Apollos DBA in AI, DBA in IT

[sanantone]

I don't think it's worth the price for an NA doctorate since there are RA doctorates just as cheap. Getting a whole doctoral degree or concentration in AI is currently unnecessary, but there are a growing number of PhD programs in AI. Offering it in a DBA format is a way to get around offering a PhD in computer science, cognitive psychology, machine learning and robotics, or engineering. If you're more interested in the business side, a DBA in Management Information Systems will suffice, but AI is not a sub-field of business.

[eLearner]

A strong argument could be made for the purpose of getting such a degree with a specialization in AI if you're looking to be in the upper levels of business in that field. After all, that field and other computer science fields are run as businesses and business professionals and CS professionals would both benefit from the business pros being able to communicate with some CS literacy in addition to running the day-to-day business operations. The same argument has been made for healthcare workers who aren't Doctors and Nurses being given courses in medical literacy so they can better communicate with them.

[sanantone]

A strong argument could be made for the purpose of getting such a degree with a specialization in AI if you're looking to be in the upper levels of business in that field. After all, that field and other computer science fields are run as businesses and business professionals and CS professionals would both benefit from the business pros being able to communicate with some CS literacy in addition to running the day-to-day business operations. The same argument has been made for healthcare workers who aren't Doctors and Nurses being given courses in medical literacy so they can better communicate with them.

There aren't many non-technical positions solely focused on managing AI departments. If you're going to move up or move laterally, you're going to be managing other types of CS and IT functions or just general IT functions. That's why they created IT management and engineering management programs. 

Getting a DBA in AI would be like getting a Doctor of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Oncology. It's not necessary to oversee cancer departments, and you may want to manage something other than cancer departments someday. Not that there would be anything wrong with getting that degree because a DHA is still a DHA, but I wouldn't pass up an equally priced RA degree just because it's broader. 

If someone is interested in a technical position, I wouldn't recommend this degree at all. I think I only saw five CIS courses in the curriculum.

[asianphd]

A strong argument could be made for the purpose of getting such a degree with a specialization in AI if you're looking to be in the upper levels of business in that field. After all, that field and other computer science fields are run as businesses and business professionals and CS professionals would both benefit from the business pros being able to communicate with some CS literacy in addition to running the day-to-day business operations. The same argument has been made for healthcare workers who aren't Doctors and Nurses being given courses in medical literacy so they can better communicate with them.

Nope, I quite disagree. The university is clearly offering DBA with AI just for a gimmick. I never see bonafide university offering DBA with AI, because it is just not possible.

[eLearner]

There aren't many non-technical positions solely focused on managing AI departments. If you're going to move up or move laterally, you're going to be managing other types of CS and IT functions or just general IT functions. That's why they created IT management and engineering management programs. 

Getting a DBA in AI would be like getting a Doctor of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Oncology. It's not necessary to oversee cancer departments, and you may want to manage something other than cancer departments someday. Not that there would be anything wrong with getting that degree because a DHA is still a DHA, but I wouldn't pass up an equally priced RA degree just because it's broader. 

If someone is interested in a technical position, I wouldn't recommend this degree at all. I think I only saw five CIS courses in the curriculum.

If the contention is with regard to seeing the specialization as out of place or as a sort of limiting factor, that concern has been raised before in response to some specializations for MBAs, but I don't think those specializations ever cause much if any issues or pigeonholing since they are just specializations and not the major. If for example your MBA has a specialization in Psychology (Wrexham Glyndwr) or Cybersecurity, or Technology Information Systems, or your DBA has one of those for this case, that won't at all limit you to jobs that match the specialization. The same can be said for this DBA with a specialization in AI. Heck, some people leave the specializations off their resume if it doesn't match the job they're applying for.

To the bold, there may be none at all, I don't know the numbers on that specifically. Nevertheless, I picture this degree specialization being for someone who is in a business role in the tech field, looking for a DBA, and doesn't have many or any CS credentials already. Or, for a person who is simply interested in CS and also wanting a DBA. I don't see any technical prerequisites for the degree specialization there either, so there is a good chance that Apollos considered those things before moving forward with the program. Given all of that, according to Apollos, this degree combo is newer, however they aren't the only school offering a DBA with a specialization in some kind of CS field. All but one I've personally seen are foreign though, so they may be trying to get in on the ground floor of something they believe will emerge. Or, they may be chasing a very small demographic that may or may not yield good enrollment results. Time will tell.

[sanantone]

There aren't many non-technical positions solely focused on managing AI departments. If you're going to move up or move laterally, you're going to be managing other types of CS and IT functions or just general IT functions. That's why they created IT management and engineering management programs. 

Getting a DBA in AI would be like getting a Doctor of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Oncology. It's not necessary to oversee cancer departments, and you may want to manage something other than cancer departments someday. Not that there would be anything wrong with getting that degree because a DHA is still a DHA, but I wouldn't pass up an equally priced RA degree just because it's broader. 

If someone is interested in a technical position, I wouldn't recommend this degree at all. I think I only saw five CIS courses in the curriculum.

If the contention is with regard to seeing the specialization as out of place or as a sort of limiting factor, that concern has been raised before in response to some specializations for MBAs, but I don't think those specializations ever cause much if any issues or pigeonholing since they are just specializations and not the major. If for example your MBA has a specialization in Psychology (Wrexham Glyndwr) or Cybersecurity, or Technology Information Systems, or your DBA has one of those for this case, that won't at all limit you to jobs that match the specialization. The same can be said for this DBA with a specialization in AI. Heck, some people leave the specializations off their resume if it doesn't match the job they're applying for.

To the bold, there may be none at all, I don't know the numbers on that specifically. Nevertheless, I picture this degree specialization being for someone who is in a business role in the tech field, looking for a DBA, and doesn't have many or any CS credentials already. Or, for a person who is simply interested in CS and also wanting a DBA. I don't see any technical prerequisites for the degree specialization there either, so there is a good chance that Apollos considered those things before moving forward with the program. Given all of that, according to Apollos, this degree combo is newer, however they aren't the only school offering a DBA with a specialization in some kind of CS field. The ones I've personally seen are all foreign though, so they may be trying to get in on the ground floor of something they believe will emerge. Or, they may be chasing a very small demographic that may or may not yield good enrollment results. Time will tell.

I don't think the concentration will be limiting. I just don't think a niche concentration is a reason to choose this program over a similarly-priced program at an RA school because it's not like one has to have a concentration in AI for any job or that AI is even applicable to most tech management positions. IS, MIS, IT, CIS, and the rare CS concentrations in DBA programs will also help non-technical professionals learn technical basics. There are also IT Management and Technology Management doctoral programs, so there's no need to limit oneself to a niche AI concentration. I can understand why a non-technical person would enroll in this particular program out of personal interest, but it's not a must.

[eLearner]

A strong argument could be made for the purpose of getting such a degree with a specialization in AI if you're looking to be in the upper levels of business in that field. After all, that field and other computer science fields are run as businesses and business professionals and CS professionals would both benefit from the business pros being able to communicate with some CS literacy in addition to running the day-to-day business operations. The same argument has been made for healthcare workers who aren't Doctors and Nurses being given courses in medical literacy so they can better communicate with them.

Nope, I quite disagree. The university is clearly offering DBA with AI just for a gimmick. I never see bonafide university offering DBA with AI, because it is just not possible.

I totally disagree with calling it a "gimmick". It's needlessly accusatory of their intentions. Also, "bonafide" in this context is subjective, but there are respected Universities offering DBA's with CS specializations internationally like Rennes School of Business in France that actually offers a DBA with a specialization in Data Science which includes AI training, and one DBA candidate from the International University of Monaco did her research on AI and garnered awards for it. Domestically, the University of Rhode Island's DBA program includes some AI training. Ultimately, in time, the market will decide on its usefulness and determine how far it spreads.

As for it not being "possible", it's clearly possible since it's being done.

[jsd]

Personal interest is valid if you have the time
 and means and this concentration excites you.

But I'd hope anyone wanting to work in the AI field is already sharp enough to realize what a waste this would be towards that goal.

[sanantone]

I think asianphd is coming from the perspective that this is not a real AI program, but it's not trying to be an AI major. It's just a concentration. As long as the accreditor approves it, a school can offer a DBA in anything. I've seen EdD programs that make no sense.

[asianphd]

I think asianphd is coming from the perspective that this is not a real AI program, but it's not trying to be an AI major. It's just a concentration. As long as the accreditor approves it, a school can offer a DBA in anything. I've seen EdD programs that make no sense.

Agree, and they don't teach the real AI. They just teach AI is applicable for this or that, pros and cons of AI (which is pretty useless for me). I work in ML/AI fields, some of the upper-level managers taking MBA with AI (eg in Ne*ford), but I can assure you the best AI manager is not one with MBA only, but who has their hand dirty on AI things, who know how to code and do the maths.

I want to emphasize that taking DBA with AI specialization is okay. But, if you go enroll in this university for the sake of AI specialization, I strongly discourage that because it won't take you further. Better to take finance specialization, in my opinion.

Or alternatively, if you want to work in AI fields, first better to take the MSc in AI (in IITB and LJMU like me). Then you will realize that DBA in AI is just a joke.

MSc in AI: https://www.upgrad.com/id/masters-in-ml-ai-ljmu-iiitb