New five-month blended program equips professionals with practical, non-coding AI governance, risk management, assurance and compliance skills — now open for direct registration.
Christine Brooks-Cappadocia
School of Continuing Studies
Toronto, Aug. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As organizations quickly adopt artificial intelligence (AI) into company operations, many are discovering they lack the oversight and accountability needed to manage its risks. The result is growing demand for professionals who can bridge AI innovation with responsible governance.
To help professionals navigate the emerging responsibilities of AI oversight, the York University School of Continuing Studies has launched the Certificate in AI Governance.
Developed in consultation with senior AI governance experts from across industries, the program prepares learners who are being asked to oversee AI systems and processes. Students will learn practical approaches to governance, risk management, assurance and compliance that help organizations identify and manage AI-related risks, with no technical or programming background required.
The five-month certificate program includes three project-based courses delivered through live online instruction and online materials. The first cohort will begin in January 2027 and the program is now open for registration.
“As provincial and federal privacy legislation evolves and organizations increasingly adopt AI to drive growth and digitally transform operations, building strong AI Governance is essential to manage risk across the solutions lifecycle, protect personal information, innovate responsibly and build public trust. Professionals with these skills will be well positioned to help organizations monitor AI solutions responsibly over time,” says Adriana Gliga-Belavic, national privacy & data protection leader and AI Governance program advisory committee member.
“York University School of Continuing Studies’ Certificate in AI Governance will provide learners with the foundations and hands-on experience needed to support responsible AI adoption and advance careers in this rapidly growing field.”
Meeting the Growing Demand for AI Governance-Trained Professionals
AI adoption is accelerating across Canadian workplaces. According to Statistics Canada, 19.2 per cent of Canadian businesses reported using AI to produce goods or deliver services in the 12 months leading up to the second quarter of 2026, more than triple the 6.1 per cent reported two years earlier.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in business operations, organizations need professionals who can help establish appropriate governance, assess risks, protect privacy, maintain accountability and ensure AI systems are used responsibly.
To prepare learners to face these new challenges, they will complete an integrated Comprehensive AI Governance Plan project that threads through all three courses, allowing them to apply their learning to their own organizational challenge or a provided scenario.
“Organizations are no longer asking whether they should adopt AI. Their challenge now is to use it responsibly. There is an urgent need for professionals with the skills needed to oversee, manage risks and create effective governance practices related to AI in the workplace,” says Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies at York University.
“At York University School of Continuing Studies, our role is to help efficiently close emerging skills gaps by preparing professionals to adapt to new technologies and the changing demands of industry. Our School’s approach of co-developing programs with industry ensures that graduates of the Certificate in AI Governance will have that unique combination of skills, knowledge and experience employers need to address this challenge along with the professional network to help them thrive.”
Job-Ready Skills. Real-World Application.
This innovative certificate features applied learning in:
- AI Risk Assessment – Evaluate AI systems, identify governance gaps and recommend practical risk controls.
- Trustworthy AI Governance – Apply governance frameworks to support ethical, transparent and compliant AI.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration – Work across privacy, compliance, legal, technology and business teams to govern AI effectively.
- Governance & Audit-Readiness – Develop documentation, traceability and governance controls that support AI assurance and audit-readiness.
- Stakeholder Communication – Communicate AI risks and governance decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Graduates of this program will be prepared to return to their organizations, ready to work with technical teams and senior decision-makers to support AI policies, frameworks and controls.
Who Should Register?
The Certificate in AI Governance is ideal for professionals looking to build expertise in AI governance, risk management and compliance.
The program is particularly suited to:
- Privacy, data protection and data governance specialists in charge of governance, compliance and AI oversight.
- Business analysts, product managers and developers moving into AI governance, implementation or policy roles.
- Information security, cyber security, risk and compliance experts looking to expand their expertise into AI governance.
Registration Now Open for Winter 2027
Registration is now open for the inaugural Winter 2027 cohort. Spaces are limited, so enrol early to secure your spot in this emerging field.
For more information and to enrol, visit the York University School of Continuing Studies website.
About the York University School of Continuing Studies
The York University School of Continuing Studies is a diverse community of learning united by a shared sense of purpose – achieving personal and professional growth in a world of constant change. Our ability to help students lead in the face of this change has made us the fastest-growing school in Canada.
We prepare our students for success by teaching them specialized knowledge and technical skills and enhancing their soft skills, cultural understanding, and cross-disciplinary know-how.
The school embraces a global perspective through collaborative relationships with industry and academia leaders across Canada and worldwide.
For questions on this and other York University continuing studies programs, please contact Justine Kestner, assistant director of marketing for the School of Continuing Studies, at [email protected].
Attachments
- Christine Brooks-Cappadocia
- School of Continuing Studies
CONTACT: Justine Kestner York University School of Continuing Studies [email protected]
