August 29th, 2025
AI for Impact Course at NYU SPS: Unlocking Creativity, Engagement, and Growth with Generative AI
AI for Impact
AI Strategy
Artificial Intelligence
Career
Digital Storytelling
This summer, I had the privilege of teaching the latest edition of my AI for Impact course at NYU SPS — AI for Impact: Boost Your Marketability and Organizational Growth. Each time I teach this one-day intensive, I am reminded of the extraordinary potential that emerges when professionals from diverse industries engage with artificial intelligence (AI) not as a threat, but as a creative partner for impact.
A One-Day Intensive, Lifelong Skills
Grounded in my proprietary 1+1+AI=10™ Methodology and SHINE™ Storytelling Framework, the AI for Impact course at NYU SPS blends case studies, live demonstrations, and an applied AI workshop to give participants hands-on experience with leading generative AI tools. Among them: ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, Canva Magic Design, Claude, Wordly AI, Udio, Panjaya AI, and AskHumans.
Participants also benefit from the AI for Impact Project Coach™, a companion tool that guides them in applying these frameworks to craft compelling, values-aligned narratives. For those who choose, the optional project provides an opportunity to apply these tools toward real-world campaigns, proposals, and strategic plans.
The course is certified for 7 CFRE points (Category 1.B – Education) and awards 1 CEU, reinforcing its rigor and professional value.
Student Highlights: Innovation Across Sectors
The Summer 2025 cohort included professionals from healthcare, philanthropy, business, education, and creative industries. Their final projects reflected the power of combining human ingenuity with AI tools:
- One participant created a STEM education campaign featuring AI-generated video, music, and storytelling that brought science to life for younger audiences.
- Another developed a healthcare operations strategy, showing how AI could streamline workflows and improve patient engagement.
- A professional in hospitality explored how AI could transform customer experience design, leveraging digital storytelling to elevate brand loyalty.
- Others tested innovative campaigns around sports branding, cultural preservation, and personal branding.
These projects exemplify the heart of the AI for Impact course at NYU SPS: AI is not a replacement for human creativity but an amplifier of it.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Feedback from students continues to affirm the value of this NYU SPS AI course. 90% of participants rated it very highly across all metrics, praising its interactivity, real-world applications, and immediately applicable skills.
One participant described it as “a meaningful and energizing class” that left them “inspired to explore and apply AI ethically and responsibly.” Another called it “a game changer” that helped them reimagine their professional practice with new tools and confidence.
I also shared more about the student experience and reflections in a recent LinkedIn post, which captures the spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and courage that defined this class.
Why It Matters
As AI reshapes every sector, professionals need more than just familiarity with tools — they need ethical frameworks, practical strategies, and confidence to innovate responsibly. That is what the AI for Impact course at NYU SPS delivers. It is not only about technical proficiency; it is about preparing leaders to leverage AI for human-centered impact.
Looking Ahead: Fall 2025 Editions
I am excited to announce that AI for Impact: Boost Your Marketability and Organizational Growth will return in Fall 2025 at NYU SPS. If you are a professional seeking to future-proof your skills, amplify your organization’s storytelling, or responsibly integrate AI into your strategies, this course is for you.
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