AI Leadership Series

Problem Solving and AI

Overview

Problem Solving and AI equips business professionals to use AI as a practical partner in tackling ambiguous, high-stakes challenges. Grounded in a five-phase design-thinking framework, the course shows how AI can support root-cause discovery, stakeholder analysis, prototyping and solution refinement, combining human-centred problem solving with the speed and breadth of AI.

This is an official Harvard Online course, featuring faculty from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and delivered on Harvard Online's learning platform. IPMC International handles your registration, payment and local support, then enrols you on the course. The format is self-guided, and the Certificate of Completion is issued by Harvard Online.

Length2 weeks
Commitment2–3 hours per week
FormatSelf-guided online
Faculty fromHarvard SEAS

What you'll learn

The course builds three connected capabilities:

  • Apply AI to structured problem solving: use large language models to augment a five-phase design-thinking process, moving from ambiguous business problems to clearer opportunities, hypotheses and solution paths.
  • Analyse stakeholders and uncover root causes: use AI to support discovery and stakeholder analysis, and to surface the patterns, barriers and underlying causes that surface-level analysis often misses.
  • Prototype, stress-test and pitch stronger solutions: use AI to generate, refine and stress-test solution concepts, and build high-impact pitches that communicate the problem, the proposed solution and its organisational value.

Course syllabus

The programme is built around a five-phase, design-thinking approach to solving enterprise and entrepreneurial problems with AI. There are no prerequisites.

Framing the problem

Use AI to move from an ambiguous, high-stakes business challenge to a clearer problem statement, with sharper opportunities and testable hypotheses.

Discovery and stakeholder analysis

Apply AI to support discovery and stakeholder analysis, deepening your understanding of user and organisational needs and identifying underlying root causes.

Prototyping and refinement

Use AI to generate and iteratively refine solution concepts, exploring complexity and testing assumptions as you go.

Stress-testing and pitching

Stress-test your solutions and develop a high-impact project pitch that clearly communicates the problem, your recommendation and the value it creates.

Faculty

This course features faculty from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Harvard SEAS). Full instructor details are confirmed by Harvard Online ahead of each cohort.

Who it's for

The course suits business professionals across technology, financial services, education, health care, consumer products and government who want to use AI as a genuine problem-solving partner. It's ideal for professionals, graduates and organisations who want a globally recognised Harvard Online credential to advance their careers or capabilities.

Your certificate

On successful completion you receive a digital Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online that you can add to your CV and LinkedIn.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost through IPMC?

The course fee is confirmed on enquiry and put in writing before payment.

How do I pay?

Pay IPMC securely by debit/credit card in UAE Dirhams (UAE) or by UPI, card or net banking in Indian Rupees (India).

Is the certificate really from Harvard Online?

Yes. The course is delivered by Harvard Online and the Certificate of Completion is issued by Harvard Online.

Do I need a technical background?

No. The focus is on applying AI as a thinking partner within a structured problem-solving process, not on building AI yourself.

When does it start?

This course is coming soon. Register your interest and we'll notify you as soon as Harvard Online confirms the start date.

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