Apollos DBA in AI, DBA in IT

[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.