2U and Microsoft Launch CxO Edge on edX: A Practical AI Program for Global Executives
2U and Microsoft are launching CxO Edge: Run your business on AI-a new online executive program arriving first on edX in early 2026. Announced at Microsoft Ignite, this three-week experience is built to help leaders move beyond pilots and into enterprise performance.
If you're holding AI investments that aren't translating into outcomes yet, this program was created to close that gap with judgment, governance, and measurable impact.
Why this matters for the C-suite
According to Microsoft's 2025 Work Trend Index, 82% of leaders say this year is a reset point for strategy and operations as companies evolve into "Frontier Firms" that integrate human-AI collaboration. edX data backs this up: 58% of workers see a shortage of AI expertise in their industry, and nearly two-thirds of managers plan to upskill to keep pace.
What you'll get in three weeks
- Case studies from Microsoft's work with enterprise customers, showing what actually drives value.
- Practical toolkits and templates to align AI initiatives with business outcomes.
- An executive strategy lab to design a 90-day proof of value you can take to your board.
Each module pushes for action over theory-producing artifacts and decisions executives can use immediately.
Who it's for
- C-suite leaders, founders, and senior partners across industries.
- Executives ready to move from experimentation to measurable performance.
What Microsoft and 2U are saying
"The pace of AI adoption means every executive needs to learn-and lead-faster," said Andy Morgan, Chief Partnerships Officer at 2U. "Through edX, we can take Microsoft's deep enterprise AI expertise and make it accessible to executives around the world, right when they're under pressure to translate experimentation into transformation."
"AI is reshaping how every business operates, and executives need practical frameworks they can apply immediately," said Geoff Hirsch, Head of Training Partner Channel at Microsoft. "CxO Edge brings together what we've learned helping thousands of organizations transform with AI. By bringing the course to edX, we can scale this program online to reach C-suite leaders globally, giving them the specific tools and frameworks they need to lead AI transformation in their organizations."
Delivery, timing, and discounts
The program launches first on edX in early 2026. 2U is offering a significant discount to Ignite attendees and the first 100 people outside the conference who enroll. Pre-enroll here: CxO Edge: Run your business on AI.
Why this partnership has weight
- Microsoft was the first company to offer professional certificates on edX over a decade ago.
- edX has driven more than 10 million enrollments in Microsoft courses and helped set a Guinness World Record during this year's AI Skills Fest.
- In the past six months alone, Microsoft delivered 56 courses across 18 programs on edX, attracting 40,000+ new learners.
How to turn this into enterprise results
- Pick two high-friction workflows with clear cost or revenue impact; set success metrics before you start.
- Establish lightweight governance: data access, risk thresholds, human-in-the-loop checkpoints.
- Run a 90-day proof of value with weekly executive reviews; kill what doesn't work, double down on what does.
- Translate wins into a portfolio: standards, procurement, security, and a funding model tied to outcomes.
Access for individuals and teams
CxO Edge will be available to individual learners via edX.org and to organizations through the edX Enterprise Catalogue, making it easy to upskill leadership at scale.
About 2U
2U is a global education technology company whose platform, edX, connects more than 99 million people with thousands of affordable, career-aligned learning opportunities in partnership with 250+ leading universities, institutions, and industry experts.
Next steps
- Pre-enroll: CxO Edge on edX
- Browse executive-focused AI programs by job role: Complete AI Training
Media Contact: 2U - media@2u.com
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