Artificial intelligence has quickly become a ubiquitous technology, poised to transform entire industries and usher in new ones. Graduate students at the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering already learn on the cutting edge through specialized Artificial Intelligence tracks; soon, undergraduates from around the U will have new opportunities to prepare themselves for this rapidly evolving field.
The Kahlert School of Computing is now introducing an Artificial Intelligence minor, as well as “Exploring AI,” an introductory course suited to students with non-technical backgrounds.
The AI Minor is designed to complement a variety of Engineering majors, allowing students to incorporate insights from the field into other aspects of data science, computer engineering, robotics, and more. It is also open to non-Engineering students with appropriate prerequisites, serving as a bridge to disciplines such as mathematics, computational linguistics, games, and the sciences.
“Exploring AI”—COMP 1960—will approach the topic from both a technical and social perspective. Students will learn the underlying principles of AI systems, such as neural networks and machine learning, while also critically examining AI’s role in society.
COMP 1960 will be offered in Spring 2026, and the AI minor will launch in Fall 2026. Students who wish to accelerate their progress in AI minor courses may register for Spring 2026 courses for which they have met the prerequisites via a permission code.
COMP 1960-001 Exploring AI
This course provides a broad introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) as both a technological and cultural phenomenon. Students will examine the historical development of AI, key technical concepts underlying modern AI systems such as neural networks and machine learning, and emerging applications in different fields. The course explores how AI systems learn from data, generate language and images, and use human guidance through techniques like prompt design, retrieval-augmented generation, and fine-tuning. Alongside technical exploration, students will consider the social, economic, and ethical implications of AI, including issues of bias, labor disruption, authorship, and responsible use. Hands-on activities and discussions will help students critically evaluate AI’s benefits, limitations, and evolving role in society.
Artificial Intelligence Minor
The Kahlert School of Computing will offer a minor in Artificial Intelligence starting in Fall 2026. The AI minor prepares students with basic artificial intelligence (AI) skills and competence. The discipline studies the automation of tasks that usually require human-like intelligence, such as learning, perception, reasoning, and decision-making. It fuses skills of computer programming and machine learning. It leverages representative data and experiences to provide sensible and automated interactions—through language, via physical devices such as robots, and within games like chess — and generates feasible outcomes for design. The minor complements undergraduate degrees in fields that work with data, language, design, or computers, and enhances their studies with the tools to apply AI towards those goals. These AI skills are valuable in a variety of careers, including science, engineering, medicine, policy, the creative sector, and more. This minor allows students to receive recognition on their transcripts for core competencies in these methods, and it will prepare them for many high-paying jobs. It will also help drive innovation to create new technologies.