BUS 162 — Agentic AI for Workplace Productivity
Quarter: Spring
Instructor(s): Margaret Laffan
Date(s): Apr 11—Apr 12
Class Recording Available: No
Class Meeting Day: Saturday and Sunday
Class Meeting Time: 9:00 am—3:00 pm (PT)
Tuition: $510
Refund Deadline: Apr 4
Unit(s): 1
Enrollment Limit: 45
Status: Open
Quarter: Spring
Day: Saturday and Sunday
Duration: 2 days
Time: 9:00 am—3:00 pm (PT)
Date(s): Apr 11—Apr 12
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $510
Refund Deadline: Apr 4
Instructor(s): Margaret Laffan
Enrollment Limit: 45
Recording Available: No
Status: Open
Is the future of work autonomous? Agentic AI—systems that take initiative and execute tasks—is reshaping how organizations operate, from automating workflows and triaging communications to generating insights and reports. This course teaches professionals how to harness these systems to enhance productivity, align AI capabilities with business goals, and create measurable impact across business functions.
Through expert-led discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises, you’ll:
- Identify high-value opportunities for AI agents across key business areas and define effective task and decision handoffs between humans and AI
- Evaluate task fit and return on investment to ensure AI supports the most valuable work
- Apply change management frameworks, including the Rogers Technology Adoption Lifecycle, to assess readiness, design pilot programs, and lead cross-functional adoption
No technical background is required. This course will demonstrate third-party tools that are not managed or supported by Stanford. Students who wish to use these tools are welcome to sign up independently. Many tools offer free versions or free trials; paid subscriptions typically cost $25–$100 per month, depending on the tool. Please see the course syllabus for more details.
MARGARET LAFFAN
Cloud GTM Leader, Intel
Margaret Laffan leads Intel’s Cloud GTM function, where she drives strategy and execution across sales, marketing, product, and customer success to help transform the cloud and AI landscape. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the tech industry, with expertise across AI and SaaS companies, spanning sales, partnerships, engineering, and product development. Her focus is on revenue growth, budget optimization, and leading AI-enabled digital transformation initiatives, with particular interest in emerging areas such as agentic AI and AI agents.
Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.