upGrad and University of Waterloo sign MoU to launch AI-CTO program
MoU signed during IndiaAI discussions as executive AI credentials move beyond technical literacy to enterprise accountability.
upGrad and the University of Waterloo have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a Chief Technology and AI Officer program, targeting senior leaders responsible for translating AI strategy into measurable business outcomes.
The agreement was highlighted in a LinkedIn post by Mayank Kumar, Co-Founder of upGrad and BorderPlus, who referenced the signing ceremony alongside Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of AI and Digital Innovation, Soumen Roy of Tata Consultancy Services Canada, and University of Waterloo leadership, on the sidelines of IndiaAI discussions.
Kumar wrote that he had “the pleasure to sharing the honour of upGrad MoU Signing ceremony with Minister Evan Solomon - Canada's Minister of AI & Digital Innovation, Soumen Roy - Country Head of TCS Canada and Dr. Vivek Goel - President and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Waterloo alongwith Sanjeev Gill - Associate Vice-President Innovation, University of Waterloo - on the sideline of IndiaAI talking about impact of AI and Workforce Transformation.”
From AI experimentation to executive mandate
In his post, Kumar framed the program against what he described as a broader shift in how AI is positioned inside organizations.
He wrote: “AI has moved from an experimentative phase to a boardroom priority, and today’s CTOs and CXOs are expected to wield the augmented intelligence not just to drive systems, but strategy, capital allocation, governance, and measurable business outcomes.”
The six-month AI-CTO program will be delivered live online through WatSPEED at Waterloo and is designed for both current and aspiring technology leaders. According to Kumar, the aim is to equip participants to “translate AI ambition into real, measurable enterprise impact.”
The curriculum spans business–technology alignment, ROI modeling, governance, MLOps, and executive communication. Participants choose between entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship tracks, with an emphasis on applying AI across either venture-building or enterprise transformation contexts.
Credentialing AI leadership
Program materials state that participants will develop board-facing deliverables, including a 90-day CTO plan and strategic initiative dossiers. Fees are listed at GBP 8,800, with the next cohort scheduled to begin in March 2026.
The launch comes as governments formalize AI policy structures. Kumar wrote: “It is phenomenal to see governments appointing offices to lead AI transformation through policy - putting forth agendas for sustainable and sovereign AI infrastructure.”
Unlike entry-level AI literacy courses, the AI-CTO program is positioned explicitly around enterprise authority. The focus is not on learning tools, but on governing them. As AI budgets shift from innovation labs to executive oversight, credentials that combine technical fluency with financial and governance accountability may become more visible across executive education portfolios.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
