How is using generative AI as a thought partner different from using AI for one-off answers?

Thought-partner use is iterative, because you provide context, ask follow-up questions, challenge the output, and decide what to keep. That is different from asking for a single answer, where the goal is mainly to get a response rather than work through a decision or strategy.

Do you need any prerequisites before learning to use generative AI as a thought partner?

No deep technical experience is emphasized, because the course focuses on practical leadership use rather than on building AI systems. What matters more is being able to describe your business context, ask clear questions, and think critically about the output you receive.

What tools, platforms, or methods are used in this course?

Learners work with a large language model in a secure hands-on environment that includes access to Google Gemini Pro. The course focuses on prompt-based work that moves from simple queries to context-rich, iterative thought-partner use.

What specific tasks will you practice or complete in this course?

You practice giving an AI system business context, summarizing and evaluating ideas, comparing options, and refining a strategic point of view through follow-up prompts. You also use it to examine opportunities and risks, think through customer value and productivity questions, and draft clearer communications.

Navigating Generative AI: A CEO Playbook

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Navigating Generative AI: A CEO Playbook

Instructor: Jeff Maggioncalda, Coursera CEO

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

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4 hours to complete

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

100 reviews

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

A practical overview of GenAI’s capabilities, limitations, and where it may be heading
How to use GenAI as a "thought partner” to set strategy, improve decision-making, analyze competition, and communicate more effectively
How to enable your organization to use GenAI to create customer value and boost productivity
How to move quickly and safely with an understanding of the risks associated with this technology

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

This is a shortened, executive summary of our comprehensive program, Navigating Generative for Leaders. Start your journey in this accelerated 4-hour course. If you need to go deeper your progress will carry over into our longer program.

Created by Coursera's CEO, this course is your quick-start guide to unlocking the transformative power of GenAI for your organization. It features hands-on labs with access to Google Gemini Pro in a secure, private environment. These labs not only teach you how to use GenAI, but also how to apply it to design your GenAI strategy, identify specific opportunities to enhance customer value, and increase productivity. Learn from the best in the field, including Andrew Ng, worldwide AI expert and Coursera co-founder; Clara Shih, CEO of Salesforce AI; and Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork. These expert insights, updated quarterly, will keep you at the cutting edge of GenAI developments. Embrace the future of AI with confidence. Get started on your AI journey today.

Module 1 introduces the transformative impact of Generative AI on businesses and the motivations for its implementation. It highlights the groundbreaking potential of Generative AI and the importance of swift adaptation. A key focus of this module is the exploration of how CEOs can use GenAI as a strategic thought partner, emphasizing critical thinking and providing practical exercises.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment1 ungraded lab

9 videosTotal 67 minutes

Welcome Video8 minutes
Why GenAI matters to CEOs (Andrew Ng, Coursera)5 minutes
GenAI is a "now game" (Hayden Brown, Upwork)7 minutes
Adapting to GenAI as CEO8 minutes
Why CEOs who don't use GenAI will fall behind5 minutes
Using GenAI for basic queries12 minutes
Using GenAI as your "Thought Partner" (part 1)7 minutes
Using GenAI as your "Thought Partner" (part 2)12 minutes
Your role as a critical thinker with GenAI5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 8 minutes

Use GenAI as your Thought Partner8 minutes

1 ungraded labTotal 15 minutes

CEO toolkit: Use GenAI as a "Thought Partner"15 minutes

Module 2 explores the impact of Generative AI on industries and jobs. A significant emphasis is placed on providing tools for CEOs to thoroughly analyze the impact of GenAI on various aspects of their business. The module also explores how GenAI can create customer value and enhance organizational productivity, offering practical strategies for identifying productivity opportunities.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment5 ungraded labs

4 videosTotal 30 minutes

Potential impact of GenAI on jobs and people10 minutes
GenAI makes competitive analysis critical8 minutes
Identifying opportunities to create value9 minutes
Coursera case study: Creating value with GenAI3 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 5 minutes

Using GenAI to create customer value5 minutes

5 ungraded labsTotal 40 minutes

Analyze threats and opportunities of GenAI8 minutes
Analyze how GenAI might create customer value8 minutes
Use GenAI to analyze competitive dynamics8 minutes
Use GenAI to find ways to create value8 minutes
Use GenAI to find ways to improve productivity8 minutes

Module 3 primarily focuses on preparing your organization for the successful integration of Generative AI. It emphasizes the importance of engaging and training your workforce on GenAI, discussing the unique aspects of a GenAI transformation, and offering practical guidance on readying your organization. Strategies for skilling your workforce on GenAI are provided, ensuring that everyone from executives to team members can effectively utilize this technology.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment

Module 4 discusses the various risks and concerns associated with Generative AI, including business model risks, inaccuracies in AI-generated content, data security, and privacy concerns. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing these risks. A significant part of this module is dedicated to exploring the ethical considerations for using GenAI. It highlights the importance of developing responsible AI principles and practices, guiding CEOs in creating ethical principles for Responsible AI tailored specifically to their own companies.

What's included

3 videos2 readings1 assignment

Instructor

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Jeff Maggioncalda, Coursera CEO

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Reviewed on Jul 4, 2024

Highly recommended for everyone who desires to get a fundamental grasp of GenAI and it's implications for business

Reviewed on Oct 12, 2025

Very interesting and helpful to understand how we can make use of AI in our role that can help us better

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024

Wonderful course with a mix of theory, practical hands-on lab experience and expert guidance from real world leaders. Thanks Jeff.

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Frequently asked questions

In this course, using generative AI as a thought partner means working with a large language model to sharpen ideas, test assumptions, and improve decisions. The emphasis is on leadership work such as shaping strategy, analyzing competition, identifying opportunities, and communicating clearly.

You would use it when you are dealing with an open-ended business question and need help thinking through options, tradeoffs, or next steps. In the course, that includes situations like setting strategy, exploring customer value, reviewing risks, and improving how you explain your point of view.

It fits best in the earlier and middle stages of work, when you are defining a problem, exploring alternatives, and refining an approach before acting on it. The course treats it as a way to turn an initial idea or rough strategy into something more tested, clearer, and easier to communicate.