US Universities Introduce New Undergraduate AI Degrees

Alabama A&M University announced it will become the first institution in Alabama to offer a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, a 125‑credit program slated to admit its first cohort in Fall 2026. The degree builds on an existing AI concentration in the university’s computer‑science curriculum and includes courses in deep learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing and speech processing, with an emphasis on ethical responsibilities and multidisciplinary teamwork.

The University of Southern California also launched a joint Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence for Business (BUAI), a partnership between USC Marshall and USC Viterbi. The program, one of the world’s first undergraduate degrees focused on AI in a business context, admits only 50 students each year and combines core business coursework with technical AI classes to train graduates who can translate AI capabilities into organizational solutions. Both initiatives reflect a growing demand for AI‑literaacy across disciplines and aim to prepare students for emerging workforce needs.