.png)
.svg)
.svg)
Chief Technology and AI Officer Program
.png?width=28&height=28&name=Shape%20(44).png){kind=small}
Join 225,000+ University of Waterloo alumni
.png?width=20&height=19&name=Shape%20(46).png){kind=small}
.png?width=18&height=18&name=Shape%20(47).png){kind=small}
.png?width=980&height=980&name=Untitled%20design%20(4).png)
Why Enroll in the
AI-CTO Program?
100%
Live
University of Waterloo Faculty + Industry Leaders
-1.png)
Dual Tracks
Intrapreneurship and Entrepreneurship
.png)
Board Room Influence
Build strategic tech insight that earns you a voice in the boardroom
.png)
Startup Incubation
-1.png)
Highly Ranked
Crafted for tech leaders by a global top 100 university (THE World Reputation Rankings 2025)
%20(2).png)
Chief Technology & AI Officer (AI-CTO) Program – University of Waterloo
Course Snapshot
-
50+
Years of Legacy
-
THE Global Top 100
World Reputation Ranking 2025
-
QS Canada #5
Ranking
- Tech + Finance Fluency: Master both code and capital — from microservices, MLOps, and FinOps to P&L, pricing, and unit economics. Few programs teach both. We do.
- Hands-On Learning, Board-Level Thinking: Build eight real-world deliverables — from strategy plans to board decks — and learn to speak the language of executives.
- Two Tracks. One Challenge: Choose Entrepreneurship (venture building, fundraising, IPO prep) or Intrapreneurship (innovation and transformation at scale). Both end with War Games — live crisis simulations that test your leadership under pressure.
- Elite Mentors. Real Outcomes: Learn from Waterloo professors, CTOs, founders, and VCs. Pitch to Velocity for startup incubation or tap into Waterloo’s powerful industry network for next-level career opportunities.
.webp)
About the University
- Unleash the extraordinary at Waterloo, the powerhouse shaping tomorrow’s AI leaders.
- With a legacy of bold innovation, Waterloo has produced world-changing founders and ranks among the top global schools for unicorn creation.
- The Kitchener-Waterloo startup ecosystem, valued at US$2.8–3.4 billion, is driven by Waterloo talent.
- Sam Altman calls it “the best up-and-coming startup city in the world,” while Paul Graham praises its steady stream of exceptional founders.
- The AI-CTO program brings together leadership, AI, and technology to invent the future.
- At Waterloo, you do more than study. You join a network that builds companies, leads change, and powers the AI revolution.
The University of Waterloo
Where Technology, AI and Leadership Converge
Chief Technology and AI Officer Program Curriculum
Week 1
The Modern CTO
- Role in startup, scale-up, and enterprise contexts.
- First 90 days – what matters, what doesn’t.
- Building executive presence fast.
Week 2
Business-Technology Alignment
- P&L and ROI modelling; unit economics.
- Financial cases for tech investment.
- Using OKRs to link engineering to outcomes.
Week 3
Building Teams & Culture
- Talent strategy and succession.
- Engineering culture and psychological safety.
- Diversity and inclusion in practice.
Weeks 4-6
Architecture & Platform
- Modern patterns: microservices, serverless, DevSecOps.
- Platform engineering & developer experience.
- CI/CD, observability, and zero-trust security.
Weeks 7-9
Data, AI & Emerging Tech
- Modern data stack and governance.
- GenAI architecture – RAG, fine-tuning, prompt design.
- MLOps lifecycle & AI economics (ROI/TCO).
- Responsible AI – ethics & explainability.
Weeks 10-12
Scaling Operations
- Engineering excellence (DORA/SPACE metrics).
- Developer productivity & workflow design.
- FinOps models & vendor management.
- Global architecture & disaster recovery.
Week 13-14
Board Dynamics & Communication
- Presenting complex tech to non-technical boards.
- Influence and storytelling for decision buy-in.
Week 15-16
Transformation & Change Leadership
- Driving digital programmes and measuring ROI.
- Managing resistance and stakeholder alignment.
Week 17-18
Ethical AI & Governance
- Building accountability structures and audit trails.
- Balancing innovation with regulation.
Weeks 19-25
Venture Building Fundamentals
- Market discovery, validation, and product–market fit.
- Building minimum viable products (MVPs) and early traction models.
- Fund-raising strategy, investor targeting, and financial modeling.
- Growth engineering, scaling, and exit-readiness planning.
Weeks 19-25
War Games — VC Pitch & Crisis Simulation
- High-pressure simulation of VC pitch, investment negotiation, and valuation defense.
- Multi-crisis simulation: investor withdrawal, product failure, and reputation recovery.
Weeks 19-25
Venture Building Fundamentals
- Leading transformation programs and managing cross-functional adoption.
- Platform modernization, ROI tracking, and vendor governance.
- Driving innovation at scale while maintaining compliance and risk balance.
- Designing technology roadmaps that align with business value creation.
Weeks 19-25
War Games — VC Pitch & Crisis Simulation
- Board-level pitch for enterprise transformation with multi-scenario crisis response.
- Live simulation of regulatory shock, data breach, or M&A-driven disruption.
Program Fees: GBP 7,300
Chief Technology and AI Officer Program Eligibility & Admissions
How to apply to the Program?
The program's selective admissions process is crafted to identify exceptional candidates. To secure a spot in the program, you must complete the following steps.
While most AI-CTO participants bring over a decade of experience, we also welcome rising leaders who drive impact—those managing teams of 10+ technology professionals or championing innovation as founders of product-first companies
Submit Application
Submit your Application with your education and work experience details.
Submit your Application with your education and work experience details.
Read More
Submit Documents
Upload your education and work experience documents
Upload your education and work experience documents
Read More
Receive Acceptance Letter
Once all your documents have been successfully verified, receive your acceptance letter.
Once all your documents have been successfully verified, receive your acceptance letter.
Read More
Block Your Seat
Pay the block amount mentioned in your offer letter to reserve your seat
Pay the block amount mentioned in your offer letter to reserve your seat
Read More
upGrad Learner Support
Available from 9 AM to 8 PM GMT (Monday - Friday).
Phone Number
Email Address
*All telephone calls will be recorded for training and quality purposes.
*If we are unavailable to attend to your call, it is deemed that we have your consent to contact you in response.
