UCI Program to Forge AI-Savvy Human Resources Leaders

IRVINE, CA – May 20, 2026 – As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the corporate landscape, UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business has announced a strategic partnership with HR innovator Konnect to launch a new executive certification program, “The Future of HR: AI Strategy & Leadership.” The initiative aims to equip senior human resources leaders with the strategic acumen to guide their organizations through the complexities of AI integration, moving beyond mere adoption to thoughtful architectural design.

The program arrives at a critical juncture. Industry analysis indicates that while HR technology is a top investment priority, many executives feel they are not maximizing the value of these tools. This new certification is designed to bridge that gap, preparing Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs), HR executives, and senior people leaders to spearhead AI transformation in a way that generates tangible business value while preserving the human element of the workplace.

“The intersection of AI and human capital is one of the most consequential leadership challenges of our time,” said Ian O. Williamson, Dean of the Merage School. “The future of work demands leaders who can think strategically about AI. Not just adopt it, but architect it in ways that strengthen organizations and the people within them.”

Addressing a Critical Leadership Deficit

The demand for AI-fluent leadership is surging across industries. Recent market studies project that by 2026, nearly three-quarters of global executives will be required to demonstrate “AI literacy” for board-level consideration, yet current data suggests fewer than 15% feel adequately prepared for this new reality. This gap highlights a significant vulnerability for organizations seeking to remain competitive.

The new UC Irvine program is positioned as a direct response to this deficit. It focuses on transforming HR leaders from functional managers of technology into strategic partners who can influence enterprise-wide AI policy. The curriculum is designed to address the entire employee lifecycle, from how AI is reshaping talent acquisition and performance management to its impact on organizational design and the daily employee experience.

This focus is crucial as many organizations grapple with the disconnect between executive optimism about AI and the readiness of their workforce. The program aims to provide leaders with the frameworks to not only implement AI systems but also to manage the profound organizational change that accompanies them, ensuring that employees are supported and engaged throughout the transition.

A New Blueprint for Executive Education

To tackle this multifaceted challenge, the program utilizes a collaborative model that is becoming a new standard in cutting-edge executive education: a deep alliance between academia and industry. The course was co-developed by esteemed Merage School faculty and seasoned HR practitioners from Konnect, blending rigorous academic theory with applied, real-world expertise.

Noah Askin, associate professor and faculty director of the Leadership Development Institute, emphasized the unique nature of this approach. “We’re not just teaching HR leaders about AI. We’re helping them develop the organizational fluency to lead transformation from the inside out,” Askin stated. “The combination of rigorous academic thinking and genuine practitioner expertise is what makes this program distinctive.”

This partnership model sets the program apart in a competitive landscape. While other top-tier business schools like Harvard and Stanford offer broad AI leadership courses, the UC Irvine-Konnect initiative is distinguished by its specific focus on the unique challenges faced by senior HR executives. For Konnect, a firm built on modernizing HR, the collaboration was a natural fit.

“UC Irvine’s reputation for innovation and forward-thinking business strategy made this the ideal partnership to help shape the future of HR leadership,” said Jamie Viramontes, founder and CEO of Konnect. “Together, we’re helping HR executives build the confidence, strategic insight, and practical capabilities needed to lead AI transformation in ways that strengthen both business outcomes and employee experience.”

Balancing High-Tech with the Human Touch

A central theme of the certification is navigating the dual mandate of modern HR: driving efficiency through technology while simultaneously enhancing the employee experience. The program directly confronts the ethical and practical challenges of AI, including algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the risk of dehumanizing workplace interactions. Konnect's philosophy of “Keeping HR Human™” is woven into the curriculum's fabric.

Participants will engage in practitioner-led simulations focused on AI implementation and organizational change, allowing them to workshop solutions to complex, real-world scenarios in a controlled environment. The learning outcomes promise more than just technical knowledge; they aim to provide actionable frameworks for workforce transformation, data-driven decision-making, and fostering a culture that embraces human-AI collaboration effectively and ethically.

The program runs from July 17 through September 3, 2026, in a blended format that combines weekly virtual sessions with a final in-person session on the UC Irvine campus. Tuition for the certification is set at $4,800. This structure is designed to accommodate the demanding schedules of senior executives while providing the high-touch, networked environment essential for leadership development. By equipping leaders with these forward-looking capabilities, the program seeks to ensure that the ongoing AI revolution is shaped by strategic human oversight.