Applied AI Transformation Management

The Master’s programme in Applied AI Transformation Management qualifies you for leadership roles in AI-driven transformation processes. Over three semesters, you will learn how to identify AI use cases, evaluate their business potential, and implement them successfully in organisations — from responsible AI governance to the productive deployment of AI systems. The fully English-taught curriculum combines academic foundations with practice-oriented industry projects and opens up diverse career opportunities in industry, SMEs, and consulting. Study on the shores of Lake Constance and actively shape the future of AI transformation.

Profile

Degree: Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Applied AI Transformation Management (MAI);
state-recognised programme (accreditation in preparation)

Faculty:Civil Engineering

Study model: Full-time
Language of instruction: English (core modules and master's thesis); elective modules in English and/or German
Standard period of study: 3 semesters (90 ECTS)

Programme start: Summer and winter semester (first cohort summer semester 2027)
Study places: 30 per year (15 per cohort)
Application deadline: 1 December 2026

Download fact sheet (PDF) Applied AI Transformation Management (MAI)

Apply now for MAI!

Admission requirements

Applied AI Transformation Management (M.Eng.)

Artificial intelligence has stopped being purely a technology question. This consecutive master's programme trains engineering graduates to make AI initiatives in organisations economically, legally and culturally effective.

Studying Applied AI Transformation Management

Artificial intelligence has long since arrived on the strategic agenda of companies. Studies show, however, that two thirds of AI initiatives remain in pilot status or fail to deliver their economic impact — not because the technology does not work, but because the organisational, legal and cultural anchoring is missing. With the EU AI Act and the associated compliance requirements, this need is becoming even more pronounced.

This means: companies, public authorities and consultancies are looking for people who not only understand AI technically, but can also shape transformations with it — from use case identification through governance to scaled operations. This is precisely where the master's programme Applied AI Transformation Management starts.

In the master's programme Applied AI Transformation Management you learn:

to systematically identify AI use cases along processes, data and stakeholders and to assess their value contribution
to design AI initiatives within the regulatory framework (in particular the EU AI Act, data protection, liability) and to develop governance models
to take AI solutions from pilot to scaled regular operation — with MLOps, roll-out management and change architecture

Key subject areas of the programme:

AI Transformation & Change Management (organisational change, leadership in AI transformations)
Governance, Compliance and Ethics (EU AI Act, data protection, accountability, data ownership)
AI Use-Case Discovery & Value Realization (identification, prioritisation, value contribution, go/no-go logic)
Technical AI Foundations (applied machine learning, data pipelines, decision systems)
AI Transformation Execution & Scaling (MLOps, roll-out, monitoring, incident and change management)
Industry Sprint with real practice partners (real AI transformation initiatives under time, budget and compliance pressure)

You bring these experiences and interests:

Would you like to take responsibility for AI initiatives in companies — from use case identification to scaled operations? Do you want to work at the intersection of technology, business and law and shape transformations that are economically, legally and culturally effective? Are you ready to work interdisciplinarily and in international teams in a fully English-taught programme? Then bring your competence profile into the master's programme Applied AI Transformation Management and actively shape the AI transformation!

Programme profile

MAI is a consecutive master's programme for graduates of engineering, business and computer science bachelors who want to take responsibility for AI initiatives in organisations. The programme combines technical depth — applied machine learning, data pipelines, decision support, MLOps — with organisational reach: use-case discovery and value realisation, change management and leadership in dynamic transformation settings, and governance, compliance and ethics including the EU AI Act. In the sixth core module, the Industry Sprint Lab, students tackle a real transformation challenge with an industry partner under academic supervision.

Three semesters lead to the degree: semesters one and two are structured around core and elective modules, semester three is dedicated to the master's thesis. The six English-language core modules (CORE01 to CORE06) form the joint backbone of the curriculum. The individual elective profile of 24 ECTS extends this backbone into a specialisation of choice — in German or English. The master's thesis is written in English and may be carried out in cooperation with an industry partner. Graduates qualify for subject-matter, project and leadership roles at the interface of technology, organisation and value creation, for senior civil service positions and for cooperative doctoral pathways.

Reasons to study the Master Applied AI Transformation Management in Konstanz

1. Open up a new profession with high future potential.
AI transformation ranks high on the strategic agenda of many companies. At the same time, practice shows that many AI initiatives do not move beyond pilot status. With the EU AI Act and rising requirements for responsible AI applications, demand is growing for specialists and managers who do not only understand AI technically, but can implement AI initiatives methodically, economically and in a governance-sound way within organisations.
This is precisely where the master's programme Applied AI Transformation Management starts: it prepares you systematically for a new profession at the intersection of technology, strategy, organisation and compliance.
2. Study a programme unique in the German-speaking world.
A systematic review of comparable programmes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland shows: the MAI is currently the only consecutive Master of Engineering with a focus on "AI Transformation Management".
The curriculum combines AI subject expertise, responsible AI governance, the identification and assessment of viable AI use cases as well as the operation and scaling of productive AI systems. The result is a study profile that combines technical depth with management and transformation competence.
3. Learn from lecturers with industry and research experience.
The core curriculum is delivered by HTWG lecturers who bring substantial experience in AI application, transformation management, governance and collaboration with companies.
You benefit from training that combines academic depth with concrete industry and consulting practice — with robust methods, realistic case examples and a clear view of the challenges of implementation in organisations.

4. Tackle real AI initiatives in the Industry Sprint Lab.
In the module "AI Transformation Sprint Lab" you work on a real AI transformation initiative of a practice partner. You take responsibility for analysis, design, implementation and impact reporting — under realistic organisational, technical, legal and time-related conditions.
In this way you not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but build a solid track record for your next career step already during your studies.
5. Benefit from an English-taught curriculum with international connectivity.
The six core modules are offered and delivered entirely in English; you also write your master's thesis in English. This qualifies you for international employers, cooperative doctoral studies in the English-speaking world and connectivity to European and non-European educational and labour markets.
The Master of Engineering degree is internationally compatible and is classified at level 7 of the German Qualifications Framework (DQR 7).
6. Study in the Four-Country Region of Lake Constance.
HTWG Konstanz is located directly on Lake Constance — in immediate proximity to Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein. The Four-Country Region of Lake Constance combines a high quality of life with a strong industrial environment, innovative medium-sized companies, start-up ecosystems and excellent higher education and research locations.
A particular advantage: HTWG is part of the Lake Constance Four-Country Region Higher Education Network (Wissenschaftsverbund Vierländerregion Bodensee), the largest higher-education network in Europe spanning different types of institutions. This means you study in a cross-border space of knowledge and innovation that combines international perspectives, regional proximity and diverse cooperation opportunities — at a study location where others go on holiday.

Career outlook

MAI graduates qualify for six role profiles at the intersection of AI technology, organisation and value creation. These roles are in strong demand across industry, services, the public sector and consulting.

AI Transformation Manager — leading and steering organisation-wide AI transformation programmes from strategic vision and roadmap to roll-out; responsible for portfolio steering, stakeholder architecture and demonstrating impact to senior management.
AI Governance Lead — accountable for EU AI Act compliance, data governance, risk classification, ethics reviews and auditability of AI initiatives; interface to data protection, legal, works council and supervisory authorities.
MLOps Lead / AI Operations Manager — designs and operates scalable AI platforms and data pipelines; responsible for the model lifecycle, monitoring, retraining, incident response and service levels of AI systems in production.
AI Consulting Lead — advises industry and public-sector clients on the introduction and scaling of AI; develops target pictures, use-case portfolios and transformation roadmaps and supports delivery in interdisciplinary teams.
AI Use-Case Owner / AI Product Manager — identifies, evaluates and prioritises AI use cases along processes, data and stakeholders; owns the value contribution, KPI baseline, product backlog and the transition from pilot to operations.
AI Compliance Officer / EU AI Act Lead — operationalises regulatory requirements (EU AI Act, GDPR, sectoral regulation) across the AI lifecycle; responsible for risk analyses, technical documentation, conformity assessment and the interface with notified bodies and market surveillance.

Further career paths include senior positions in the public sector (digital-transformation agencies, AI supervisory bodies, research funding) and cooperative doctoral pathways with university partners — the master’s thesis can serve as a springboard.

Programme structure

MAI study structure: three semesters covering the six CORE modules, the elective profile and the English-language master's thesis. Semester 1: CORE01, CORE02, CORE04 plus 6 ECTS electives (24 ECTS). Semester 2: CORE03, CORE05, CORE06 plus 12 ECTS electives (30 ECTS). Semester 3: 6 ECTS electives plus master's thesis 30 ECTS (36 ECTS).

Semester	Core modules	Electives	Master's thesis
1	CORE01, CORE02, CORE04 (6 ECTS each)	6 ECTS	—
2	CORE03, CORE05, CORE06 (6 ECTS each)	12 ECTS	—
3	—	6 ECTS	30 ECTS
Total	36 ECTS	24 ECTS	30 ECTS

The exact distribution of elective ECTS across semesters is a recommendation by the programme leadership; it can be adjusted to individual profiles and timetables.

Voices on the programme

Perspectives from academia, the city, industry and the regional network on the programme.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Birkhölzer

Vice-President for Teaching, Quality and Digital Transformation, HTWG Konstanz

“With MAI, HTWG is bringing technical depth, organisational competence and governance together in a single Master programme for the first time. This is exactly the combination employers need.”

Uli Burchardt

Lord Mayor of the City of Konstanz

“Konstanz thrives on the connection between science, administrative practice and a willingness to innovate. The new Master’s programme Applied AI Transformation Management at HTWG addresses precisely this interface and can help to translate AI not into abstract debate but responsibly into concrete transformation tasks for public administration, business and urban society.”

Markus Thinnes

Founder, Jelia GmbH

“Applied AI Transformation Management addresses exactly the gap we see in real AI projects: organisations do not only need people who understand AI, but people who can turn ideas into secure, deployable applications and manage the interface between technology, data protection and business value. The Sprint Lab gives students precisely that experience.”

Tobias Fauth

Managing Director, cyberLAGO e.V.

“In our regional network we see it every day: companies experiment with AI but rarely bring it into real operations. MAI educates exactly the people who close that gap: a genuine asset for the Lake Constance innovation ecosystem.”

Dr. Juri Buchmüller

Head of Innovative Digital Solutions, EBZ Group

“The German automotive industry is in the midst of digital transformation – what’s needed are specialists and leaders who understand the immense capabilities of AI technologies not just from a business perspective, but technically as well, enabling them to transform business processes efficiently. The MAI programme at HTWG Konstanz does exactly that: practice-oriented AI transformation expertise for tomorrow’s leadership roles.”

Next steps

Download module catalogue

Curriculum, learning outcomes and module descriptions for all six core modules in detail.

Module catalogue (Indigit)

Apply now

Application deadline for the first cohort: 1 December 2026. Two-stage selection procedure with English interview.

Application process

Request advice

Personal advisory meeting on eligibility, profile-building and career options.

Personal advisory meeting

Frequently asked questions

When does the programme start?: The first cohort starts in the summer semester 2027. Application deadline is 1 December 2026.
What language is the programme taught in?: The six CORE modules and the master’s thesis are in English. Electives can be taken in German or English.
Do I need German language skills?: No. The programme can be completed entirely in English, including the selection interview. Knowledge of German broadens the range of available electives and practice partners, but is not a requirement for admission.
Which bachelor degrees qualify for admission?: Engineering, industrial engineering, business, computer science or related disciplines with final grade 2.5 or better (German scale) and minimum ECTS in mathematics, computer science and business/management/law. Details are governed by the admission regulations.
How many study places are available?: 30 study places per year, split across two cohorts (summer and winter semester) of 15 places each. Allocation is based on a two-stage selection procedure consisting of pre-selection and an English-language interview.
Which electives can I choose?: The individual elective profile covers 24 ECTS from the cross-faculty master’s elective catalogue of HTWG Konstanz. Possible focus areas include business, law, computer science, engineering and design, taught in German or English. The specific semester catalogue is published before the start of studies.
What is the accreditation status?: The programme is currently in the accreditation process at HTWG Konstanz. State recognition of the Master of Engineering degree is ensured for the start in summer semester 2027; the degree is recognised nationally and internationally.
Can the master’s thesis be written with a company?: Yes. The master’s thesis may be carried out in cooperation with an industry partner. Academic supervision by the programme leadership remains mandatory; assessment framework and confidentiality arrangements are agreed in advance.

Contact

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Bühler, MBA, P.Eng., PMP
Programme Director MAI
Phone: +49 7531 206-9087
E-mail: mbuehler@htwg-konstanz.de

Pia Hollenbach
Programme Coordinator MAI
E-mail: pia.hollenbach@htwg-konstanz.de

General enquiries: mai@htwg-konstanz.de
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