Embedded in the Swiss tech and innovation ecosystem
We teach leadership in a world where AI is here to stay.
And we do it with a leadership programme that teaches the federal competencies at leadership level.
The ability to introduce, manage and take responsibility for AI in organisations is becoming the core competence of modern leadership. Those who master it set the direction. Those who ignore it must accept the consequences. We train people who choose the former.
The ATLASS AI Business Coaching supports you live and individually through real decisions and challenges in an AI project. Since 2023. Over 1,000 evaluated business tasks. Built on cutting-edge LLMs and current AI tools. Those who succeed here, succeed in the boardroom.
In 12 weeks to the SAQ certificate 'AI Business Expert' – the qualification for senior professionals who lead and take responsibility for AI projects. If you also want the Swiss Federal Diploma 'AI Business Specialist, Professional Bachelor', use the add-on: preparation as additional self-learning with basic tech training is part of the programme.
Continuing or formal education: two tracks, clearly explained.
Switzerland has two parallel education tracks: formal education with the Swiss Federal Diploma 'AI Business Specialist', a state qualification for people after an apprenticeship or Matura, and continuing education, which builds on an existing tertiary degree. This is where the AI Business Expert (SAQ) comes in.
| Criterion | AI Business Expert (SAQ) | Swiss Federal Diploma AI Business Specialist |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Continuing education on top of an existing degree | Formal qualification: Professional Bachelor (NQF 6) |
| Typical profile | Tertiary degree, master's/PhD, senior experience | Apprenticeship or Matura plus work experience |
| Role | Leading and taking responsibility for AI projects | Contributing to AI projects |
| Admission | Tertiary degree, at least 4 years of project experience, assessment call | ICT Federal VET Diploma (EFZ) + 2 years' practice, or EFZ/Matura + 4 years' practice (2 of them specific) |
| Examination | SAQ, leadership level | ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz |
Sources: WeBiG Art. 3; SERI, fact sheet on the Continuing Education Act; ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz; SDBB, INFObildung&beruf AI Business Specialist (BP); SERI, Professional Bachelor
The 28 federal competencies are taught at leadership level – and explored from your own professional perspective. AI strategy, governance, change management, business cases. Not taught by academics, but by entrepreneurs who tackle these challenges every day.
Upon completion, you'll be able to present an AI roadmap to your management board, calculate a business case, propose a governance framework and steer an AI project from idea to go-live.
The core of the programme is 22 live sessions across 12 weeks: on-site days at Launchspace Zurich and online live sessions in the evening. Taught by founders, C-level leaders and subject-matter experts — in dialogue with your cohort, not as pre-recorded video.
On request, you work on your own case with the ATLASS AI Business Coaching – a real decision from your organisation.
Complementing this, the self-learning deepens what you work through in the live sessions – curated, tailored to your leadership challenge and flexible to your own pace.
The AIBS platform you learn on runs on the latest AI technology itself. So from the very first day you work with what others are still only talking about. And you see the technology move forward almost daily – and the platform with it. On top of that you get curated news from tech and AI every week throughout the programme, plus a clear read on which tool actually helps you with what.
You study alongside highly qualified professionals and entrepreneurs. You learn from their experience, their mindset, their vision. This dynamic only emerges among equals.
Over 700 alumni have come through the Graduate School since 2023. From your first day, you're part of this network: exclusive events, networking occasions and genuine exchange among like-minded professionals. Not just a network. A connection that lasts.
The leadership programme is deliberately aimed at senior professionals with project experience who are deciding today to lead their organisation's AI transformation tomorrow.
Who see AI as a strategic leadership challenge and want to steer their organisation confidently through the transformation.
Who want to take the next career step with a recognised AI leadership qualification.
Who want to combine technical expertise with business know-how and leadership skills, growing into hybrid roles.
Who want to take their project experience in a new direction and leave the programme with a clear profile and a recognised qualification.
Who want to grow from project work into leadership responsibility, with the SAQ certificate AI Business Expert – and optionally the Swiss Federal Diploma.
Who are moving into a new industry or role and need a fast, thorough AI leadership update.
Why no IT background needed?
This programme doesn't teach you to code. It teaches you to deploy AI strategically, lead teams and manage projects. All relevant AI tools are introduced and classified step by step: what each tool is useful for right now, and which competency and use case it fits. You'll learn to make better decisions with the leading models, calculate business cases and set up governance frameworks.
Why project experience?
We deliberately address senior professionals who have already worked on projects. In the programme, you steer the development and rollout of AI solutions, from concept to go-live. Experience with implementations and rollouts is an excellent foundation for this, whether you led such projects or contributed to them.
The programme is structured into five sequential phases.
All 28 competencies in just 12 weeks. Hands-on, from your professional perspective. Taught live: on-site days at Launchspace Zurich and online live sessions in the evening. With the ATLASS AI Business Coaching at its core – on your own case if you wish – and pitch training.
28 competencies in 12 weeks. Live at the Launchspace and online, plus ATLASS AI Business Coaching and pitch training.
Directly upon course completion, you sit the SAQ examination and receive the recognised 'AI Business Expert' certificate, issued by the Swiss Association for Quality. Examination fee included in the programme price.
100 per cent pass rate across the GAT 2026 cohorts.
SAQ certificate 'AI Business Expert' directly upon course completion. 100% pass rate 2026.
Deepening of the competencies alongside the course, tailored to your personal leadership challenge. Thematic deep dives, latest tools and AI-powered learning formats.
Deepening of the competencies, alongside the course.
Preparation for the Swiss Federal Diploma runs through additional self-learning including basic tech training and the ATLASS Decision Arena, where you play through all three examination parts live. Included in the programme fee.
Self-learning incl. basic tech training plus the ATLASS Decision Arena with all three exam parts live. Included.
The federal professional examination completes the path to the 'AI Business Specialist' diploma. Not included in the programme fee.
Allow around 8 additional weeks, alongside your job, for the project work (examination part 1) and exam preparation. When you sit the examination, the government reimburses 50% of eligible course fees.
Optional: federal examination autumn 2027, around 8 extra weeks. 50% federal subsidy when you sit the exam.
Current course dates, languages and further information can be found directly on the Campus of the Graduate School of Applied Technology & Management.
The most ambitious on-the-job leadership programme in Switzerland.
In just 12 weeks.
22 live sessions across 12 weeks · Plus pitch training
The first cohorts of the AI Business Specialist have completed the leadership programme. Their feedback is the most reliable indicator of what awaits you. Quotes translated from German.
Watch the feedback video“Sensational structure, wonderful lecturers – genuinely exciting content and top-quality delivery. Plus enormous flexibility in the course: whenever something didn't quite go to plan, high-quality alternatives were arranged immediately. Simply perfect. I felt entirely at home and can only recommend the course.”
“Thank you so much – it was even better than I ever imagined. Brutally practice-oriented, plenty of inspiration, great teachers and a superb network. Now it's simply a matter of putting it into practice. Really cool!”
“The perfect complement to my xMBA! The AI Business Specialist provides a valuable framework, especially for the corporate world – how to work with AI, create value and talk to management and IT as an equal. Lively lecturers, enormous knowledge, the time flies by. Absolutely recommended!”
“What can I say? There used to be a TV host who would leap up and shout: 'That was terrific!' – I won't do that, but the course was extremely good. Plenty of simulations, AI always at the centre – not just hacks and tricks, but the tactics behind them. You learn to work with AI and to go through the entire process together with it as a co-pilot. Outstanding – keep it up!”
“Intensive and highly engaging weeks with great lecturers and wonderful fellow participants. We ran a complete business case end to end – from use case identification through prioritisation, calculation and analysis to governance and board preparation. A truly great experience – many thanks to everyone!”
“Really intensive, really hands-on and superbly organised. The programme genuinely moved me forward, and Martin's preparation for the federal examination was once again outstanding. Absolutely recommended!”
“The course is very engaging – a lot of material, but thoroughly practical. Top-calibre lecturers who really work in the field and enrich the material with examples from everyday practice. You go home each time with a full backpack – and always with brand-new insights on AI.”
“Crazily engaging and a real challenge – but worth it every single day. Definitely do it!”
“The xMBA brought me into the present, the AI Business Specialist makes me fit for the future. The perfect next step!”
“Sensational structure, wonderful lecturers – genuinely exciting content and top-quality delivery. Plus enormous flexibility in the course: whenever something didn't quite go to plan, high-quality alternatives were arranged immediately. Simply perfect. I felt entirely at home and can only recommend the course.”
“Thank you so much – it was even better than I ever imagined. Brutally practice-oriented, plenty of inspiration, great teachers and a superb network. Now it's simply a matter of putting it into practice. Really cool!”
“The perfect complement to my xMBA! The AI Business Specialist provides a valuable framework, especially for the corporate world – how to work with AI, create value and talk to management and IT as an equal. Lively lecturers, enormous knowledge, the time flies by. Absolutely recommended!”
“What can I say? There used to be a TV host who would leap up and shout: 'That was terrific!' – I won't do that, but the course was extremely good. Plenty of simulations, AI always at the centre – not just hacks and tricks, but the tactics behind them. You learn to work with AI and to go through the entire process together with it as a co-pilot. Outstanding – keep it up!”
“Intensive and highly engaging weeks with great lecturers and wonderful fellow participants. We ran a complete business case end to end – from use case identification through prioritisation, calculation and analysis to governance and board preparation. A truly great experience – many thanks to everyone!”
“Really intensive, really hands-on and superbly organised. The programme genuinely moved me forward, and Martin's preparation for the federal examination was once again outstanding. Absolutely recommended!”
“The course is very engaging – a lot of material, but thoroughly practical. Top-calibre lecturers who really work in the field and enrich the material with examples from everyday practice. You go home each time with a full backpack – and always with brand-new insights on AI.”
“Crazily engaging and a real challenge – but worth it every single day. Definitely do it!”
“The xMBA brought me into the present, the AI Business Specialist makes me fit for the future. The perfect next step!”
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The faculty brings something no curriculum can replace:
the experience of living AI transformation every single day.
CEO ATLASS Technology AG · Co-Founder ISA
Partner Graduate School
24 years of international leadership in financial services, including as Global Head Innovation & Customer Experience at UBS with teams in Zurich, London and Singapore. 500+ professionals guided through the xMBA (reintegration rate: 80%). Lecturer HWZ Zurich, Founder ATLASS Technology AG.
Serial Startup Entrepreneur · Co-Founder & President ISA
Partner Graduate School
Founder of Swiss Fintech (Switzerland's first fintech association) and co-founder of Knip AG (CHF 15M funding). Member of the Swiss Federal Council's Advisory Board on Digital Transformation since 2017. Speaker for UBS, SwissRe, McKinsey, SRF. Former Board Member Globalance Bank. Wikipedia →
A programme carried by entrepreneurs.
And co-funded by the Swiss government.
Graduate School of Applied Technology & Management
SAQ-certified · Course on the SERI list
Introductory and partner price · ✦ With the federal diploma: federal subsidy CHF 4,995
Who stands in front of the class: Founders, C-level leaders and subject-matter experts from the Swiss tech and innovation ecosystem. They teach the decisions they are making in their own organisations right now.
SERI federal subsidy: Once you have sat the examination (regardless of the result), the government reimburses 50% of eligible course fees. The leadership programme is on the SERI list of preparatory courses for the 2027 intakes.
Limited number of places · Registration via Tally · Assessment call with GAT · Clear, prompt response
Not included: federal exam fee (separately through ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz), as well as licences and subscriptions for AI tools
Questions first? → Book an info call
Brochure, SERI guide and personal info call.
Everything you need.
All details on curriculum, schedule, lecturers and fees at a glance.
The government reimburses 50% of eligible course fees. Our guide shows you how to secure the federal subsidy.
15 minutes with the team of the Graduate School of Applied Technology & Management. Your questions, answered directly.
You haven't come this far to watch others define the future. For leaders who will drive AI in their organisations.
Next start on 8 January 2027 · 12 weeks
12 weeks instead of around 9 months for a CAS – followed directly by your SAQ certificate AI Business Expert.
Limited places
Part of the places is reserved as a quota for our partner organisations.
