and serious responsibility. This course ensures project managers know how to identify and mitigate ethical and legal risks from the start.

You’ll learn about:

• Risk management related to data privacy, bias, and security.
• Regulatory compliance, ensuring your projects meet evolving AI standards.
• Building stakeholder trust through transparency and ethical decision-making.
• Practical frameworks for balancing innovation with responsibility.

What this means for you: You’ll gain the ability to build ethical guardrails into your project plans and lead discussions around fairness, bias, and transparency.

AIN 724: AI Implementation Across Industries

Through case studies and real-world examples, this course connects theory to practice. You’ll see how organizations across industries are successfully implementing AI.

You’ll focus on:

• Implementation strategies that work in real organizations.
• Industry-specific challenges and opportunities.
• Risk-benefit analysis for deploying AI tools.
• Innovation and efficiency gains from AI adoption.

What this means for you: You’ll learn to adapt proven AI implementation strategies to your own projects and identify where AI can drive measurable impact.

AI Leadership Meets Project Management Excellence

The AI Track equips you to do more than keep “just keep up” with technology. Instead, you’ll be prepared to lead the teams and strategies that shape it.

Explore the new AI Track in the Master of Project Management at Wake Forest University and prepare to manage the projects—and technologies—of tomorrow.

Learn more about the online Master of Project Management program. Request information today.