WatSPEED and upGrad Partner to Deliver a Global AI-CTO Program for Senior Leaders

A six-month AI-CTO program empowering executives to lead AI, technology strategy and enterprise transformation. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) December 13, 2025 - WatSPEED at the University of Waterloo has launched a new Chief Technology and AI Officer (AI-CTO) program, a six-month executive online offering designed to help senior technology leaders turn advanced architectures and AI innovation into measurable business growth. Developed by Waterloo faculty and supported by industry experts, the program blends technical AI knowledge with financial strategy, organizational transformation skills, and responsible governance practices. Enrolments and learner support will be managed by upGrad within Waterloo’s academic framework.

According to Myleeta AgaWilliams of upGrad, AI has transitioned from experimentation to full-scale enterprise adoption, creating a need for leaders who can combine algorithmic expertise with strategic foresight. Aaron Pereira of WatSPEED emphasized that the program reflects Waterloo’s strengths in innovation and systems engineering by integrating engineering depth with executive fluency.

Targeted at CTOs, CIOs, CAIOs, CDOs, and senior technology teams, the 25-week curriculum covers strategic leadership, emerging technologies, and applied decision-making. Participants explore business alignment, cloud and AI systems, MLOps, FinOps, and methods for communicating board-level narratives that clearly express value, risk, and impact.

The program culminates in immersive real-world simulations, where leaders respond to crises and navigate high-stakes decisions. Graduates earn a University of Waterloo certificate and complete practical deliverables such as a 90-day CTO plan and a transformation playbook. Through its applied learning model - including simulations, decision labs, and strategy workshops - the AI-CTO program equips leaders to operate confidently and effectively in complex enterprise environments.

Sources: https://uwaterloo.ca/news/university-waterloo-launches-ai-cto-program
upGrad: https://www.upgrad.com/

###

space

Other Related Press Releases