Chicago Booth Partners With OpenAI to Build AI-Powered MBA Alternative

MasterClass Executive program aims to provide business training in a compressed timeframe

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, MasterClass, and OpenAI have announced a new AI-powered alternative to traditional MBA programs called MasterClass Executive. The 12-week, $2,500 program will feature online lessons supplemented by an AI tutor, as well as in-person experiences on the University of Chicago campus.

Why it matters

This partnership represents a significant shift in business education, as top institutions explore innovative models to make advanced business training more accessible and efficient. The use of AI as a teaching assistant could disrupt the traditional MBA format and open up new pathways for aspiring business leaders.

The details

The MasterClass Executive program will combine online instruction from Booth academics and entrepreneurs with AI-powered tutoring from OpenAI. Students will also participate in AI labs with representatives from companies like OpenAI, Lovable, Weights & Biases, and ElevenLabs. An in-person experience will be hosted on the University of Chicago campus.

  • The MasterClass Executive program will launch in the next 12 weeks.
  • The in-person experience will be hosted on the University of Chicago campus.

The players

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

A top-ranked business school and part of the University of Chicago.

MasterClass

An online education platform that offers classes taught by experts in various fields.

OpenAI

An artificial intelligence research company that develops advanced language models and other AI technologies.

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What they’re saying

“MasterClass Executive is a 12-week, $2,500 program that will feature Zoom-based lessons (supplemented by a custom AI tutor from OpenAI) from academics and entrepreneurs, along with AI labs with representatives from companies like OpenAI, Lovable, Weights & Biases, and ElevenLabs.”

— David Rogier, Founder and CEO of MasterClass (Inc.)

What’s next

The MasterClass Executive program is expected to launch in the coming weeks, with the in-person experience on the University of Chicago campus to follow.

The takeaway

This partnership between top institutions and cutting-edge AI technology represents a significant shift in business education, as leaders explore new models to make advanced training more accessible and efficient. The use of AI as a teaching assistant could disrupt the traditional MBA format and open up new pathways for aspiring business leaders.