Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program from Wharton Executive Education equips senior technology leaders and aspiring CTOs to align innovation with business strategy, integrate AI and emerging technologies at enterprise scale, and lead organizational transformation. In a business economy that is rapidly changing, the CTO must act as both a strategist and a change agent, aligning AI and technology investments with business priorities, influencing executive decision making, and accelerating sustainable growth and competitive advantage for their organizations.

Led by expert Wharton faculty, this 9- to 12-month executive education program combines core modules on emerging technologies, innovation leadership, and execution frameworks with customizable electives. You emerge from the program with a C-suite leadership mindset and advanced insights to champion innovation, translate AI and emerging technologies into business value, scale technology solutions, and shape the future of your enterprise.

Program Highlights

Glean fresh insights from global industry experts with guest lectures throughout the program
Examine real-world business cases and understand how to apply the learnings to your job immediately
Interact with and learn from high-achieving peers from around the globe and build your professional network
Participate in a capstone project that addresses a real-world technology issue your organization might be facing

PROGRAM DETAILS

Duration: 9-12 months

Location:
Blended (Online + In Person)^*

*Includes an optional two-day immersion on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, USA

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Pricing does not include accommodation for the on-campus recognition ceremony and networking event, and transport expenses (domestic, international, visa fee, and more).

What AI skills and insights will you gain from the Chief Technology Officer Program?

Real-World Tech Strategies
Explore real-world case studies that demonstrate how technology capabilities evolve from pilots to scalable systems, strengthening performance and competitive advantage.

Technical AI Leadership
Build, integrate, and scale AI solutions responsibly across the enterprise. Deepen your understanding of large language models, agentic systems, and the evolving AI stack through practical insights from expert-led live sessions.

Insights for AI Decision Making
Lead AI transformation through expert-led live sessions on generative AI, agentic AI, responsible AI governance, the AI stack ecosystem, and AI strategy and enterprise Integration. Strengthen trust, fairness, and collaboration across human–AI workflows.

Tech Strategy in Practice
Leverage emerging technologies to strengthen competitive advantage and drive innovation across markets and ecosystems. Explore the program modules to understand how CTOs evaluate and scale technological innovations to meet organizational goals.

What will you learn in the live AI sessions?

In addition to the core curriculum, the CTO Program features live online sessions on the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and generative AI (genAI). Led by industry leaders and experienced faculty, these sessions explore practical applications of AI and ML to enhance productivity and customer experience, support strategic decision making, automate complex processes, and drive responsible innovation and governance.

Generative AI: Capabilities, Risks, and Use Cases
Explore how AI and ML can drive executive decision making, optimize business processes, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Agentic AI and the Future of Autonomous Technology
Understand how professionals are leveraging emerging technologies like AI, genAI, and ML to reshape workforce dynamics, adapt to big data-driven processes, and foster innovation, redefining the human-AI collaboration frontier.

Responsible AI: Ethics, Regulation, and Governance
Dive into the evolving regulatory landscape of AI, discussing key laws, governance frameworks, and strategies for implementing responsible AI practices.

The AI Stack Ecosystems
Explore how chips, cloud infrastructure, foundation models, and applications form the AI stack, shaping the opportunities and constraints of generative AI. Gain strategic insights into the interdependencies driving innovation and the strategic leadership strategies needed to stay competitive.

AI Strategy and Enterprise Integration
Align AI initiatives with business goals and human–AI collaboration. Mitigate risks such as hallucination and deskilling while bridging AI’s technical potential with practical implementation.

Note: Topics and the schedule are subject to change.

Program Format

The CTO Program combines an online curriculum of 18 weeks of core modules plus 18 weeks of electives, culminating in two days of invaluable on-campus connection and networking. Choose three out of eight topical electives (six weeks each) to gain relevant skill sets specific to the CTO role.

Three core modules

(Eighteen weeks)

Technology Strategy	Technology Trends
Mastering Innovation: Tools, Techniques, and Execution

Three online electives

(Six weeks each)

High-Impact Leadership Communication	Technology Acceleration Program
Driving Strategic Innovation: Leading Complex Initiatives for Impact	Leading a Technology-Driven Organization
Product Management and Strategy	Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development
Corporate Governance: Maximize Your Effectiveness in the Boardroom	Mergers and Acquisitions
Corporate Development Strategies

Two-day on-campus recognition ceremony and networking event

Who Should Attend

Whether you are tasked with developing your company’s strategy for enhancing technological improvements or identifying and implementing new technologies, you will benefit from this comprehensive program. CTOs, aspiring CTOs, and senior executives who aim to lead the technology strategy of a company — as well as VPs of engineering, software architects, or senior technology executives tasked with developing strategy or identifying and implementing new technologies — will also benefit from this informative learning experience. You will emerge with a firm grasp and clear understanding of frameworks that ensure your organization excels in these evolving times.

A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience and fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Pathway to Wharton Alumni Status

After completing the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program and subsequent open-enrollment programs, subject to further qualification criteria and additional tuition, you have a pathway to apply for Wharton Alumni Status.

Executives who successfully complete the CTO Program have the option of applying to the General Management Program (GMP), the Advanced Finance Program (AFP), or the Owner/President/CEO Program (OPC).

Upon qualifying for Wharton Alumni Status, you will be eligible to receive:

Full access to become a member of 77+ Wharton Alumni Clubs
Invitation to attend future Wharton Global Alumni Forums
A Wharton forwarding email address

Please also note that participation in the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Program (a) will not result in a degree from, alumni status with, or earned credit at the University of Pennsylvania or the Wharton School (or, to Wharton’s knowledge, any other institution), (b) will not be recorded on a University of Pennsylvania or Wharton transcript; and (c) does not guarantee or suggest that a participant will be admitted to the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School, or to any other university or institution.

To learn more, please contact:

+1.561.486.7448
wharton_cto@emeritus.org

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Delivered in collaboration with program partner Emeritus:

Lori Rosenkopf, PhDSee Faculty Bio

Simon and Midge Palley Professor; Professor of Management; Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship, The Wharton School

Gad Allon, PhDSee Faculty Bio

Jeffrey A. Keswin Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Operations management and operations strategy

David Hsu, PhDSee Faculty Bio

Jeffrey A. Keswin Professor; Richard A. Sapp Professor; Professor of Management; Director, Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Intellectual property rights, startup innovation, strategies for commercializing technological innovation, venture capital

Witold Henisz, PhDSee Faculty Bio

Vice Dean and Faculty Director, Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative; Deloitte & Touche Professor of Management in Honor of Russell E. Palmer, former Managing Partner

Research Interests: Political and social risk management; project management; ESG integration; stakeholder engagement

Exequiel Hernandez, PhDSee Faculty Bio

Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Professor of Management, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Immigration, global networks, firm internationalization, innovation, corporate strategy

Rahul Kapoor, PhDSee Faculty Bio

David W. Hauck Professor; Professor of Management, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Innovation, technology management and strategy, industry evolution, firm boundaries, business ecosystems

Harbir Singh, PhDSee Faculty Bio

Mack Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management; Wharton School Faculty Director for the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Corporate governance, corporate restructuring, management buyouts, strategies for corporate acquisitions

Karl Ulrich, ScDSee Faculty Bio

CIBC Endowed Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Professor of Management; Dean’s Office Advisor on Asia Strategy, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Environmental issues, product design and development, innovation

Kevin Werbach, JDSee Faculty Bio

Liem Sioe Liong/First Pacific Company Professor; Professor and Department Chairperson of Legal Studies & Business Ethics; Vice Dean, MBA Program for Executives, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Business, legal, and social implications of the internet and communications technologies

Prasanna Tambe, PhDSee Faculty Bio

Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Co-Director, Wharton Human-AI Research, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Economics of IT labor, technological change, and labor markets

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