AWS Training and Certification Blog

Training for c-suite to build knowledge of cloud, generative AI capabilities

Editor’s note: as we publish new courses for c-suite and executive decision makers, we’ll add them to this blog.

Updated Dec 2023 to add Cloud for CHROs and Cloud Security Essentials for Executives course
Updated Nov 2023 to add a new cloud course for each Small Business Owners and Risk and Compliance Officers
Updated Oct 2023 to add Data for Executives course

The cloud powers today’s most impactful business and customer experiences, and c-suite leaders increasingly want to understand what it can deliver for their organization. Regardless of your organization’s adoption of cloud technologies, executives who understand the capabilities of cloud and its impact on operations across the organization are better equipped to set the vision for their organization’s digital transformation. If you’re a c-suite, president, VP, or even a director in a non-IT role, now’s the time to build your knowledge of the capabilities of cloud, including emerging technologies like generative AI. Having a clear understanding of the “what” and “why” can be game-changing.

AWS Training and Certification and AWS Enterprise Strategists have developed a new collection of digital training to provide a high-level picture of the benefits of cloud computing to c-suite leaders.

Intended for individuals in business or technology leadership roles, these short, snackable trainings featuring AWS Enterprise Strategists Jake Burns, Chris Hennessy, and Clarke Rodgers who each formerly served in a senior leadership role directing technology or financial strategy prior to AWS.

With a digital training aligned to each c-level role in the organization – CEO, CIO, CTO, CHRO, etc. – you’ll explore the cloud’s capabilities and business benefits for innovation and competitive advantage with guidance specific to the role you play in the organization’s use of cloud. Also included in the collection are courses focused on topics all leaders will want to better understand: digital transformation, data, generative AI, and cloud security.

Role-specific cloud training for c-suite executives

Cloud for CEOs (9 min.) gives chief executive officers/presidents a high-level picture of cloud computing technology. They will learn what cloud is, why they should consider cloud, and how to get started on the cloud adoption journey. Also available on YouTube.

Cloud for CFOs (13 min.) gives chief financial officers a high-level picture of cloud computing, key considerations to know before moving their organization to the cloud, their role during a cloud transformation, challenges they may experience, and how to engage with CIOs in a cloud migration. Also available YouTube.

Cloud for CIOs (9 min.) gives chief information officers, vice presidents, and directors of IT a high-level picture of cloud computing, reasons to consider moving to the cloud and how to be successful, and steps to get started. Also available on YouTube.

Cloud for CTOs (10 min.) gives chief technology officers a high-level picture of cloud computing technology, how it can help their organization adapt to customer needs, and deliver enhanced user experiences through scalable, cost-effective, and accessible technology solutions. The course also covers Agile development, DevOps strategy, AI, and ML. Also available on YouTube.

Cloud for CISOs (11 min.) gives chief information security officers and other managers/directors of security a high-level picture of cloud computing technology from a security perspective. They’ll explore why they should consider the cloud and how to build a culture of security and compliance program on AWS. They also explore ransomware mitigation. Also available on YouTube.

Cloud for CMOs (8 min.) gives chief marketing officers a high-level picture of cloud computing technology, and they’ll explore why they should consider the cloud from a marketing perspective. They review how to gain customer insights and increase marketing return on investment (ROI) with the cloud and how to get started with digital transformation. Also available on YouTube.

Cloud for Risk and Compliance Executives (11 min.) is designed for chief compliance officers, chief risk officers, and audit executives who are responsible for overseeing and managing risks and regulatory compliance issues within an organization. You’ll learn the importance of the cloud, how it can help you run effective governance, risk, and compliance programs, how to adapt your risk management and compliance functions for your cloud journey, and how cloud can help you with business transitions such as mergers and acquisitions. Also available on YouTube.

Cloud for Small Business Owners (13 min.) is designed for small business owners responsible for the direction of their own company, creating and managing a business plan, developing marketing campaigns, and strategizing ways to remain competitive and profitable. You’ll learn how to increase speed to market, how to build customer trust with ever-growing expectations, and how to leverage the accessibility of advanced technology to help your business compete globally and on a playing field with larger businesses. Also available on YouTube.

Cloud for CHROs (50 min.) is designed for human resources leaders responsible for developing and executing human resources strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of an organization. This course includes an interview with Ian Wilson, AWS VP of Human Resources, who discusses human resource strategies through digital transformation. You’ll learn how to implement talent development strategies and build high-performing teams in a successful digital transformation, gain a better understanding of the impact of generative AI on the future of work, and how HR can help IT leaders on their cloud journey. Also available on YouTube.

Topical digital training for executive leaders

Digital Transformation for Executives (7 min.) is for executive leaders who create and execute business strategies to learn what digital transformation is, why it’s important, and how to implement transformation. Also available on YouTube.

Generative AI for Executives (13 min.) gives executives a high-level picture of Generative AI. You’ll explore what Generative AI is and why it can address your business challenges, drive growth, and how Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize industries. Also available on YouTube. To explore all our trainings for generative AI, visit the AboutAmazon Blog.

Data for Executives (10 min.) helps executive leaders learn what a data strategy is, how it aligns with their overall business objectives, and gain a better understanding about the value of data and the transformative capabilities of using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Executives will also learn how to create a data-driven culture and how AWS can help enhance your organization’s capacity to use data effectively. Also available on YouTube.

Cloud Security Essentials for Executives (7 min.) provides executives and line of business leaders who create and execute business strategies, introduce policies, and ensure an organization reaches its goals, with a high-level explanation of cloud security. You’ll learn the importance of building security guardrails into your product life cycle, focus on security outcomes compared to security tools, and how to build a compliance program on AWS. Also available on YouTube.

Keep building your cloud knowledge with additional resources

Leaders at customer and AWS Partner organizations of all sizes can deepen their knowledge of cloud and its capabilities through longer-form training offerings.

  • Cloud: For decision makers across all types of organizations, the Decision Maker Learning Plan helps you build knowledge of the AWS Cloud, including AWS Cloud concepts, services, pricing, and support. You’ll gain foundational understanding across various AWS Cloud service areas including machine learning, security, and more.
  • Generative AI: The Generative AI Learning Plan for Decision Makers consists of three-courses (90-min total), Introduction to Generative AI – Art of the Possible, Planning a Generative AI Project, and Building a Generative AI-Ready Organization.
  • For executives at AWS Partners: A four-hour classroom course, AWS Partner: Building your Business with AWS for Executives, to help you explore how to integrate value-added services for AWS customers into your business model. You’ll learn how to increase your profitability by delivering a cloud-based portfolio.