Lexington, Ky. (Lex 18) – The enthusiasm of Dr. Brent Harrison jumped through the screen.
“I am very excited,” he said, discussing a major development that recently took place on the campus of the University of Kentucky.
Last week the school board approved the first artificial intelligence major of the state, which will offer a Bachelor of Science degree. Some obstacles continue to exist, because approval is still needed from the Kentucky Council on Postsecundary Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
“This is something our departmental chairman, Zongming Fei, was in favor of,” Harrison explained. “He said,” We have to do this; we see the desire of our students; we see the way the labor market goes. “
Artificial intelligence is The future, according to those who have understood and believe in the technology in its impact and benefits. Dr. Harrison, who said that the curriculum is already present for a possible launch in the fall of 2026, says it will cover all aspects of the concentration.
“Almost everything we do with AI is that ethical component. Dr. Judy Goldsmith, one of my colleagues here, was very determined that the students, regardless of what we do, should be aware of the possible pitfalls and other issues that arise when using AI,” Dr. Harrison.
The university currently offers a certificate in AI training, which is useful for those who may only need a number of components, but by offering it as an important study, Dr. Harrison that doors are opened for the graduates like never before. It is computer science about steroids, in the absence of a better term.
“This is the kind of degree that you could go out and a software developer could be, but you would be more practiced in using these AI tools to make yourself more efficient. You could also comment on things such as data analysis. And I will continue and say, you could go in game design, Game development,” Dr. Harrison.
He also noticed that the interest is much higher than he initially thought it would be. Nobody has indicated AI as their major at the moment, but he anticipates many. And he expects some students to change from Majors or add AI to complete a double large study program.
“I think the interest is there, and I think we will see that, but I do expect that the registration will pick up more than 2 or 3 years,” he predicted, again awaiting the approval of the CPE and SACS of the state.
