DriLAb

Digital Risk & Innovation Lab

Leadership Development

Digital (AI) Leadership Course

A structured, modular course designed for executives and senior leaders responsible for driving AI and digital transformation within public sector organizations.

5 Modules20 HoursC-Suite & DirectorsCertificate of Completion

Course Structure

Five Course Modules

Each module builds on the previous, taking participants from AI foundations through to a fully developed organizational AI Strategic Roadmap.

014 hours

AI Strategic Implementation

An executive-level introduction to AI — what it is, what it can and cannot do, and how it changes the strategic landscape for public sector organizations. This module establishes the conceptual foundation for all subsequent modules, covering AI types, capability trajectories, governance considerations, and the unique implementation challenges within government contexts.

AI landscape for public sector executives
Types of AI: Predictive, Generative, Agentic
AI governance frameworks and standards
Strategic vs. operational AI investments
Building the case for AI investment
Common AI implementation failure modes
023 hours

AI Adoption Profile

Understanding where your organization sits on the AI adoption spectrum — and why it matters for implementation strategy. Drawing on Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation framework, this module provides tools to assess organizational readiness, identify adoption accelerators and blockers, and design engagement strategies that move people along the adoption curve.

Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation for AI
Organizational AI Adoption Profile assessment
Identifying Innovators, Early Adopters, and Laggards
Designing adoption strategies by profile
Measuring and tracking adoption progress
Leadership behaviours that accelerate adoption
034 hours

AI Maturity Model

A structured framework for assessing organizational AI maturity across five dimensions — Strategy, Data, Technology, People, and Process. Participants complete a full maturity assessment of their organization, generating a maturity radar that provides the evidence base for prioritizing AI investments and development interventions.

Five-dimension AI Maturity Model
Completing an organizational AI maturity assessment
Interpreting and communicating maturity profiles
Gap analysis: current vs. target maturity
Maturity-based investment prioritization
Benchmarking against peer organizations
044 hours

AI Projects — Selection and Governance

A rigorous framework for identifying, evaluating, prioritizing, and governing AI projects. Participants learn how to screen AI opportunities against strategic, technical, and ethical criteria — and how to structure governance arrangements that ensure AI projects deliver intended outcomes while managing risks appropriately.

AI use case identification and screening
AI project selection criteria and scoring
Building an AI project portfolio
AI project governance structures
Risk management in AI projects
Vendor selection and management for AI
055 hours

AI Strategic Roadmap — Holistic

Synthesis module in which participants develop a complete AI Strategic Roadmap for their organization — integrating insights from all previous modules into a coherent, phased implementation plan. The roadmap addresses capability building, technology investment, governance, change management, and outcome measurement over a 3-year horizon.

AI strategy development methodology
Integrating maturity, adoption, and project insights
Phased roadmap design: 90 days, 1 year, 3 years
Resource planning and budget frameworks
Change management and communications strategy
Outcome metrics and performance monitoring

What You Will Achieve

Course Outcomes

Graduates of the Digital (AI) Leadership Course leave with tangible tools, frameworks, and the confidence to lead AI transformation in their organizations.

Strategic Clarity

A clear, evidence-based view of where AI can create the most value for your organization — and a prioritized roadmap for getting there.

Organizational Diagnosis

A complete AI Maturity and Adoption Profile for your organization, with gap analysis and targeted investment recommendations.

Implementation Readiness

The governance frameworks, project selection tools, and risk management capabilities to launch and oversee AI projects with confidence.

Peer Network

Connection with a cohort of senior public sector digital leaders — sharing challenges, insights, and implementation experience across agencies.

Delivery Format

  • Blended learning (online + in-person)
  • Cohort-based with peer learning
  • Individual coaching sessions
  • Access to DriLab Knowledge Platform

Who Should Attend

  • Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
  • Deputy Directors (Digital & Technology)
  • Senior Digital Strategy Advisors
  • Agency Heads with digital mandate

Completion & Recognition

  • DriLab Certificate of Leadership
  • Digital competency credential
  • AI Strategic Roadmap deliverable
  • Alumni network membership

Ready to Lead the AI Transformation?

Explore AI project examples and implementation cases in the DriLab Project Directory, or register to begin the Digital (AI) Leadership Course.