Back to School: Thriving in the Age of AI

POSTED ON Aug 26, 2025

Since Carnegie Mellon University introduced one of the nation’s first Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence programs in 2018, numerous academic institutions have followed suit by establishing similar programs.

In the spring of 2025, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) launched a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI), making it only the third AI bachelor’s degree program available in Texas.

This new program aims to prepare students to design, test, and maintain AI systems. T

The dean of the College of Engineering highlighted that artificial intelligence has been utilized in research at UTEP since the 1980s. He emphasized, however, that new generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT, have transformed the landscape by creating novel content—whether text, images, or videos—through extensive data learning.

The university’s AI curriculum will continue to evolve, keeping pace with this rapidly developing field, which accelerates research efforts across various disciplines, including biology, geology, additive manufacturing, and aerospace engineering. Undergraduates are expected to begin utilizing this technology in the upcoming months.

In 2023, the University of Texas at Austin celebrated a decade on edX by launching an online master’s degree in artificial intelligence aimed at training thousands of students in essential AI-related skills.

In the spring of 2024, Arizona State University announced a collaboration with OpenAI, launching the first AI graduate degree program from a business school in the United States.

This program is designed to equip students with both technical AI skills and the professional acumen necessary for success in the ever-evolving technology and business landscapes.

During a recent symposium series of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence at Stanford University, discussions took place regarding the integration of AI literacy into existing academic programs.

The symposium also suggested encouraging faculty-mentored undergraduate research initiatives to address real-world challenges using AI.

A research study from the National University underscored the significance of holding a bachelor’s degree for securing jobs in the artificial intelligence field.

The study analyzed 14,889 job postings in the United States that included the keyword “AI” and found that over three-quarters of AI job openings preferred candidates with a master’s degree, while two-thirds required or preferred candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree.

Moreover, most of these job openings prioritize technical positions across a wide range of fields, from content creation to development.

In November 2024, the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors approved a stand-alone bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

While other universities in North Carolina offer concentrations in artificial intelligence within computer science degrees, North Carolina A&T will be unique in providing a dedicated program in this field.

A&T’s Bachelor’s degree in AI will encompass foundational principles, advanced techniques, and real-world applications, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.

In December 2024, Maricopa Community Colleges announced that the Higher Learning Commission had accredited the Bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

In July 2025, a study from Carnegie Mellon revealed that AI chatbots continue to be overconfident, even when incorrect. Large Language Models (LLMs) seem unaware of their own errors, raising concerns about typical applications of AI chatbots.

Researchers surveyed both human participants and four LLMs regarding their confidence in answering trivia questions, predicting NFL game results or Academy Award winners, and playing a Pictionary-style image identification game.

Both humans and LLMs generally exhibited overconfidence in their hypothetical performance. Notably, their success rates in answering questions or identifying images were fairly similar. However, when asked afterward to assess their performance, only the human participants showed an ability to adjust their expectations, according to a study published in the journal Memory & Cognition.

Also this summer, a Carnegie Mellon professor revealed what it will take for humanity to thrive in the AI era. In the video shared on YouTube, he shares a compelling vision for education that builds not just skills, but the mindset and community needed to sustain civilization itself.