Artificial intelligence is changing the way many people work, and for some professionals, that has sparked a bigger question: Is graduate school still worth it?

For many reasons, across many fields, the answer is yes. Graduate school is about far more than acquiring information. It teaches students how to ask better questions, evaluate sources, think critically, and apply knowledge in meaningful ways. Those same skills are increasingly important when working with generative AI.

Effective use of generative AI depends less on technical expertise and more on the ability to define problems clearly, evaluate information critically, and apply sound judgment. The skills developed through graduate education are central to using AI effectively.

Companies across industries are already using AI to automate workflows, analyze data, improve customer experiences, and support decision-making. But successful implementation still depends on people who understand both business problems and the tools and technologies that can help solve them.

As AI becomes part of everyday business operations, many graduate programs are adapting to help students understand both the technology and its practical applications.

At the University of Georgia, online graduate programs are beginning to reflect that shift.

Specifically, the Terry College of Business launched its online Master of Science in Business & Artificial Intelligence in 2026, rebranding and expanding its previous online Master of Business and Technology program to focus more directly on AI in business strategy and leadership.

The program is designed for professionals who want to understand not just what AI can do, but how to use it effectively inside organizations.

“It’s one thing to understand what artificial intelligence is capable of,” the program notes. “It’s another to recognize how it can transform your organization — and know how to deploy the tools that can bring that vision to life.”

The degree focuses on helping future leaders evaluate AI tools, guide implementation, and connect technical solutions to measurable business outcomes, rather than training students to become software engineers. Coursework explores topics like AI in business, digital transformation strategy, and application development, while a team-based capstone gives students experience solving real challenges for real clients.

The program was also built with direct input from industry leaders, helping keep coursework connected to the way businesses are actually using AI today.

UGA’s online Master of Science in Applied Data Science also incorporates AI and machine learning into its curriculum. The program combines statistics, data analysis, machine learning, natural language processing, and ethical data and AI practices with an applied, industry-connected approach.

Students learn from faculty across statistics, linguistics, and information systems while building skills that apply across healthcare, business, government, technology, marketing, and more.

And while AI tools continue to advance quickly, many employers are still looking for something technology alone cannot provide: the ability to define desired outcomes and make sound judgments, communicate effectively, and make meaningful sense of complex information in context.

That’s part of why graduate education continues to matter.

The professionals who will stand out over the next several years likely won’t be the ones trying to compete against AI tools. They’ll be the ones who understand how to use those tools well, ask better questions, interpret results thoughtfully, and help organizations make smarter decisions because of them.

For many working professionals, graduate school is becoming less about keeping up with change and more about learning how to navigate it, shape it, and lead what comes next.