Level 5 apprenticeship unit · AU0009
AI Leadership: AI Strategy & Opportunity
Know where AI is worth using before you commit time, money or risk.
A short, practical Level 5 unit for senior non-technical leaders. Learn to identify realistic AI opportunities, test whether they’re viable in your organisation, weigh the risks properly, and turn your thinking into a clear strategy others can understand.
*Funding may be available, subject to employer and learner eligibility. We’ll confirm your position before any commitment.
30 Hours
Guided Learning
Fully Funded*
.
Level 5
Unit
Applied
Assessment
Overview
AI is now part of serious business planning. Senior leaders are being asked to approve tools, set direction, manage risk and explain the organisation’s position on AI — often before they have a clear way to judge what is useful, safe or worth the investment.
This short, practical Level 5 unit is designed for senior non-technical leaders who need to make better decisions about AI. You’ll learn how to identify realistic AI opportunities, test whether they’re viable in your organisation, weigh the risks properly, and turn your thinking into a clear strategy others can understand.
This isn’t a coding or engineering course. The aim is to help you make better decisions about AI before your organisation commits to them.
The problem this unit solves
AI is on the agenda in many organisations, but senior leaders are often left with unclear advice. Vendors promise major gains. Staff may already be using AI tools. Competitors are talking about adoption. Boards want a position. The difficult part is knowing what to do next.
You may need to answer questions such as:
Most AI training doesn’t help with these decisions — it’s either too technical, aimed at developers, or too general, leaving you with big ideas but no practical way to decide. This unit focuses on leadership judgement: clearer, more defensible decisions about where AI fits, where it doesn’t, and what needs to happen first.
What you’ll be able to do
By the end of the unit, you’ll be better able to:
The aim is not to teach you how to build AI systems.
The aim is to help you make better decisions about AI before your organisation commits to them.
What the unit covers
The unit is organised around practical leadership decisions, not technical theory.
01
Understanding AI in plain English
Build enough AI literacy to judge claims confidently — what current tools can and can’t do, where they fail, and why human judgement is still needed. Viewed from a leadership angle: value, risk, accountability, workforce impact and readiness.
02
Finding useful AI opportunities
Look at where AI could realistically support services, internal processes, customer experience, decision support, administration, reporting or knowledge work — identifying opportunities with a clear purpose, not chasing AI because it’s fashionable.
03
Testing whether an AI idea is viable
Pressure-test an opportunity before time and money are committed, weighing business value, data readiness, process maturity, staff capability, cost and effort, and the level of risk involved. Where it helps, test feasibility with a small pilot before going further. The goal is to rule out weak ideas early — and to know which ones are worth taking forward into procurement.
04
Building a clear AI strategy
Develop a short, practical strategy that fits your goals, values and risk appetite — making clear where AI may be useful, what to prioritise, what not to pursue yet, what risks to manage, and what happens next. A clear direction that guides real decisions, not a long document that sits unread.
05
Managing risk and responsibility
Consider the risks that come with AI adoption, including poor or inaccurate output, bias, data protection, information security, unclear accountability, workforce impact, over-reliance on automation, and supplier or procurement risk. You’ll also consider what oversight is needed so AI is used responsibly.
06
Bringing people with you
AI strategy does not work if it is only understood by a small group.
You will look at how to explain AI decisions clearly to different stakeholders, including senior teams, managers, staff and non-technical colleagues.
You will also consider how to build support, handle concerns and avoid creating unnecessary resistance.
Who this unit is for
For senior staff who make or influence AI decisions, without needing to become technical specialists. You don’t need to be on the board — you do need to be someone whose judgement on AI matters.
Set the direction, approve investment and explain the organisation’s AI position clearly.
Understand where AI may improve operations, workflows, services or internal processes.
Judge whether AI has a useful role in their area, and what would need to change for it to work.
Shape an AI strategy or turn early AI interest into a practical plan.
For leaders thinking about workforce impact, skills gaps, role change and how staff will need to be supported.
For people who need to understand the risks early, before AI decisions become difficult to control.
How it’s delivered
Designed for busy senior staff and delivered online, structured around practical workplace tasks. The structure is flexible and suited to those attending each cohort. The work is linked to your own organisation, so you apply the learning to real decisions, risks and opportunities — not generic examples.
PRACTICAL WORKPLACE OUTPUTS YOU MAY PRODUCE
Assessment
Learners complete a practical skills test linked to the knowledge and skills covered in the unit. Employer involvement may be required to confirm that the learning has been applied in the workplace.
Funding & eligibility
Funding may be available for eligible employers and learners, subject to current rules. Depending on circumstances, the unit may be funded through the relevant apprenticeship funding route. Global Skills can discuss eligibility, explain the enrolment process, and set out what’s needed before a learner starts. Funding should always be checked before any commitment is made.
INDICATIVE FUNDING INFORMATION
Entry requirements
– Must be employed
– Aged 19+
– Working in a leadership, management or specialist role where you influence AI-related decisions
This unit is aimed at people who influence decisions across strategy, investment, operations, risk, governance, procurement, workforce planning, transformation or digital change. No coding, data science or prior AI knowledge is required.
Why choose Global Skills Training Ltd
Progression
AU0009 is one of three AI Leadership units. Take it on its own, or combine it with the others as part of a wider pathway. Many learners start with AU0009 because it focuses on direction and decision-making before procurement or delivery.
AU0009
AI Strategy & Opportunity *THIS UNIT
Identify where AI is worth pursuing and set a clear direction.
AI Adoption, Procurement & Governance
Assess, select and govern AI tools responsibly.
AI Delivery & Organisational Transformation
Plan and manage AI-enabled change across the organisation.
FAQs
Ready to apply?
Tell us about your organisation, your role and the AI decisions you’re facing. We’ll help you check whether AU0009 is the right starting point — and whether funding may be available, subject to eligibility.