Universities across the United States are rapidly expanding their artificial intelligence degree offerings, responding to the explosive growth of the AI industry and fierce competition for top talent. What was once dominated by traditional computer science programs is now evolving into specialized AI majors, minors, and graduate degrees.
Rice University announced in May that it would offer a Bachelor of Science in artificial intelligence, joining Carnegie Mellon University, which has offered an AI undergraduate degree since 2018. In February 2024, the University of Pennsylvania became the first Ivy League institution to launch an undergraduate AI degree program, featuring courses in machine learning, computing algorithms, data analytics, and advanced robotics.
The expansion comes as tech companies invest heavily in large language models (LLMs) and generative AI products while simultaneously cutting staff in other areas. The battle for elite AI talent—particularly researchers and engineers specializing in machine learning—has intensified, with CEOs personally recruiting top candidates.
At least 12 universities now offer Bachelor of Science degrees specifically in artificial intelligence, including Carnegie Mellon, Penn, Rice, University of Miami, University of Tennessee Knoxville, and Mississippi State University. For students at institutions without dedicated AI majors, many schools offer concentrations or minors. Texas A&M University announced in June that its business school would offer an AI and business minor starting fall 2025, open to juniors and seniors across all majors.
Graduate programs are expanding even more rapidly. Universities including Carnegie Mellon, Duke, Johns Hopkins, University of Texas at Austin, Northeastern, and USC offer Master of Science degrees in artificial intelligence. Additional institutions like Columbia, UCLA, Cornell, Georgia Tech, and Stanford provide computer science master’s degrees with AI or machine learning specializations.
David Garlan, associate dean for Carnegie Mellon’s computer science master’s program, noted that “AI is permeating pretty much any curriculum these days. That’s here to stay.” While computer science degrees traditionally cover broad topics including programming, data science, and systems analysis, AI-focused programs provide more specialized training in machine learning algorithms and neural networks—skills increasingly demanded by employers in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Key Quotes
We are in a moment of rapid transformation driven by AI, and Rice is committed to preparing students not just to participate in that future but to shape it responsibly.
Amy Dittmar, executive vice president for academic affairs at Rice University, explained the rationale behind launching their new Bachelor of Science in artificial intelligence. This statement emphasizes universities’ recognition that AI education must go beyond technical skills to include ethical considerations and responsible development.
You’ll see AI sort of permeating pretty much any curriculum these days. That’s here to stay.
David Garlan, associate dean for Carnegie Mellon’s computer science master’s program, described how AI has become embedded across educational programs. His observation highlights that AI is no longer a niche specialization but a fundamental component of modern technical education that will continue expanding.
We are training students for jobs that don’t yet exist in fields that may be completely new or revolutionized by the time they graduate.
Robert Ghrist, associate dean of undergraduate education in Penn Engineering, captured the forward-looking challenge facing universities. This statement underscores the rapid pace of AI innovation and the difficulty of preparing students for a constantly evolving technological landscape.
Our Take
The proliferation of AI degree programs marks a pivotal moment in higher education and the tech industry. Universities are essentially betting that AI represents a permanent shift rather than a temporary trend—a reasonable wager given the technology’s transformative impact across sectors. However, this raises important questions about curriculum flexibility. AI technologies evolve rapidly; what’s cutting-edge today may be obsolete in four years.
The most successful programs will likely balance foundational principles—mathematics, statistics, algorithm design—with hands-on experience in current tools. The emergence of AI business minors at schools like Texas A&M is particularly noteworthy, recognizing that AI literacy extends beyond engineering into management, strategy, and ethics. As these programs mature, we’ll see whether specialized AI degrees truly provide advantages over traditional computer science education with AI concentrations, or if the distinction becomes less meaningful as AI permeates all technical disciplines.
Why This Matters
This educational shift represents a fundamental transformation in how universities prepare students for the AI-driven economy. As artificial intelligence reshapes virtually every industry, the emergence of dedicated AI degree programs signals that this technology has moved from a specialized subset of computer science to a distinct discipline requiring focused study.
The timing is critical: companies are investing billions in generative AI and LLMs while competing intensely for qualified talent. Traditional computer science degrees, while valuable, may not provide the depth of machine learning and algorithm expertise that AI roles increasingly demand. By offering specialized AI programs, universities are creating a more direct pipeline into high-demand positions.
For businesses, this means a growing pool of graduates with targeted AI skills rather than generalized tech knowledge. For workers, it represents both opportunity and pressure—those with specialized AI training may have competitive advantages, while professionals without such credentials may need to upskill. The proliferation of these programs also democratizes AI education beyond elite institutions, potentially diversifying the field and expanding innovation beyond traditional tech hubs.
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For those interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and effective AI communication, here are some excellent resources:
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/colleges-with-ai-degree-major-undergrad-graduate-programs