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Computer science is not a new subject at top schools, but with the high demand for AI jobs, the list of colleges and universities specifically offering four-year “AI” degrees is growing.
These programs typically move from the foundations of computer science to topics such as machine learning, computing algorithms, data analytics, and advanced robotics. The University of Pennsylvania recently announced that its BSE in Artificial Intelligence program will begin in fall 2024. Carnegie Mellon introduced a program in fall 2018, long before General AI became popular, and MIT’s program begins in fall 2022. Purdue University offers an AI graduate major, while many colleges and universities offer AI classes within their computer science department, even if there is no dedicated major.
AI-specific degree programs have emerged because companies lack talent for this rapidly growing field. According to employment website Fact.com, half of the highest-paid skills in technology are AI-specific. Still, there is some degree of skepticism about the applicability of an AI-specific four-year degree given how rapidly technology is changing. But proponents say that as long as a program is steeped in computer science and other fundamentals, a focus on AI can be a boon when building a resume.
Here’s what students and their parents, as well as anyone thinking about going back to school for a new career, should know about four-year AI degrees:
STEM fundamentals remain important
Students who want to pursue a degree in AI should look for a program that teaches foundational information such as computer science concepts, statistics, mathematics and engineering, which lays the foundation for a career in an AI-related field, said Chief Executive Kerem Koca. Is. BlueCloud, a cloud service provider. The technology itself is changing, he said, but these core foundations are not, and they can prepare students to succeed even as the underlying technology changes.
“It is important that AI degrees and other education training programs focus not only on specific skill development, but also on helping students learn, including developing intellectual curiosity and skills such as leadership, communication and critical thinking ” Maria Flynn, president and chief executive of Jobs for the Future, an organization that focuses on worker opportunity and education, said in an email.
Increase in AI degrees since 2011
There are many different programs that focus on AI at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and there has been a growing number of offerings and degrees offered for over a decade now.
According to the Georgetown University Center for Security and Emerging Technology, AI degrees since 2011 have reversed the general trend in education, with positive degree awarded growth versus negative growth across all degree fields. AI-related degree awards, in particular, grew even faster than STEM degrees as a general category at the graduate master’s and PhD levels. Its review of government data and other sources on the higher education market described the growth of AI degree providers as “dramatic”, growing 120% at both the bachelor’s and master’s level since 2011.
Some students may also be interested in pursuing AI as an associate degree, which many schools offer, including Miami Dade College.
Relevance of education in the rapidly changing technological market
Some students may wonder if they even need a degree, given how rapidly the market is changing and the fact that more employers are willing to hire employees without a degree if They have the appropriate, required skills for the job.
It’s important to note that recent research shows that the practice of hiring people without degrees has declined, and research from the Ladders career site shows that the highest paying jobs still require a degree. are required, a list that includes software engineers.
Celeste Groupman, chief executive of DataQuest, a company that supplies AI-related educational materials and labs to universities, said a four-year degree is still a big step for most people entering the job market for the first time. “It’s still one of the first things an employer will look at. It won’t disqualify you, whereas not doing it might.”
Still, many providers, including DataQuest and Coursera, offer certificate programs for learners to quickly develop skills. These programs may be a good fit for students who lack the time and resources to complete a four-year program, or those who already have a degree and are looking to enhance skills, Groupman said. An online platform allows students to quickly start building projects and understand how to successfully apply these tools for employment purposes.
AI vs Computer Science
It is important for students to think seriously about the curriculum of the program they are considering, how it differs from a standard computer science curriculum, the potential career trajectories for graduates of the program, and the economic outcomes for graduates. Flynn said, “As we see in product marketing, anyone can put ‘AI’ on an existing product. Students should ask what aspects of AI they will learn.”
It is also important for students to think carefully about what they want. Are they looking for a program that provides hands-on experience with AI or practice using AI, or do they want a technical program that provides foundational content and courses on AI technology? They should also consider whether they ultimately want relevant skills and knowledge that will get them into the labor market now or whether they want a broad degree that will form the basis for long-term advancement, Flynn said.
“If you’re an architect, you don’t need a degree in hammers. You want to understand hammers, you want to understand zoning and you want to understand how to build a house that helps a family survive.” Do. The same is true in AI,” said Nicole Bradford, artificial intelligence and human intelligence executive with SHRM, an organization for human resources professionals.
How to get an edge with employers
David Leighton, chief executive of WITI, an organization for technology-minded professionals, said some employers may view an AI-specific degree more favorably than a plain-vanilla computer science degree. “I think it sets them apart.”
On the other hand, no one knows yet what such a degree will be worth in a few years. “In the year 2000, if you had an Internet degree, something like that, it would have felt great,” Coca said. “Now, it might not apply as much. But if you had it in 2002, you could get a job anywhere. The same might be true for a degree in AI.”
Given the uncertainty, some professionals said students can’t go wrong with a traditional computer science degree or an AI-specific degree, provided the basics are covered. However, those who take the former route should consider taking classes related to AI and data science, which may be important for future employment. Otherwise, “students may need to close the practical application gap on their own after graduation,” Brian Ackerman, head of AI strategy and transformation at management consulting firm Korn Ferry, said in an email.
