‘Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment’ Enrollment Surpasses 50K

In less than a year, an initiative of the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business to bolster AI literacy and support career transitions has drawn more than 50,000 learners worldwide.

Smith launched the free online Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment program in May 2025 to help federal civil service professionals build confidence in AI, explore new roles in the private sector, and navigate career transitions with expert guidance. Facilitated by Smith’s Office of Executive Education, the program has outgrown its original audience, serving professionals globally who seek to understand how AI is reshaping business and the workforce.

Balaji Padmanabhan, director of Smith’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business and associate dean of strategic initiatives, spearheaded the design of the program’s 10 self‑paced modules, each taught by leading Smith faculty. Topics range from AI fundamentals and organizational transformation to industry applications in marketing, supply chain and financial services. Additional modules focus on career empowerment, negotiation, entrepreneurship and job searching in the age of AI.

Padmanabhan notes, “On the very day the program reached this milestone, the Smith School received a long testimonial from a well-wisher, noting how a specific individual who had been searching for employment for months was able to find one soon after completing the AI Certificate program.” 

This message – beyond the milestone itself, Padmanabhan adds, reflects the course’s true real-world impact. “When we launched in May of last year, we were asked on one of DC’s morning radio shows how we would measure ‘impact,’” he says. “I recall saying that it wasn’t just about the number of people who took this, but really about how our content can shape careers, and that if even one person’s life was positively changed by this program, it would be worth our time.” 

He adds, “While we don’t have an exact number to illustrate such impact, the emails and notes we continue to receive suggest a significant group of people whose lives are truly better because of this collective effort by a team of over 20 faculty and staff at the Smith School. This is why we show up at work every day.”

In addition to Padmanabhan (Decision, Operations and Information Technologies), the program’s instructors represent various units at Smith including, Vijaya Venkatramani (Management and Organization), Rellie Rozin (Management and Organization), Anil Gupta (Management and Organization), Margret Bjarnadottir (Decision, Operations and Information Technologies), Oliver Schlake (Management and Organization), Suresh Acharya (Decision, Operations and Information Technologies), Humberto Coronado (Logistics, Business and Public Policy), Bobby Zhou (Marketing), Yogesh Joshi (Marketing), Tania Babina (Finance) and Kim DeGross (Career Services/Assistant Dean for Strategic Relations).

Smith School Dean Prabhudev Konana emphasizes that the Smith School is about impact. “Our world-class faculty create high-impact content that builds AI fluency, strengthens employability, and drives economic growth in Maryland and the region,” he says. “As part of a ‘Do Good Campus,’ we are deeply committed to serving our community and preparing a future-ready workforce. While this milestone reflects our growing leadership in AI, the best is yet to come. We are not ‘AI-First,’ but ‘Human-First’ because AI is about amplifying human ingenuity.”

For enrollment and additional program information, go to the Free Online Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment homepage. For questions or registration assistance, participants may email rhsmith-execed@umd.edu.