New Degree Positions University at Forefront of AI Workforce Demand

Alabama A&M University will become the first institution in the state to offer a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI), marking a significant academic milestone as the University expands its leadership in emerging technologies and workforce development.

The new degree program, approved by the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees and the Alabama Commission of Higher Education in 2025, will welcome its first cohort of students in Fall 2026. Designed as a 125-credit, four-year program, the initiative responds to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its growing influence across industries.

“We are responding to the changing demands of the market,” said Dr. ZT Deng, dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences. “This is the AI age, and if we do not prepare students with strong capabilities, we are not fulfilling our responsibility as an institution.”

The program builds upon Alabama A&M’s existing computer science curriculum, which has offered an artificial intelligence concentration since 2022. The new standalone degree expands that foundation with advanced coursework in areas such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing and speech processing, while maintaining a strong emphasis on computing fundamentals and applied problem-solving.

Deng said the program is intentionally designed not only for students majoring in artificial intelligence, but also to extend across disciplines, reflecting the pervasive role of AI in modern professions.

“This is not just for one specific major,” said Deng. “Students from other fields can take courses, gain exposure and build the skills needed to work with AI tools. Today, almost every discipline benefits from some level of AI knowledge.”

The curriculum emphasizes both technical depth and practical application, preparing graduates to analyze complex computing problems, design and implement solutions, and function effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Students will also develop an understanding of ethical and professional responsibilities in computing, an increasingly critical component as AI systems shape decision-making across sectors.

Deng noted that while public discourse often focuses on the potential for artificial intelligence to disrupt jobs, the university’s approach centers on equipping students to lead and innovate alongside the technology.

“I do not believe AI will replace people,” said Deng. “It will replace those who do not know how to use it. We are training students to understand these systems and to direct them — to tell AI what we want it to do.”

Rather than viewing artificial intelligence as a threat, Deng described it as a powerful tool that requires both technical expertise and critical thinking. The degree program is structured to give students insight into how AI systems are built, including the algorithms, data structures and infrastructure that support them.

“A general user can apply AI tools,” said Deng. “But our graduates will understand what is inside those tools — how they are developed, how they function and how to ensure they are accurate, ethical and effective.”

As industries continue to integrate artificial intelligence into operations ranging from software engineering to infrastructure design, Alabama A&M’s new degree positions its graduates to meet a growing workforce demand.

“Our goal is to prepare students for better jobs,” said Deng. “There is a strong demand for AI across many fields, and we want our students to be ready to contribute and lead.”

With the launch of the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, Alabama A&M University reinforces its commitment to academic innovation and its mission to prepare students for leadership in a rapidly changing global economy.