Program Overview
The Executive Leadership Program in Frontier AI and Advanced Technologies is a five-day interdisciplinary program at Columbia University designed for senior executives, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers seeking to understand and capitalize on rapidly advancing technologies.
The program uniquely integrates frontier technologies, business applications, and geopolitical strategy, providing participants with a comprehensive perspective on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of industries and global business.
Bringing together distinguished Columbia faculty and industry expertise, the program explores frontier artificial intelligence, agentic AI, robotics, advanced manufacturing, quantitative finance, digital assets, trustworthy digital systems, and global technology competition.
Through faculty-led discussions, real-world examples, and industry visits, participants will gain insights into emerging technological capabilities, their business implications, and the strategic opportunities and risks they present.
Beyond the classroom, the program also provides a foundation for continued academia–industry engagement, encouraging participants to explore opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation, and potential collaboration with Columbia's research and industry ecosystem.
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for senior professionals and decision-makers across industries who seek to understand emerging technologies and their implications for business strategy, innovation, and competitiveness.
- Senior Executives and Business Leaders responsible for corporate strategy, growth, and organizational transformation.
- Technology and Innovation Leaders exploring frontier AI, advanced technologies, and their enterprise applications.
- Entrepreneurs and Business Founders seeking opportunities to develop and scale technology-driven businesses.
- Financial and Investment Professionals evaluating AI-driven financial innovation, digital assets, and emerging technology investments.
- International Business and Strategy Leaders navigating global technology competition, geopolitical uncertainty, and cross-border opportunities.
What You Will Learn
By the end of the program, participants will be better equipped to:
- Understand Frontier AI and Agentic Systems — Explore advances in generative AI, intelligent agents, and emerging AI applications, and assess their implications for business operations and decision-making.
- Explore Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing — Understand developments in intelligent robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing, and identify opportunities for innovation and industrial transformation.
- Evaluate AI-Driven Finance and Digital Technologies — Gain insights into quantitative finance, AI applications in financial markets, Web3, and digital assets.
- Understand Trustworthy and Secure Digital Systems — Examine the importance of cybersecurity, formal verification, and trust in emerging digital technologies and decentralized systems.
- Navigate Global Technology Competition and Geopolitical Risks — Assess the implications of U.S.–China relations, regulatory developments, and international technology competition for business and investment strategies.
- Connect Emerging Technologies with Business Opportunities — Integrate insights from Columbia faculty and industry visits to identify strategic opportunities, assess risks, and inform technology adoption and innovation decisions.
Columbia Faculty
The program brings together distinguished faculty from Columbia University and affiliated institutions, representing expertise in artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, financial technology, cybersecurity, international relations, and technology policy.
Proposed faculty and lecture topics — subject to confirmation.
David D. Yao — Faculty Advisor
Piyasombatkul Family Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Columbia University. Professor Yao is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of IEEE and INFORMS. His research spans operations research, stochastic systems, financial engineering, and emerging financial technologies.
Garud Iyengar
Professor, Columbia University; Data Science Institute. A leader in data science, optimization, and decision-making under uncertainty, Professor Iyengar works at the intersection of AI, analytics, and real-world applications.
Tentative lecture: Frontier AI Applications: Insights from Columbia's Data Science Institute
Thomas J. Christensen
James T. Shotwell Professor of International Relations, Columbia SIPA. Professor Christensen is an expert in U.S.–China relations, East Asian security, and international strategy. He previously served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
Tentative lecture: U.S.–China Relations: Strategic Risks and Global Implications
Xiaobo Lü
Ann Whitney Olin Professor of Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University. Professor Lü specializes in Chinese politics, political economy, regulatory reform, and government–business relations. He was the founding director of Columbia Global Centers–East Asia in Beijing.
Tentative lecture: U.S.–China Relations and the Impact on Technology Competition
Hod Lipson
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Data Science, Columbia University. Professor Lipson directs Columbia's Creative Machines Lab and is internationally recognized for pioneering research in robotics, self-aware machines, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing.
Tentative lecture: AI and Robotics / Beyond Manufacturing 4.0: The Strategic Impact of 3D Printing
Ali Hirsa
Professor of Professional Practice, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Columbia University. Professor Hirsa directs Columbia's Financial Engineering Program and Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business Analytics and Financial Technology. His expertise spans quantitative finance, computational methods, and AI applications in financial markets.
Tentative lecture: AI and Quantitative Finance
Agostino Capponi
Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Columbia University. Professor Capponi is the founding director of Columbia's Center for Digital Finance and Technology. His research covers financial technology, machine learning, digital assets, and financial networks.
Tentative lecture: Digital Future of Financial Services
Zhou (Jo) Yu
Associate Professor of Computer Science, Columbia University. Professor Yu specializes in conversational and generative AI, intelligent interactive systems, and human–AI interaction. She is a co-founder of Articulate AI and has developed widely used conversational AI technologies.
Tentative lecture: Agentic AI and Intelligent Interactive Systems
Ronghui Gu
Tang Family Associate Professor of Computer Science, Columbia University. Professor Gu is a leading researcher in formally verified systems software and secure computing. He co-founded CertiK, a company focused on security and verification for blockchain ecosystems.
Tentative lecture: Trustworthy Digital Systems and Blockchain Security
Grace Lin, Ph.D. — Program Lead
Director of Executive Education and Industry Relations & Adjunct Full Professor, Columbia University IEOR. An INFORMS Fellow and former IBM Distinguished Engineer, Dr. Lin brings extensive experience in AI, industry transformation, technology innovation, and academia–industry collaboration.
Registration and Group Enrollment
Program Dates: November 9–13, 2026
Location: Columbia University, New York City
Program Fee: $12,800 per participant
Registration: For registration information and enrollment inquiries, please contact [email protected].
Group Enrollment & Special Registration Rate: Group enrollment is welcome, with discounted rates available for qualifying groups. Please contact us for group enrollment arrangements and pricing. Special registration rates may also be available for Columbia University alumni and qualifying participants.
Group Registration and Payment: Group registration and full payment must be completed by October 19, 2026.
Individual Registration and Payment: Individual registration and full payment must be completed by November 2, 2026.
Cancellation Policy: All registrations are non-refundable, except if the program is canceled by Columbia University, in which case program fees paid will be refunded.
Program Confirmation: The program is subject to minimum enrollment requirements. Columbia University will confirm by October 26, 2026, whether the program will proceed. If the program is canceled, all registration fees paid will be refunded.
Program Disclaimer: Faculty, speakers, lecture topics, company visits, and the program schedule are subject to final confirmation and may change. Columbia University reserves the right to modify program content, arrangements, or scheduling as necessary.
