As part of the UCLA Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS) OpenAI pilot initiative, UCLA Extension is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to transform how professional education programs are designed and delivered. By harnessing AI tools to analyze data and uncover actionable insights, the Extension’s Technical Management Program (TMP) is exploring new ways to make technical leadership training more effective, responsive, and aligned with real-world demands.
The Challenge
UCLA Extension has long served as a gateway to professional growth, offering industry-relevant programs tailored to working professionals. Among these is the Technical Management Program (TMP), a 40-hour leadership experience for engineers and technical leaders in government and industry. But keeping the curriculum responsive to changing workforce needs has been challenging. Traditional review methods, such as manual feedback analysis and static enrollment tracking, limited the team’s ability to adapt quickly and strategically.
The Solution
To address this, the ECP-TMP (Engineering Custom Programs-Technical Management Program) department launched an AI-driven pilot as part of the larger DTS OpenAI initiative. This project leverages OpenAI tools to evaluate student feedback, detect enrollment trends, and synthesize demand data into actionable insights. The goal: to make smarter, faster decisions about course content, sequence, and marketing strategies.
The team implemented a dynamic prompt-engineering workflow, paired with Kanban boards and iterative refinement sessions, to test and optimize AI-generated recommendations. This new process not only accelerates program planning, operations and development but also empowers cross-functional collaboration between academic program leaders, data analysts, and marketing specialists.
The Impact
Early outcomes are promising. The Technical Management Program in March 2025 resulted in 76 graduates, which included internal UCLA attendees. In addition, the Analog Mixed Signal Certificate, which consists of 6 courses, resulted in 19 graduates.
More importantly, student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, citing increased career prospects, flexible learning options, and high satisfaction with the course structure and content. Attendees have begun enrolling in the TMP Program for September 2025. Prospective students for the Analog Mixed Signal Program have shown interest in the upcoming cohort.
These results demonstrate the potential for AI to enhance both the impact and accessibility of UCLA Extension’s offerings, furthering the university’s public service mission through transformative, data-informed education.
Looking Ahead
As the TMP pilot progresses, UCLA Extension is poised to scale its AI-enhanced model across additional programs. With continued support from the DTS OpenAI initiative, the Extension aims to embed AI into ongoing program development, marketing, and learner engagement workflows. This forward-thinking approach aligns with UCLA’s broader digital transformation strategy—positioning UCLA Extension as a national leader in continuing education innovation.
Learn More
Discover how UCLA Extension is reimagining professional education: uclaextension.edu/engineering/technical-management-program
Learn more or explore collaboration opportunities with UCLA Digital & Technology Solutions.
