The Artificial Intelligence (AI) specialization prepares you to lead the responsible adoption of AI in modern organizations. The MSIM program approaches AI concepts and skills from a managerial lens, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to succeed in this specialization. 

This specialization equips MSIM students with the skills to evaluate AI systems, design low-code solutions and manage the governance, risk and strategic value of generative AI.

Availability: Residential and online

Skills you will develop 

• Understand opportunities and challenges with generative AI systems and learn how to responsibly use, configure and deploy generative AI.
• Create AI agents and workflows that integrate with business processes.
• Design and implement governance frameworks and policies for responsible AI deployment.
• Calculate and demonstrate return on AI investment and organizational implementations.

Elective courses in the Artificial Intelligence specialization

Starting in autumn 2026, all MSIM students, regardless of modality, will have access to an identical three-course sequence* comprising the AI specialization:

• IMT 521 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence | 4 credits 
  Explores the neural architectures, learning methodologies and computational principles that enable modern AI systems, while critically examining their fundamental capabilities and limitations and potential impact on organizations and an organization's stakeholders. A significant focus is placed on responsible AI frameworks, including ethical considerations, fairness principles and mechanisms for ensuring accountability and transparency.
  • Online availability: Now!
  • Residential availability: Autumn ‘26
• IMT 522: AI Governance and Value Creation: Managing Change, Risk, and Innovation | 4 credits
  Provides theoretical and practical introduction to applying responsible AI frameworks, conducting risk assessments, and designing governance structures that transform regulatory compliance into competitive advantage.
  • Online availability: Autumn ‘26
  • Residential availability: Winter ‘27
• IMT 523 Implementing and Managing Generative Artificial Intelligence Systems | 4 credits 
  Introduces the design and implementation of generative AI systems, including prompt engineering, responsible AI practices, and the design, development and ongoing management of AI based enterprise applications. Explores AI implementation with low- and no-code tools.
  • Online availability: Summer ‘26
  • Residential availability: Winter ‘26  

*All course numbers and titles are subject to change. Publication to the UW course catalog pending.

Online MSIM students will be able to opt into the AI specialization starting in spring 2026; prospective and current online students and applicants can learn more about how to select the AI specialization in our FAQ.

New course offerings in AI will be added as the fast-changing needs of organizations shift and faculty expertise develops; these will generally be made available to residential students as Special Topics & New Courses. Learn more about the core, elective and Capstone/practicum courses in the MSIM curriculum.

AI elective courses for current residential students:

Current residential students have access to an alternative slate of AI-focused electives in the 2025-26 academic year:

• Autumn ‘25
  • IMT 598 Generative Artificial Intelligence Ethics | 4 credits
• Winter ‘26
  • IMT 598 Epistemological Foundations of AI | 3 credits
• Spring ‘26
  • IMT 526 Building and Applying Large Language Models | 4 credits | (IMT 574 is prerequisite)
  • IMT 598 Responsible AI | 3 credits (IMT 572 or IMT 573 is recommended)

View course schedules and explore course descriptions on the Special Topics & New Courses page.

Residential MSIM students who complete any three AI-focused elective courses offered during their time at the Information School will be considered to have completed the specialization. Please focus on the three classes that best meet your goals and interests. You are not required to take all of the AI classes offered to complete the specialization, nor is any specific class required. 

Several of these alternative electives are expected to be offered to residential students again in the future; however, only IMT 526 Building and Applying Large Language Models and IMT 598 Responsible AI will be available in academic year 2026-27. Due to IMT 526’s technical prerequisites, it will be offered as a supplemental course option (residential availability only) within the Data Science specialization and will be taught in spring quarter. 

Career outcomes

Students who specialize in Artificial Intelligence will find roles with titles including AI product manager, AI researcher, data governance analyst, product data analyst and risk and compliance analyst.