'The future is already here — it’s just not evenly distributed,' William Gibson once said.
Like Alice, following curiosity down the rabbit hole, I explore this unevenly distributed future at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. Here, starting my Executive Diploma in AI for Business, each question about artificial intelligence leads to deeper layers of understanding, all within walls that have witnessed centuries of discoveries.
The quest for understanding
My journey to Oxford began with recognition - despite my engineering degree, MBA and years of business experience in different tech roles, I felt something was missing in my understanding of AI. I yearned for fundamental clarity in a world flooded with information, hype, misinterpretation and conflicting narratives about artificial intelligence. This wasn’t just about personal growth but about making a meaningful difference — for myself, my kids, my communities in Ukraine and the UK, my company and my clients.
As a lifelong learner, I’ve discovered that learning is an art to master. One fundamental principle has always stood out: the importance of offsetting forgetting through the immediate application of knowledge. This insight resonated powerfully when our Oxford professors and lecturers consistently emphasised one crucial message: knowledge must be applied in practice. Each lecture reinforced the importance of taking theory beyond classroom walls and turning insights into action.
Inspiration struck during one of my walks through Oxford’s night-time streets. As I wandered the ancient heritage, contemplating my next steps, the idea for this blog emerged naturally. Like the gentle progression of atomic habits, like the continuous improvement philosophy of kaizen, this blog would be my way of putting knowledge into action not just in my daily work but as a contribution to the broader community. One small step and one post can make a difference to someone.
A global tapestry of minds
Our cohort is a vibrant mosaic of brilliant minds from all continents gathered to shape the future of artificial intelligence. We all have unique perspectives, and we don’t necessarily agree with all other viewpoints, making our journey unique. Like Alice, who ‘knew who she was this morning but has changed a few times since then,’ each of us transforms through interactions. Our different backgrounds—from technology to business, from policy to research—create a rich tapestry of viewpoints that challenge and complement each other.
Through Oxford’s rigorous curriculum, we’re building the expertise needed to guide AI’s sustainable development. Just as Alice’s journey changed her perspective of what’s possible, our programme is designed to shape how we implement AI’s future—not by enforcing a single viewpoint but by exposing us to the multitude of ways AI can be approached, understood and implemented across different cultures and contexts.
- Module 1 navigates us through the landscape of technological disruption, where our diverse professional experiences enrich discussions about AI’s transformative impact across different markets and cultures, AI compliance and its ambiguity.
- Module 2 focuses on big data and machine learning. It combines technical understanding with our varied industry insights to explore practical applications.
- Module 3 takes us deep into AI in practice, where our global perspectives help ensure ethical and effective implementation across different cultural contexts.
- Module 4 culminates in strategic leadership in the age of AI.
Our diverse cohort, combined with Oxford’s academic rigor, creates a unique environment where practical tools meet worldwide perspectives. This environment prepares us to govern AI’s application, management and governance in ways that benefit society and organizations across all continents.
The living museum of ideas
Oxford reveals its depths gradually, like a book whose chapters unfold with each turning page. In the Natural History Museum, amidst preserved specimens of evolution, I found a powerful metaphor for AI’s current state: adaptation— like those preserved birds, it’s caught in a moment of perpetual evolution. Right now, someone may think that AI is already formed and defined, but it’s not — it’s still evolving. It’s adapting. We’re adapting. And in this process of mutual adaptation, a future is being born.
The city itself is a living museum where the past and future coexist in stunning harmony. Walking the cobblestone streets in the evening, you might catch fragments of theological discussions blending seamlessly into debates about economic theory. In ancient libraries, where the entire world is hidden within their walls, centuries of human knowledge rest in quiet dignity, while just steps away, researchers work on algorithms that could reshape humanity’s future.
Keys to the Kingdom of Knowledge
As our week progressed, we were handed various keys to unlock mysterious doors of knowledge. World-renowned professors and lecturers served as our guides through these intellectual labyrinths. I naively thought I’d find answers to my AI-related questions… But Oxford’s approach isn’t about finding ready-made answers — it’s about developing a new way of thinking.
We delved deep into AI’s history, witnessed the birth of new markets and grappled with questions of regulation and governance. Each discussion opened new horizons, from risk analysis to opportunity exploration, algorithmic development and understanding their societal impact.
The Oxford magic
Knowledge here isn’t confined to lecture halls; it flows through every corner of the university. It sparks during coffee breaks, ignites over-dinner conversations and flourishes in Oxford’s historic pubs, where great ideas have been born for centuries. Every interaction becomes an opportunity for intellectual exchange; every moment is the possibility of breakthrough insights.
As I conclude my first week here, I realise that, like Alice, I’ve discovered a world where nothing is quite what it seems, and everything is more than it appears. In this intersection of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge innovation, we’re not just learning about the future — we’re creating it.
This article was crafted with assistance from Claude (Anthropic’s AI) and Grammarly Premium. The content, experiences and insights are based on my personal journey at Oxford, while AI tools assisted with editing, language refinement and structural suggestions.
Oxford Executive Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business
