The Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering recently approved an applied artificial intelligence minor. It centers the hands-on applications of AI tools and methods compared to the current AI minor, which instead focuses on developing AI platforms.
“AI isn’t one single thing, and learning about AI shouldn’t have one single structure,” Vice Provost for Innovation Jeff Capadona, Computer and Data Sciences Department Chair Vipin Chaudhary and Associate Provost for Curriculum Peter Shulman said in a joint statement.
The statement distinguishes the applied AI minor, meant for students “from any disciplinary background,” from the traditional AI minor, which targets students in “STEM-focused fields.”
“Our goal with the Applied AI minor is to ensure that our students who are interested in applying AI to their chosen field have the understanding and skills to be impactful, without needing to learn the more technical skills a traditional computer scientist, data scientist or AI scientist would learn,” the statement said.
As such, the requirements were designed with the broader campus community in mind, including those without prior computer science experience. The new minor will include The Digital Revolution: Computer and Data Science For All (CSDS 101), Artificial Intelligence for All Disciplines (CSDS 102), one course discussing the impact of AI on social, ethical and policy issues as well as two electives in applying AI to a subject relevant to the specific student.
AI will also be incorporated into courses beyond computer science, including Responsible AI: Cultivating a Just and Sustainable Socio-technical Future through Data Citizenship (RLGN 250) and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology (PHIL 393). Students interested in long-term interdisciplinary work can also pursue the new Humanity and Technology major, consisting of core courses, a STEM minor equivalent, a humanities minor equivalent and a capstone integrating the two fields of study with applied technology.
“AI is already reshaping research, business and the job market, and whether those changes are positive or negative for society will depend on the choices of an informed citizenry,” Shulman said. “We are making sure that all CWRU students can make those informed choices.”