ANS Academy launches AI leadership apprenticeship programme

ANS Academy has launched an artificial intelligence (AI) leadership apprenticeship unit aimed at helping managers and senior leaders develop the skills needed to guide AI adoption within their organisations.

The Level 5 AI Leadership Strategy unit, launched in July, is an eight-week programme designed for senior leaders, managers and aspiring leaders responsible for shaping AI strategy, influencing investment decisions, managing risk or leading organisational change.

As part of the programme, learners take an AI opportunity relevant to their workplace and develop it into a business case, considering potential benefits, costs, feasibility and measurable outcomes.

The course also covers areas including governance, security, auditability, stakeholder engagement and the potential impact of AI adoption on the workforce.

Participants currently include directors of people, operations managers, heads of internal communications and engagement, heads of pre-sales, directors of research and development and customer success, and heads of compliance and information security.

The programme has attracted greater demand than initially anticipated. ANS Academy originally planned to run two cohorts supporting around 30 learners during 2026, but has expanded this to six cohorts, with 71 potential learners currently in its pipeline.

Interest has come from organisations across technology, housing, local government, data centres, fintech and financial services.

Toria Walters, chief people officer at ANS, said: “What we’re seeing is that AI leadership is no longer something that sits solely with technology teams.