Maryland Colleges Embrace AI Majors Amid Nationwide Trend

A growing number of Maryland colleges are introducing new majors and programs focused on artificial intelligence, reflecting a nationwide trend that has seen a significant increase in AI-related studies. According to research by Carla Brodley, dean of inclusive computing at Northeastern University, there’s been a 36% rise in AI majors between December and June this year. This surge corresponds with the increasing use of AI among college students, who are now more likely than ever before to encounter it in their coursework.

A recent study conducted by the Lumina Foundation-Gallup found that 57% of college students use AI at least weekly, while one in five reported using it daily. As a result, Maryland universities have begun to adapt and offer specialized programs to meet this growing demand for skilled professionals who can navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence.

Lisa Meeden, a computer science professor with over three decades of experience studying robot learning, believes that majoring in AI is not necessarily the best approach. Instead, she advocates for students to pursue a degree in computer science and take classes on artificial intelligence as part of their curriculum. According to Meeden, this allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying theory and foundation upon which AI is built.

However, Maryland universities are forging ahead with new majors despite these concerns. The University of Maryland has announced two bachelor’s degrees in partnership with the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland. One major focuses on human-centered artificial intelligence, teaching students how to critically evaluate the ethical implications of AI technologies and analyze systems for biases. Class offerings include ‘Gender, Race and Computing,’ ‘Privacy, Security and Ethics for Big Data,’ and ‘Designing Fair Systems.’

Students can choose to specialize in themes like arts, ethics, or law, policy, and governance. The university’s website highlights the degree as suitable for those interested in pursuing careers in various fields that require a scientific understanding of AI along with its ethical, social, and cultural impact. These include business, education, government, law, medicine, policy, or any other field.

The second new major is a bachelor’s in computational structures for AI systems, where students learn to build AI systems and algorithms from the ground up. Alyssa Ryan, program director at the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute, emphasized that over 250 faculty members are involved in AI research and aim to train the next generation of students on how to develop technology that uplifts people and society.

Morgan State University has also announced a new major in artificial intelligence beginning this fall, adapted from its previous cloud computing program. Unlike traditional lecture-based instruction, each AI and machine-learning course will include hands-on projects developed by faculty and students. This approach gives students competitive portfolios for internships and careers, said Paul Wang, professor of computer science at Morgan State.

Students participating in these courses have already completed research projects on AI bias toward students with lighter skin tones and used artificial intelligence to map out Baltimore’s air quality through the lens of income and race. Some of Wang’s students have secured internships at Google, JPMorgan, and Bloomberg, while others have landed full-time jobs at Microsoft, Uber, and Oracle.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), is also expanding its AI offerings with a master’s degree program this fall. Graduates will be equipped to tackle complex AI-related problems, according to the university. Students enrolled in the program will gain access to federally funded research programs through agencies like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Classes for the UMBC program include ‘Principles of Artificial Intelligence,’ where students learn about search algorithms, logical reasoning, and machine learning, as well as ‘Computer Vision,’ which teaches techniques for enabling computers to interpret and understand visual information. Mohamed Younis, a professor of computer science and electrical engineering at UMBC, noted that interest in AI has grown exponentially over the past few years.

Younis stated that the university is developing a bachelor’s program in artificial intelligence as well, with plans to contribute significantly to the workforce. The introduction of these new programs marks an exciting development for Maryland colleges, which are now better equipped than ever before to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in AI-related fields.