AI Leadership – AI Adoption, Procurement & Governance

This apprenticeship unit is for individuals in leadership roles responsible for shaping, influencing, or supporting decisions about the adoption of AI systems within their organisation. These individuals, with support of their employer, need upskilling in adopting AI systems and governing them responsibly. It is suited to those involved in evaluating options, developing business cases, and establishing governance and assurance approaches for AI and digital technologies.

Topics covered include:

• Evaluating AI solutions and vendors using structured criteria following organisational process (cost, performance, risk, data readiness).
• Making procurement decisions based on testing, benchmarking and user validation following organisational policy and process.
• Assessing risks associated with AI acquisition, including vendor lock-in, data, IP, and sustainability.
• Designing and implementing AI governance frameworks, including roles, responsibilities and escalation pathways.
• Embedding ethical, legal and regulatory considerations into AI decision-making processes.
• Defining assurance and compliance processes, including documentation, auditability and transparency.
• Designing and implementing human oversight mechanisms for AI systems.

Assessment

Learners will need to pass a skills test delivered by Exeter College to demonstrate that they have acquired the skills and knowledge set out in the apprenticeship unit.

Employers will need to validate the result to confirm the learner has been successful.

Funding

This apprenticeship unit is currently eligible for funding.

This apprenticeship unit is funded at £750 via an employer apprenticeship service account.

This apprenticeship unit will be fully funded for SME employers.

Large employers will fund this unit via their apprenticeship levy account. If levy funds aren’t available, a 5% co-investment rate applies

Learners must be employed and must be 19 years or over.

Must be working in a leadership position within an organisation with autonomy to deliver technological change and inform investment decisions.