Rice University is launching a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in fall 2025 to prepare students for careers in AI across various disciplines. The program emphasizes responsible AI development and aims to produce thoughtful leaders in the field. It will include foundational courses along with ethics and cognitive psychology to bridge technical skills with human perspectives.
Rice University is making waves this coming fall as it gears up to offer a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) starting in the fall of 2025. According to the university, this program is essential for forging the next wave of innovators across multiple sectors including engineering, health care, and finance. University President Reginald DesRoches highlighted this initiative as part of Rice’s broader commitment to lead in increasingly critical areas of technology and governance.
DesRoches pointed out the importance of defining how AI will be developed and regulated in future. The new major underscores Rice’s university-wide approach to molding the future of computing by promoting responsible uses of AI, a concept tightly woven into the school’s strategic vision. It’s evident, as noted by the Howard R. Hughes Provost Amy Dittmar, that this endeavor is not just about equipping students; it’s about preparing them to actively shape a future driven by AI.
Dittmar emphasized the university’s role in educating students who can think critically about adopting new tech for the greater good, resonating with the core of what this new program aims to achieve. This wasn’t just a hasty addition; it’s part of a bigger picture, reaching across disciplines and supporting initiatives that benefit public health, sustainability, and resilient community building—buzzwords in AI development.
Luay Nakhleh, who serves as the Dean of Engineering and Computing, also weighed in, indicating that the curriculum will fleece students not merely to be practitioners but thought leaders in AI. “We want students to push the envelope of innovation by thinking creatively,” he said. The formation of this program will indeed provide a broadened curriculum, allowing students to deeply understand and apply AI in various, perhaps unexpected “real world” scenarios.
The new AI major sits within Rice’s Department of Computer Science, replacing the outdated model of relying on electives or pursuing advanced degrees for a robust AI education. John Greiner, an assistant teaching professor and now program director, laid out that this curriculum won’t just be a patchwork of courses; it aims to forge a cohesive understanding of AI—which is crucial today.
Vicente Ordóñez-Román, an associate professor behind the major’s inception, echoed the sentiment, citing a surge in AI discussions in media and its emergence as a national priority. The program will provide students with the skills and knowledge they need for careers in this scorching-hot field. Chris Jermaine, who chairs the computer science department, noted students taking on this major would find themselves at the forefront of a transformative intellectual era.
The AI major, embarking upon the same foundational classes as its computer science counterpart, delves deeper into specialized AI courses during a student’s sophomore year, marking the divergence. Notably, there’s a fascinating inclusion of cognitive psychology into the curriculum, bridging AI to a more human understanding of intelligence. This reflects a desire for interdisciplinary study that can invite students from varied backgrounds like psychology or neuroengineering.
Moreover, an ethics course tailored specifically for this major is in the works — vital in today’s tech-centric world. Greiner believes the intersection of engineering and humanities will entice a wider range of students while maintaining a rigorous founding in programming and math required for success.
Curriculum-wise, it’s crucial to note that Rice will not just be another player in the AI game — few universities boast a dedicated undergraduate program like this. And Rice’s faculty — versed across AI fields from natural language processing to machine learning — will make this offering even more appealing, as they actively cultivate a rich educational environment.
Rice University is celebrated as a top collegiate institution in the U.S., boosting an impressive student-to-faculty ratio and a culture that emphasizes strong community bonds amongst its students. This new degree path signals the university’s agility in keeping pace with tech trends while reaffirming its dedication to premium undergraduate education. This major isn’t just filling a gap; it’s setting new benchmarks.
In summary, Rice University is stepping into the AI education space with its new Bachelor of Science program starting in fall 2025. The university’s strong commitment to responsible AI aims to produce thought leaders prepared to tackle the ethical dilemmas of the future. This initiative not only focuses on technical expertise; it also emphasizes critical thinking and interdisciplinary approaches, securing Rice’s position at the forefront of AI education. Students can look forward to a cohesive curriculum designed to equip them with the necessary tools for a quickly evolving world.
Original Source: www.prnewswire.com
