What do you learn in a bachelor's in artificial intelligence?
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to take nearly every industry in the world by storm, the workforce is playing catch-up. This means ample job opportunities for those seeking to learn this technology. If you're interested in getting ahead of this exploding trend, one of the best ways is to earn a bachelor's in artificial intelligence.
What to expect from an artificial intelligence bachelor's program
While the technology behind AI isn't completely new, the prevalence of AI in so many areas of our lives is. Most artificial intelligence bachelor's programs are quite new, so students can expect much of the material to be cutting-edge.
Additionally, professors teaching these courses may be involved in the research and development of AI technologies, which can mean unique opportunities for students that you wouldn't find in more established degree programs.
The overall goal of a bachelor's in artificial intelligence program is to help students develop an understanding of how AI works, how it can be utilized to support businesses and individuals, and where it may be headed in the future.
Students can expect this degree program to be heavily focused on technology, mathematics, data, and computer science. Some — but not all — degree programs include a strong focus on learning coding.
Bachelor's in artificial intelligence curriculum
There is no standardized curriculum for a bachelor's in artificial intelligence from school to school, especially as you get to the higher-level core courses and electives. That said, below are some of the more common offerings you'll encounter in this degree program:
- Machine learning foundations: In this course, students learn the fundamentals of machine learning, which is the backbone of AI. They learn how the process works, how to evaluate an algorithm's efficacy, and how the process relates to real-world applications.
- Artificial intelligence and ethics: This non-technical course teaches students about the relationship between AI and ethics. As AI has grown, people have called for checks and balances in light of potential job threats and unethical uses. Students will learn about current claims and how to best navigate them.
- Artificial intelligence applications in healthcare: This course helps students see tangible applications of AI as it pertains to healthcare, including record keeping, process optimization, diagnosis assistance, and treatment plan development.
Graduation requirements for an artificial intelligence bachelor's degree
Students seeking an artificial intelligence bachelor's degree will generally need to complete 120 credits, which typically takes four years. In addition to the standard credit hour requirements, students usually must complete a capstone project to demonstrate their understanding of AI and its implementation and function. This could include solving a real-world problem with AI, building AI software, or supporting a team of real-world AI engineers through an internship.
Additionally, some AI degree programs emphasize coding, whereas others focus on higher-level AI implementations. If you select a program that is not heavily focused on coding languages, you may want to consider outside certifications and self-learning, as these can be extremely helpful for working with AI software in your career.