AI for Product Innovation Master of Engineering

Build AI applications that solve real problems. Duke’s unique, immersive Artificial Intelligence for Product Innovation Master of Engineering (AIPI MEng) program will prepare you with strong technical AI skills complemented by hands-on practical experience. AI product innovation is one of the foundational elements of our masters in applied AI program. You’ll also take business courses and complete a capstone project to build your leadership portfolio. Study online or on campus.

2-4 Semesters

12 months on campus or 24 months part-time online

8 Technical Courses

Learn in-demand knowledge and skills

2 Business Courses

Develop leadership and management skills

1 Capstone Project

A real-world experience that builds your portfolio

Learn to Apply AI & Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence is creating immense opportunities across every industry.

An ideal master’s degree for

  • A person with a computer science, engineering or science background who wants to develop innovative products
  • A working professional looking to advance their career
  • A Duke engineering undergraduate who wants to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years
a man and a woman sit by a projector screen at the front of a classroom filled with people

Choose Your Path

  • Significantly more affordable than a traditional master’s program—in this option, pay tuition for only two (2) full semesters plus three (3) summer session credits.

  • Pursue this degree over three (3) full semesters plus the summer session, allowing you time to take additional electives and specialize. Students pursuing this path may take a partial or whole load of courses during their final semester.

  • Work full-time while you pursue your AIPI MEng online over four (4) semesters, part-time.

  • Duke undergraduate students can complete an undergraduate degree and this master’s degree in just five (5) years.

    Scholarship opportunity: The AI 4+1 BSE+Master’s scholarship covers 20 percent of the costs. Eligibility and other conditions apply.

  • Medical students at Duke can complete this degree during their third year. See the School of Medicine bulletin for details.

    Scholarship opportunity: The MD+MEng AIPI scholarship covers 20 percent of the costs. Eligibility and other conditions apply.

Experience Applied AI Through Real Projects

The hallmark of Duke’s AIPI program is hands-on learning. From your first semester, you work with real datasets, real users and real engineering pipelines to design, build and deploy artificial intelligence systems under real-world constraints.

Instead of focusing only on theory, you’ll spend your time mastering applied AI topics, including supervised learning, deep learning, data engineering and model deployment pipelines. You’ll also learn how to pilot an AI product from concept to launch. By graduation, you’ll have a portfolio that you can present to prospective employers, setting you apart from other recent grads.

a group of AIPI students works together at a round table

Curriculum Overview

  • Summer Online Python & Data Science Math Boot Camp

    • Four (4) Technical AI/ML courses—a strong technical foundation
    • Three (3) Product Development courses—developed with Duke’s Law School and Fuqua School of Business, including the business, legal & ethical aspects of AI products
    • Three (3) Technical electives—specialize in preparation for your chosen career
    • Industry project—design a solution to an authentic opportunity offered by a sponsoring organization
    • A summer internship or industry project—gain industry experience
    • Learn from leaders building AI products during regular industry seminars
    • Jump-start your professional development with our Career Strategy and Design workshop for on-campus students
    • Meet peers and faculty during two (2) required residencies on the Duke campus for online students

Curriculum Schedules

The core of the curriculum follows a cohort-based course sequence. Select an option to view the schedule options.

  • Summer Fall Spring Summer
    Pre-requisite
    AIPI 503: Python & Data Science Math Bootcamp
    AIPI 510: Sourcing Data for Analytics MENG 540: Management of High-tech Industries AIPI 560: Legal, Societal & Ethical Implications of AI
      AIPI 520: Modeling Process & Algorithms AIPI 540: Deep Learning Applications AIPI 561: Operationalizing AI (MLOps)
    AIPI Departmental Elective AIPI 549: Industry Capstone Project Industry Internship or Project
    MENG 570: Business Fundamentals for Engineers Technical Elective 1  
    AIPI 501: Industry Seminar Series Technical Elective 2
    EGR 590: Career Strategy & Design  
  • Summer Fall 1 Spring Summer Fall 2
    Pre-requisite—
    AIPI 503: Python & Data Science Math Bootcamp
    AIPI 510: Sourcing Data for Analytics AIPI 540: Deep Learning Applications AIPI 560: Legal, Societal & Ethical Implications of AI AIPI Departmental Elective
      AIPI 520: Modeling Process & Algorithms AIPI 549: Industry Capstone Project AIPI 561: Operationalizing AI (MLOps) Technical Elective 2
    MENG 570: Business Fundamentals for Engineers MENG 540: Management of High-Tech Industries Industry Internship or Project  
    AIPI 501: Industry Seminar Series Technical Elective 1  
    EGR 590: Career Strategy & Design  
  • Pre-Program Year 1
    Summer  Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Pre-requisite
    AIPI 503:
    Python & Data Science Math Bootcamp
    AIPI 510:
    Sourcing Data for Analytics
    AIPI 520:
    Modeling Process & Algorithms
    AIPI 540:
    Deep Learning Applications
      MENG 570:
    Business
    Fundamentals for Engineers
    MENG 540:
    Management of
    High-Tech Industries
     
    AIPI 501:
    Industry Seminar Series
    On-Campus
    Residency
    Year 2
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    AIPI
    Departmental Elective
    AIPI 549:
    Industry Capstone Project
    AIPI 560: Legal,
    Societal & Ethical Implications of AI
    Technical
    Elective 1
    Technical
    Elective 3
    AIPI 561: Operationalizing
    AI (MLOps)
      On-Campus Residency

     

Compare Online and On-Campus

The choice of online or on-campus is up to you – all students take the same courses, learn from the same faculty, and earn the same Duke degree.

 ItemOnline (part-time)On-Campus (full-time)
Time to Degree
  • 24 months
  • 12 months or 16 months
Python & Data Science Math Boot Camp
  • Online 4-week part-time
  • Online 4-week part-time
Class Experience
  • Live and recorded classes
  • Online interaction with faculty and peers
  • Class attendance at Duke
  • In-person and online interaction with faculty and peers
Professional Development
  • Two spring residences on-campus at Duke
  • Industry seminar series
  • Industry seminar series
Academic Advising
  • Online interaction with a faculty advisor
  • In-person interaction during on-campus residencies
  • In-person and online interaction with a faculty advisor
Career Services & Professional Development

Why Duke for a Masters in Applied AI for Product Innovation?

The Duke MEng in AI for Product Innovation is one of the top applied AI/ML graduate programs in the world. We’ve created an immersive environment where you can learn artificial intelligence, machine learning and product innovation skills and prepare yourself for a future-ready career. Consider these key advantages of earning a masters in applied AI at Duke.

  • In Duke’s Master of Engineering in AI for Product Innovation, you don’t just learn models—you learn how to turn them into market-ready products. You’ll blend AI, full-stack software, product strategy and responsible innovation, drawing on resources across Duke Engineering, Duke Law and Fuqua. As part of the Institute for Enterprise Engineering, you’ll plug into a broader ecosystem of computing, cybersecurity, fintech and engineering management—ideal preparation to lead AI initiatives, not just contribute to them.

  • From your first semester, you’ll work on projects that look like real jobs, not homework. Courses are built around shipping working prototypes, deploying models and creating a portfolio that proves what you can do. A dedicated Machine Learning focus trains you to design, test, deploy and monitor AI systems at scale. You’ll learn directly from industry practitioners, complete an internship or project and tackle a semester-long capstone with an external sponsor—so by graduation, you’ve already done the work you want to be hired for.

  • AIPI is intentionally small and collaborative, bringing together students from around the world with computer science, engineering, data and domain backgrounds. You’ll receive close mentorship from accomplished faculty and collaborate with peers who know your goals and push your thinking. 

    Choose the format that fits your life—12- or 16-month on-campus or a 24-month part-time online option, with additional 4+1 and MD+MEng pathways. A pre-program online Python and data science bootcamp helps less traditional or non-CS students ramp up with confidence.

Career Outcomes That Match the Momentum of AI

Duke AIPI graduates are landing roles—and paychecks—that reflect the demand for applied AI talent. The program reports a 100% placement rate within 6 months of graduation and a median starting salary of $118,000 for recent grads.

You’ll be prepared for some of the most sought-after roles in tech and beyond, including:

  • Machine Learning Engineer/Senior ML Engineer
  • AI Engineer
  • Data Scientist/Senior Data Scientist

Graduates join organizations that are shaping how AI is used in the real world—at companies like OpenAI, Target’s AI Lab, Eli Lilly, Grubhub, Samsung, IBM, DoorDash, Fidelity, Intuit and Autodesk, across industries from tech and health care to energy, finance and retail. With dedicated engineering career services, employer events and a global Duke alumni network, you’ll have structured support to move into your next AI role.

Person selects machine learning icon on touchscreen display as they explore applied AI

Hear From Our Students

Our graduates are the best testament to the quality and real-world applicability of Duke’s applied AI program.

man smiling with trees and buildings behind him

I came across the Duke AI program and was blown away looking at how it’s structured and the courses that are available. It’s a perfect match with the pulse of the industry.

Mrinoy Banerjee AI for Product Innovation MEng, 2024
João Cardoso

I was looking at a lot of top schools when applying to graduate school, but I applied to the Master of Engineering in AI for Product Innovation at Duke because it was more of an applied AI program and very hands-on. Currently, I’m a software engineer at Yale. The project I’m working on now has machine learning components in the background that I understand because of my MEng degree.

João Cardoso AI for Product Innovation MEng, 2024

What Tech Leaders are Saying

Adnan Profile Image

There is a growing need for engineers with domain knowledge plus machine learning skills, and Duke’s AI for Product Innovation master’s and certificate programs help address that need with its focus on developing leaders who can apply advanced analytics to create new products & services.

Adnan Haider Senior Vice President, Analytics at Zafin, 2008 Duke Engineering Master’s Graduate
Tarun Profile Image

The strength of Duke’s reputation in AI and Machine Learning, combined with the focus on applying these technologies to solve the world’s big challenges in healthcare, retail, energy and beyond, make Duke the logical choice for someone interested in pursuing education in this space.

Tarun Thapar Head of Product, Amazon Business, 2015 Duke Engineering Master’s Graduate

Partnered with Industry

Duke’s AIPI curriculum was created from scratch and designed with heavy input from AI leaders across industries. Our faculty come with experience at the top of the tech industry and in successful startups prior to joining Duke. We work closely with industry partners who provide real-world projects for your Capstone Project experience, including some of the leading large techology, healthcare IT, and retail companies.

Jon Reifschneider Profile Photo
Jon Reifschneider Profile Photo

Jon Reifschneider

Executive Director, AI for Product Innovation Master’s Program

Brinnae Bent Profile Photo
Brinnae Bent Profile Photo

Brinnae Bent

Executive in Residence in the Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs

Xu Chen Profile Photo
Xu Chen Profile Photo

Xu Chen

Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Pratt School of Engineering

Natalia Summerville Profile Photo
Natalia Summerville Profile Photo

Natalia Summerville

Adjunct Associate Professor in the Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs

FAQ for the AI for Product Innovation (AIPI) MEng

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to help you decide whether the AIPI MEng is right for you.

  • The AIPI program is a professional master’s degree that teaches you how to design and build applied artificial intelligence systems. Coursework and labs focus on the deployment and innovation side of AI through a combination of product development principles, machine learning methodologies and software engineering.

  • Duke’s masters in applied AI program consists of 30 credit hours, which you can complete on campus in just 12 to 16 months full time. As you gain valuable experience in AI and machine learning, you’ll also build a project portfolio as part of your capstone. 

    For busier students, Duke offers a four-semester online graduate program that you can complete in 24 months while attending part time. This is a great option for working professionals who already hold a related degree but would like to learn new machine learning and artificial intelligence skills.

  • Most students come from engineering, math, computer science or related technical fields. If you have strong programming experience and quantitative skills, you can thrive in the AIPI program. We also offer a pre-program online Python and data science bootcamp to help less traditional or non-CS students ramp up with confidence.

  • Duke’s Master of Engineering in AI for Product Innovation is built around one goal: helping you create ethical AI-powered products. From day one, you’ll work on real projects that blend machine learning, MLOps, evaluation and product design so you graduate with a portfolio that employers can see and test.

    And Duke ensures you know how to build AI systems that are safe, reliable and ethical. Faculty weave topics like bias, privacy, explainability and regulation into the technical curriculum, so you’re prepared to deploy AI that people can actually trust and use.

Ready to Advance Your Career in Applied AI?

The masters in applied AI for product innovation at the Duke Pratt School of Engineering positions you to step into a career of the future. You’ll learn valuable skills in artificial intelligence applications while making industry connections that will help you take that next leap. Ready to learn more? Apply today or contact our admissions team.

Coding language on a computer monitor, potentially for an AI product

AI Foundations for Product Innovation Graduate Certificate

4-course online graduate program

  • Complete part-time in just 15 months
  • 100% online
  • Ideal for working professionals
  • Gain new skills in AI and machine learning

Incoming master's students pose on the Harrington Quad in front of the Hudson Building.
9/19/25 Pratt School of Engineering

How GSPS Shapes Student Life at Duke Engineering

The Graduate Student Programs & Services team provides a uniquely embedded support system that empowers master’s and PhD students from around the globe to thrive academically, professionally and personally.

Events

Feb 6

Ramen & Game Day

Join your fellow Pratt grad students for a fun afternoon of games, ramen, and friendly competition! Sign up in advance, arrive by 3:00 PM, and finish a full bowl of […]

2:30 pm – 2:30 pm