The collaboration introduces a holistic C-Level leadership programme focused on innovation and transformation with data and AI, involving the expertise of diverse EUR researchers in the curriculum. This interdisciplinary programme will launch on 4 September 2025, and arrives at a crucial moment when organisations face mounting pressure from geopolitical tensions, critical reports, and disruption from global tech companies.
"Technological developments such as AI are making our organisations increasingly aware of the importance of proper data use across the board," stated Professor Bredenoord. "To ensure responsible use of these progressive technologies, a holistic, sustainable data strategy is essential, where technology and ethics go hand in hand from the outset."
Professor Aukje Hassoldt, Dean of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), emphasised the urgency of such leadership development: "In a world where AI is completely redefining our way of working, leadership that understands and knows how to apply this technology is essential to remain relevant."
The programme specifically addresses findings of the recent Draghi report, which indicate Europe's currently insufficient capacity for innovation, underscoring the necessity for organisations to adopt strategic, data-driven approaches.
Dr Ken van Ierlant, CEO of Digital Values, stressed the importance of effective data governance: "Organisations have more data than ever before, but utilising it remains a challenge. Companies can use the data dividend to become truly data-driven."
Dr Marcel van Oosterhout, Executive Director of the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics (ECDA), highlighted the programme's practical approach: "Data and AI accelerate innovation and new ways of working. This programme offers insights, practical tools, and use cases to optimally harness these technologies. We use the UN's Sustainable Development Goals as a guideline for the responsible deployment of AI, with significant attention to ethics, diversity, and social impact."
While open to all executives and supervisory board members, the programme actively encourages female participation, recognising that many organisations, particularly in technical roles such as CIO, CTO, or CDO, remain dominated by male decision-makers. This often results in a technical and one-sided perspective on innovation. The researchers emphasise that female leaders have unique potential to break through this mindset and introduce a broader, more creative, and future-oriented approach.
The collaboration between ECDA and Digital Values aims not only to increase innovation capacity within organisations but also to establish an international platform for knowledge exchange. By facilitating future collaborations with leading companies, best practices can be shared and innovations further accelerated.
For more information about the programme or partnership, interested parties can visit the programme page on the ECDA website or contact Caroline Holtgrefe, Chief Community Officer.
