Designing Magical Experiences with Gen AI
FacultyDiogo Rendeiro
Advance Your Career with Carnegie Mellon Faculty
In-person Advanced Programs in AI, Data Science and Machine Learning; AI Product Management; and AI for User Experience Design for mid-to-senior professionals and leaders in Portugal's tech and innovation ecosystem. Developed in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and leading Portuguese universities.
385+
Applications in 2025
9%
Acceptance Rate
98%
Completion Rate
10
Programs Offered
AI Program Assistant
Ask anything about our programs
Get instant answers about courses, pricing, admissions, faculty, and schedules.
Tuition & pricing
How to apply
Class schedules
Scholarships
Short courses
Faculty
CMU Academy AI
Powered by AI · Information may not be fully up to date · Contact us for confirmation
How We Deliver
Programs for Every Stage of Your Career
Advanced Programs
9-month in-person Advanced Programs in Lisbon (Sep–Jun). Deep, rigorous training in AI, Product Management, or UX with CMU and Portuguese university faculty.
View Programs →Short Courses
4-weekend intensive courses designed for professionals seeking focused upskilling in AI applications for business and product management.
View Courses →Executive Intensives
3-to-5-day leadership sprints for C-suite executives and senior leaders. Focused, high-impact sessions on AI strategy and product leadership.
View Intensives →Corporate Programs
Custom team transformation programs for organizations. Three tracks available: AI, Product Management, and UX. Designed for teams of 10-25.
Learn More →
Program Finder
Find the Right Program for You
Browse our portfolio of executive programs developed with Carnegie Mellon University faculty and leading Portuguese institutions.
Advanced Program
AI, Data Science and Machine Learning Advanced Program
Comprehensive 9-month, in-person Advanced Program in Lisbon covering AI, machine learning, deep learning, NLP, and applied AI. Hands-on capstone with industry mentors. Coordinated by Prof. João Magalhães.
Advanced Program
AI Product Management Advanced Program
Master product strategy, discovery, and delivery in this 9-month, in-person Advanced Program. AI-assisted rapid prototyping, AI product tools, and real-world case studies with Feedzai, Farfetch, and Waze. Co-directed by Diogo Rendeiro and Oren Zuckerman.
Advanced Program
AI for User Experience Design Advanced Program
UX research, interaction design, and AI-assisted prototyping. Faculty from IST Técnico, Carnegie Mellon, and industry, coordinated by Prof. Sónia Rafael.
Short Course
AI for Business Transformation
Develop a 90-to-180-day AI implementation roadmap for your organization. From strategy to execution, learn to lead AI transformation initiatives.
Executive Intensive
Leadership Sprint: AI Strategy
A 3-day intensive for C-suite executives. Develop your organization's AI vision, assess readiness, and build an actionable leadership framework.
Executive Intensive
Leadership Sprint: Product Leadership
A 3-day intensive for SVPs and division leaders on building product-led organizations. Strategic frameworks, team structures, and innovation governance.
Executive Intensive
5-Day AI Intensives
Function-specific deep dives in AI for Marketing, Operations, Finance, Product, Sales, and Customer Success. Tailored for domain practitioners.
Corporate Program
Corporate Team Transformation
Custom 3-to-5-day or 6-to-8-week programs for teams of 10-25. Three tracks available: AI, Product Management, and UX. Measurable ROI framework included.
Masterclass
Guest Faculty Masterclasses
Single-session masterclasses with world-renowned CMU faculty including Adam Perer (Visual Analytics), Nikolas Martelaro (Human-Robot Interaction), and Jodi Forlizzi.
Why CMU Portugal Academy
Where Carnegie Mellon Meets Lisbon
A unique partnership between Carnegie Mellon University and Portugal's leading research universities, delivering executive education at the intersection of technology and business.
01
CMU Faculty & Curriculum
Programs designed and taught by Carnegie Mellon University professors alongside top Portuguese university faculty from Instituto Superior Técnico (UL), NOVA FCT (UNL), Ciências ULisboa, and Faculdade de Belas Artes (UL).
02
Highly Selective Admissions
With a 9% acceptance rate from 385+ applications, you join a cohort of exceptional professionals committed to advancing their expertise.
03
Industry-Connected Learning
Capstone projects with real companies, mentorship from industry leaders at Feedzai, Farfetch, and Waze, and a growing alumni network across Portugal.
04
Capstone Projects with Real Companies
Every advanced program culminates in a capstone project with a real organization. Past cohorts have worked with teams at Feedzai, Farfetch, and startups across Portugal’s tech ecosystem.
05
Built for Working Professionals
Friday–Saturday format, 98% completion rate. Our cohorts are mid-to-senior professionals averaging 10+ years of experience who balance learning with leadership roles.
06
Made possible by the Santander Foundation
The market value of our Advanced Programs is approximately €10,000 per participant. Tuition is reduced to €2,200–€2,650 because the Santander Foundation supports the Academy, opening Carnegie Mellon-level education to working professionals across Portugal and beyond. Over 1,000 professionals benefit in 2026.
Faculty
Our Faculty
44 faculty members across the three Advanced Programs — Carnegie Mellon University, Portuguese partner institutions, and industry leaders.
André Falcão
Anna Abovyan
Artur Guimarães
Asaf Barzilay
Bruno Martins
Cátia Pesquita
Chryssa Zerva
Dania Afonso
Daniel Gonçalves
David Semedo
Diogo Rendeiro
Dudu Noy
Fabio Caldeira
Greg Sherwin
João Ferreira
João Magalhães
João Moreira
Joel Fernandes
Mafalda Ferreira
Manuel Fonseca
Márcia Marranita
Maria Inês Lobo
Marta Ferreira
Nikolas Martelaro
Nuno Jardim Nunes
Nuno Preguiça
Oren Zuckerman
Patricia Cadete
Paulo Marques
Pedro Janela
Rafael Ferreira
Raquel Yam
Rodrigo Rodrigues
Rui Prada
Sandra Gama
Skip Shelley
Sónia Rafael
Susana Sanches Pato
Teresa Almeida
Tiago Machado
Tiago Mindrico
Tomás Alves
Vasco Ramos
Free & Open to All
Masterclasses
Recorded sessions from CMU Portugal Academy faculty — free to watch, with no registration required. New masterclasses are added throughout the year.
Enhancing Human-AI Decision-Making with Visualization
FacultyAdam Perer
Building to See, Building to Act: Creating Interactive Devices to Help You Observe and Prototype Interactions In-the-Wild
FacultyNikolas Martelaro
Student Stories
What Our Alumni Say
The AI program completely transformed how I approach data-driven decision making. The blend of CMU rigor with practical Portuguese industry context was exceptional.
The Product Management program gave me frameworks I use daily. The vibe coding prototyping sessions and mentorship from Feedzai and Waze professionals were career-changing.
The UX program's access to the XR Studio and Human-AI Interaction modules put me ahead of the curve. Prof. Nuno Jardim Nunes brings a perspective you simply cannot find elsewhere.
Leadership
Meet Our Executive Director
Raquel Yam is Executive Director of the CMU Portugal Academy and the Interactive Technologies Institute. She oversees the design, coordination, and delivery of the Academy's executive education programs, working with faculty from Carnegie Mellon University and Portuguese partner institutions and with corporate sponsors.
Raquel Yam
Executive Director, CMU Portugal Academy
Our Partners
Admissions
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026/2027 edition will open soon. Here's what the process will look like when you're ready to join our next cohort of exceptional professionals.
01
Choose Your Program
Browse our programs and select the one that aligns with your career goals and experience level.
02
Submit Application
Complete the online application form with your CV, motivation letter, and professional references.
03
Interview
Selected candidates are invited for an interview with the program coordinator and admissions committee.
04
Enrollment
Accepted candidates receive their offer letter. Secure your place with enrollment confirmation and payment.
For Organizations
Custom Programs for Your Teams
We design tailored learning experiences for organizations looking to upskill their teams in AI, Product Management, or User Experience Design.
Three tracks: AI, Product Management, UX
Flexible format: 3-5 days intensive or 6-8 week program
Teams of 10-25 participants
Measurable ROI framework included
CMU & Portuguese university faculty
Get in Touch
Contact Us
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What language are the programs taught in?
All programs are taught in English, with some guest sessions and materials also available in Portuguese. Faculty are international, with professors from Carnegie Mellon University and Portuguese partner institutions.
Can I work full-time while enrolled?
Yes. Our advanced programs follow a Friday-Saturday schedule (Fri 16:30–20:00, Sat 9:00–13:00) specifically designed for working professionals. Short courses run over 4 weekends or 7 evening sessions.
What are the prerequisites?
Advanced programs require a bachelor's degree and relevant professional experience. Short courses are open to professionals at any level. Executive intensives are designed for C-suite and senior leaders with 10+ years of experience.
Why is tuition so much lower than market value?
The market value of our Advanced Programs is approximately €10,000 per participant. The Santander Foundation supports the Academy so we can offer the programs at €2,200–€2,650 to working professionals. This is not an individual scholarship—every admitted student benefits from the same reduced tuition.
What happens if I withdraw after registering?
Registration is binding. You have a 14-day statutory cooling-off period from the date of registration during which you may withdraw and receive a full refund, in line with Portuguese and EU consumer law. After that period, the full tuition is due regardless of attendance, and withdrawals do not entitle the participant to a refund. We strongly recommend confirming your availability and commitment before accepting a place.
Where do programs take place?
Programs are held in-person in Lisbon, at the Academia Santander campus. Some masterclasses and select modules may include online components.
What do I receive upon completion?
Graduates receive a certificate from CMU Portugal Academy, jointly recognized by Carnegie Mellon University and the Portuguese partner universities (IST, NOVA FCT, Ciências ULisboa, and Faculdade de Belas Artes ULisboa).