“Rising Student Interest in AI Sparks Changes in Higher Education Curriculum”
Since the debut of ChatGPT, a language model powered by artificial intelligence, student interest in AI has been on the rise. One of the top colleges where undergraduates can study this emerging technology is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The introduction of ChatGPT in November sparked concerns among college admission officers and professors about the potential use of AI in student essays. However, the increased interest in AI has led to positive outcomes for higher education, with a new generation of students eager to learn and work in the field. As a result, universities are adapting their curriculums to cater to the growing demand for AI education.
While some schools offer AI engineering education only at the graduate level, others have developed undergraduate majors and minors in the field. For example, Princeton University has transformed its certificate program in statistics and machine learning into a minor, starting in fall 2023. MIT offers a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making within its engineering school, which includes courses in computer science, mathematics, and ethics in computing.
At the University of Pennsylvania, computer and information science students can specialize in artificial intelligence, taking classes such as “deep learning for data science” and “computer vision & computational photography.” Students at Penn can also participate in AI@Penn, a student organization that collaborates with the Wharton Business School’s AI for Business Initiative and hosts events with industry experts and professors in AI.
The growing interest in AI among students is reflected in Forbes’ 2023 America’s Top Colleges list, which features institutions offering majors and minors in machine learning and artificial intelligence. To learn more about these colleges, watch the video below.
Overall, the surge in student interest in AI is driving universities to adapt and expand their AI education offerings, preparing the next generation of AI engineers and professionals.
