Artificial Intelligence is transforming how organisations, governments, and healthcare systems operate. For professionals working within complex environments, understanding AI is no longer simply about learning new technologies. It's about understanding how those technologies interact with people, institutions, and society.
In this student Q&A, Marvin Hylton, a Senior Digital Health and AI Transformation Leader based in Canada, reflects on his experience studying on the University of Southampton's online MA in Artificial Intelligence (Digital Transformation). Marvin also nominated the online MA Artificial Intelligence Programme Team for a University of Southampton Vice Chancellor's Award in the Student Experience category, recognising the support and learning experience provided to students throughout the programme.
Marvin shares what inspired him to pursue a master's degree in AI, why he chose Southampton, and how his work as a healthcare transformation leader shaped his interest in Artificial Intelligence, governance, socio-technical systems, and responsible innovation.
What inspired you to pursue a master's degree in Artificial Intelligence?
What inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence (Digital Transformation) was the belief that AI is rapidly reshaping how societies make decisions, deliver care, and interact with technology. Having worked extensively within healthcare, digital transformation, and complex human systems, I have seen firsthand how technology can either strengthen or complicate people’s lives depending on how thoughtfully it is designed and implemented.
My interest in AI extends beyond automation alone. I am particularly interested in how AI can support better decision-making and improve outcomes across healthcare, governance, and broader society. While much of today’s AI conversation focuses on tools, agents, and increasing automation, I believe the future of AI depends on whether we design these technologies around human needs, institutions, and social responsibility.
AI should evolve as a system that augments human capability rather than one that isolates or replaces human judgement, creativity, and care.
This perspective strongly aligns with emerging research from institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and the University of Southampton, which increasingly emphasise intelligence augmentation and human-centred AI as critical to the future of responsible innovation. I was drawn to Southampton’s interdisciplinary approach, which recognises that AI is not solely an engineering challenge but also a societal one requiring collaboration across technology, healthcare, ethics, governance, and the social sciences.
I have always connected with Abraham Lincoln’s idea that “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” For me, pursuing AI is not simply about understanding emerging technologies but about helping to build a future where AI is implemented responsibly and ethically, in ways that genuinely improve people’s lives.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Southampton?
I decided to study at the University of Southampton because it combined academic excellence with a genuinely human-centred approach to education. As a world-class Russell Group university with a strong international reputation in research, technology, and interdisciplinary innovation, Southampton stood out to me not only for its academic credibility but for the way it engaged with prospective students throughout the admissions process.
Before applying, I spoke with several universities, many of which were excellent. However, there was something noticeably different about my interactions with Southampton’s enrolment and academic teams. The communication felt warm, professional, and genuinely supportive from the very beginning.
Rather than approaching the process as purely transactional, the conversations felt centred around whether the programme genuinely aligned with my goals, interests, and long-term career direction. Even after I began the programme, the university continued to check in on my progress and overall experience, which reinforced the sense that student success and wellbeing were taken seriously.
I was also drawn to Southampton’s interdisciplinary and human-centred approach to Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. The university’s research direction strongly aligned with my interests in sociotechnical systems, healthcare transformation, governance, and responsible AI implementation. I appreciated that Southampton viewed AI not only as a technological discipline but as one deeply connected to society, ethics, policy, and human collaboration.
From a practical perspective, I also felt confident in the university’s online learning environment. Having prior experience with Blackboard, I believed I would be able to navigate the programme structure and modules effectively. I also spent time reviewing student testimonials, YouTube interviews, and online experiences shared by other learners, and I consistently found professionalism, community, and a shared purpose among both students and faculty.
In addition, I was attracted to the university’s global reputation, international student culture, and strong alumni network, particularly within technology, research, and innovation-related fields. I spent time learning about Southampton’s history, evolution, and longstanding commitment to global education and research excellence, which further strengthened my decision.
It was also important to me that whichever university I chose was an institution I could remain proud to call my alma mater throughout my career, both professionally and personally, and Southampton strongly reflected those values.
Overall, Southampton felt like a university that combined academic rigour with humanity, innovation with responsibility, and global reputation with genuine student support. That balance was incredibly important to me when choosing where to continue my studies.
How was your experience with the application process?
My experience with the application process was extremely positive. From the beginning, the process felt streamlined, professional, and highly organised, while remaining personalised and supportive throughout. The admissions and enrolment teams communicated clearly at every stage, and I always felt informed about where I was in the process, what documentation was required, and what the next steps would be.
I also valued the emphasis placed on professional and real-world experience alongside academic capability. One aspect I particularly admire about many UK institutions is their recognition that practical experience, industry knowledge, and academic study together create a more informed and impactful learning environment. I believe the application process embodies a philosophy that acknowledges both professional experience and academic potential as complementary strengths.
From an operational perspective, the online application portal was very easy to navigate and well-structured. I was able to track the progress of my application in real time, including document reviews, approvals, and upcoming stages. Communication was prompt, timelines were clear, and nothing about the process felt ambiguous or disorganised. Even though universities operate within extremely busy environments, the responsiveness and workflow management throughout the process felt highly efficient.
The overall application experience showcased qualities that eventually attracted me to the programme: professionalism, academic rigour, organisation, and a genuine focus on student engagement. As a globally recognised institution, the process felt both highly structured and authentically personal, leaving a very positive impression on me.
How did you find the assessments and support available on the programme?
I appreciated that the programme provided strong academic support structures, particularly around postgraduate-level research, critical analysis, academic writing, and scholarly development. That support, combined with the programme’s interdisciplinary structure and professional relevance, created an environment that challenged students while also supporting their development at master’s level.
In one of my early assignments, I developed a proposal focused on AI-enabled interoperability within Canadian digital health systems, grounded in a human-centred, governance-aware framework. The proposal explored how AI could support interoperability, reduce fragmentation across healthcare systems, and improve clinical decision support while remaining grounded in governance, ethics, Indigenous data sovereignty, and operational considerations.
With the support of the programme team, the strength of the curriculum, and my own dedication to study, I achieved a distinction in my first assessment. That result reinforced the value of combining professional experience with rigorous academic study within an applied and forward-looking field such as AI and Digital Transformation.
Thank you to Marvin for speaking with us about his experience on the online MA in Artificial Intelligence at Southampton! You can also read the second part of our interview with Marvin.
Why do professionals choose the University of Southampton's online MA in Artificial Intelligence?
Marvin Hylton's experiences throughout this Q&A highlight how the University of Southampton's online MA in Artificial Intelligence (Digital Transformation) offers more than technical knowledge alone. The programme encourages students to explore AI through the lenses of governance, ethics, organisational transformation, and societal impact.
By combining academic rigour with practical relevance, the programme supports professionals from diverse backgrounds who want to understand how AI can be applied responsibly in complex real-world environments.
Explore our MA in Artificial Intelligence (Digital Transformation)
