Daria Hvizdalova: “Don't be overwhelmed by the AI buzz”

We’re excited to introduce Daria Hvizdalova, the director of NEWTON’s new AI in Business MBA programme, which will be offered in English starting this year. This innovative programme combines the fundamentals of an MBA with a specialisation in AI, providing a comprehensive education designed to prepare managers for the future of AI in business. 

Daria brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in multiple countries across numerous industries. She currently manages the AI skills and education agenda at 42 London, a nonprofit school for upskilling programmers, and has recently completed an executive programme at MIT. In this interview, Daria discusses the programme's structure, its distinctive approach to AI education, and how it will prepare managers to lead AI projects effectively.

Your experience is very diverse, spanning multiple countries and industries. What drew you to AI specifically, and why are you so passionate about sharing that knowledge?

Well, I started working in AI long before it became as popular as it is now. My initial interest was in optimising things. My first practical experience was an internship at McKinsey's Software Development Center, where I worked on a team automating financial analysis. From that moment, I saw AI as a great way to save time and wondered what else could be done this way. 

In terms of why I want to share this knowledge, AI has always had this cycle of hype where things are overpromised and underdelivered, leading to AI winters. With generative AI right now, there's a lot of excitement but also hype. It's easy to create a functional prototype that catches peoples’ attention, but the next step, where you deploy and implement it in a business environment, is challenging. My goal is to enable managers to match business expectations with tech capabilities and go beyond the hype to lead AI projects effectively.

Can you introduce the new MBA AI in Business programme and give an overview of the content and what people will learn?

The programme builds on Newton's extensive expertise in MBA content but adds a specialisation in AI in business. We aim to provide a 360-degree overview of all the building blocks and aspects needed to understand and work with AI technology. We start with an introduction to machine learning, allowing managers to create their own neural networks without programming. We then cover AI business analysis, focusing on problem-driven solutions rather than technology-driven ones. This helps students decide where and when AI is the best solution.

We also cover AI lifecycle project management, practical deployment challenges, data ethics, and future trends. The programme includes a module on tech communication to help students pitch AI projects effectively, practical AI tools for personal productivity, and ends with a mini hackathon where students will apply what they've learned in a real-world context. 
The programme is hybrid and in English, allowing participation from across the Central European region. It combines online and in-person elements, making it feasible for working professionals.

What sets this programme apart from other AI education courses? 

AI has evolved from being an isolated technical area into something that presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses. Unfortunately, education hasn’t kept up with this shift. There’s a lack of holistic education on the topic—most courses either require extensive backgrounds or offer a brief motivational overview, often downplaying the need for coding skills. My aim is to help managers align business expectations with actual tech capabilities, go beyond the hype, and be prepared to lead AI projects effectively. 

Who is this program designed for? Are there specific backgrounds or professional experiences that would benefit most?

The program is ideal for professionals with at least three years of experience. This includes project managers, product managers, and those looking to integrate AI into their company's business processes. It's also useful for SMEs and startups planning to build their business around AI.

How do you ensure the curriculum remains current and relevant, given the rapid developments in AI?

The curriculum is dynamic and not set in stone. We focus on principles that remain relevant over time. My professional experience, network, and passion for the field help me track trends and incorporate them into the course. For example, I manage the AI skills and education agenda at 42 London, a nonprofit school for upskilling programmers. We collaborate with Anthropic, a company similar to OpenAI but more ethical and suitable for educational applications. This partnership is one of many channels through which I gain practical insights. I also consult for various companies on integrating GenAI into their businesses. Recently, I completed an IT systems engineering executive programme at MIT, which provided valuable insights. This year, I also spoke at the GenAI Practitioners Panel, which gave me a broad perspective as well as new insights to incorporate into the course.

How does the program address the ethical considerations and challenges associated with deploying AI in business?

Ethical considerations are covered in the legal part of the course, with a focus on the European Union’s AI Act. We also discuss future trends and the importance of considering ethics throughout the AI project lifecycle. The majority of ethical considerations are more relevant to people working on the technical side, but it’s still important that students are aware of these issues.

The programme has a really varied group of lecturers, with backgrounds in both academia and industry. How did you choose people to teach on the MBA?

It starts with the content. We identified the key subjects needed for the programme and then found the best-fit lecturers for each topic. The focus is on bringing practical experience and relevant expertise to the course.

What advice would you give to potential students considering applying to the program?

Don't be overwhelmed by the AI buzz. Consider this program as a curated anchor to get a better understanding of AI in business. It’s suitable for non-technical people looking to bridge the gap between technology and business, and ultimately build a career in a field that will grow in importance.

Of the many books on AI released in the past couple of years, is there one in particular you'd recommend?

For beginners, I recommend ‘Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI’ by Ethan Mollick. It provides a comprehensive introduction to AI with practical examples for business. It's well-written and easy to understand.

Finally, is there anything I haven't asked that you would like to share with our readers?

I’m excited that the programme is in English and taught in a hybrid format, as it will help to attract a diverse group of students. By bringing together managers with diverse backgrounds, we can highlight the transferability of AI skills—Students will get to see how AI projects can be implemented in logistics companies in Poland, medical companies in the Czech Republic, and in both small companies and large corporations.

Related to this, I think one of the key things that students will get from the course is a community of practice and shared learnings that they can turn to throughout their careers, which will be really valuable given how fast the technology is developing.