ASU launches AI grad program in LA

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries worldwide, students are seeking programs that blend technological expertise with business insight.

To meet this growing demand, the Arizona State University W. P. Carey School of Business is expanding its Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business (MS-AIB) program to Los Angeles.

A STEM-designated program, the MS-AIB integrates technology with business through an applied curriculum and career coaching designed to prepare students for emerging roles across industries. By offering the program in Los Angeles, W. P. Carey gives students unique access to Southern California's technology, entertainment and renewable energy industries.

"Beyond the classroom, students will have the opportunity to build and expand their personal and professional networks within the vibrant LA metropolitan area — one of the most dynamic innovation hubs in the world," says Associate Professor of Information Systems Sang-Pil Han, senior faculty director of the Master of Science in Information Systems Management (MS-ISM) program and co-faculty director of the MS-AIB program alongside Dan Mazzola, clinical professor and assistant chair of information systems.

Han notes that industry partners for the MS-AIB capstone project will be locally sourced, giving students real-world experience in industries where AI is rapidly transforming business — including film and content creation, marketing, health care, biosciences, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

Students interested in deepening their expertise can opt into a third-semester custom track, extending the standard nine-month program. To ensure consistent academic quality and rigor, students will learn from the same W. P. Carey faculty who teach on the ASU Tempe campus.

Nora Mawashi ('25 MS-AIB), a graduate of the Tempe-based program, found the program's collaborative learning environment and opportunities to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and industries especially valuable.

"Picture a classroom where a former tech startup founder, a lawyer and a financial analyst collaborate to solve real-world AI challenges,” says Mawashi. “This diversity enriches every class, making each learning experience truly transformative."

Regardless of how students plan on advancing their careers, the MS-AIB LA program will prepare them to implement AI mindfully and ethically, solving pressing business challenges while leading cross-functional conversations about its impact.

"If you want to pursue a career in the industries that Los Angeles does best," says Han, "this program is the right one for you."