Abdulhakeem Olaoluwa earned a Graduate Certificate in Generative AI and Machine Learning for Business* in addition to an MBA in business analytics and marketing from Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business in 2025. Adding the certificate to his studies was a valuable move.
“The overlap made both programs stronger for me. Some MBA courses touched on AI concepts, so pairing them with deeper, more technical AI coursework allowed me to connect the theory with hands-on practice,” Olaoluwa said. “I compared notes across classes, got exposed to different perspectives from different professors, and applied the concepts quickly. That pushed me ahead in class discussions and gave me a more well-rounded understanding of AI in business.”
Today, Olaoluwa is a digital solution advisor for SAP, a leading global provider of enterprise application software. In the role, he listens to customers’ business challenges and determines what SAP solutions align with their needs. He supports product demos and creates digital assets and materials to explain his recommendations.
Olaoluwa joined SAP in 2024 as a customer experience solutions specialist, the same year he became head of committee operations for the company’s U.S. Internship Experience Program—a position he still holds.
“The certificate gave me a strong foundation. Now I understand AI concepts at a deeper level, speak more confidently with customers, and recognize where AI adds value in business scenarios,” he said.
Through the certificate, Olaoluwa explored data cleaning and machine learning techniques. He also became more adept at communicating technical concepts to leaders and making decisions based on their feedback.
“We spent a lot of time on the ethical side of AI, which is really important,” he said. “Overall, the certificate gave me a solid grounding in how to use AI the right way and build something useful.”
As part of his coursework, Olaoluwa completed hands-on assignments involving prompt engineering and LLM-based tools. He leverages those skills daily at SAP.
Olaoluwa is currently collaborating with friends in the U.S. and in his home country of Nigeria on an AI platform. While he can’t divulge all the details, he can discuss the project’s practicality and accessibility.
“Our focus is on improving access, reducing everyday friction, and making certain processes more transparent for regular people. It’s still early, but the goal is to build something simple, helpful, and genuinely impactful,” he said. “When I mention improving access, I’m referring to helping people connect more easily with services that can sometimes be difficult or inefficient to coordinate. In many places, systems aren’t always well-connected, creating unnecessary delays and complexity.”
Because of the AI savvy he has acquired, Olaoluwa feels secure about the stability of his career.
“AI is becoming part of everything, so having both business knowledge and AI proficiency makes me feel prepared for the future,” he said.
*During Olaoluwa’s enrollment, the program was called the Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Business Innovation.