Abstract
AI is a rapidly emerging field that has opened up new vistas of innovation and creativity. From intelligent systems to self-driving cars, AI has transformed the way we live and work. While AI is often studied as a subfield of computer science, it has grown so rapidly that it now encompasses many other fields. The World Economic Forum predicts a 37% increase in AI-related jobs by 2025. Therefore, it’s possible to imagine AI as a standalone field of study, independent of computer science.
It is obvious that there’s a compelling case for creating standalone AI bachelor’s programs or even separate schools. An AI bachelor’s program would be a four-year journey, guiding students towards a deep and meaningful understanding of AI technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and computer vision. The program would lay a strong foundation of computer science, mathematics, and engineering knowledge, forming the backbone of the future AI developers.
However, a dedicated AI school would take this to the next level, offering students an immersive and experiential education. The school would offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers every aspect of AI, providing practical experience in designing and implementing AI systems. By partnering with industry leaders, students would gain valuable real-world experience and job opportunities.
As a matter of fact, there is already an increasing number of universities attempting to keep up with the demand by offering undergraduate and graduate programs in AI, which typically require a strong foundation in computer science, mathematics, and statistics. However, some institutions also offer interdisciplinary programs in AI, which may be suitable for students from diverse backgrounds, including philosophy, social sciences, and business. As such, it is plausible to see more universities incorporating AI as a standalone degree program in the future. Currently, most universities offer AI as part of a computer science or related degree program due to the subject’s highly technical nature. However, as the field continues to expand, institutions may offer more specialized programs in areas such as AI ethics, AI law, and AI business.
Figure : Countries that offer AI studies
Note: The lists are being constantly updated. Any additional information on universities anywhere in the world:
- offering BSc studies on AI or
- having Departments on AI that are separate from any CS/CSE/EE/ECE department
would be greatly appreciated.
Contact address : zografis@csd.auth.gr (Zografia Sotireli)