Don't Know What To Study? The New 'It' Degree Is Here To Stay
- Feb 11
- 7 min read
When I first read that Kennesaw State University is launching a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Fall 2026, my mind went straight to the moment when the future suddenly feels very real. This isn’t just another college major; it’s a symbol of how quickly the world around us is changing. In a place once defined by traditional paths into business, engineering, and education, we’re now seeing an academic program dedicated to the engine driving modern innovation, intelligence that isn’t human but human-enabled.
What makes this milestone stand out is that KSU’s program is the first of its kind in Georgia to offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in artificial intelligence. That’s a strong vote of confidence in the idea that AI isn’t a niche specialty locked away in research labs; it’s a core skill set for people joining the workforce today. Students won’t just learn to code or analyze data. They’ll explore how machines think, how AI systems can solve complex problems in healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and more, and how to apply that knowledge in real settings.
You have to feel something reading about this, pride if you’re a Georgian, excitement if you’re a student dreaming about carving out your path, and maybe a little bit of awe if you’re watching the educational landscape transform in front of your eyes. It’s the kind of development that speaks to both opportunity and responsibility.
There’s a beautiful balance in what this program promises. On the one hand, it embraces the very real need for workers fluent in AI technologies. With artificial intelligence reshaping industries across the globe, having a degree tailored to this field gives students a direct line into careers where they can make meaningful impact. Georgia’s economy, like so many others, needs talent that can understand and build these tools, not just use them.
Yet on the other hand, it recognizes that technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum. A degree like this isn’t just about algorithms; it’s about preparing thoughtful practitioners. It includes experiential learning, internships, and projects with industry partners, all designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and real life. For students, that means learning AI not just as a subject, but as a practice that will shape their careers and, in turn, society itself.
If you talk to educators, they’ll tell you that these changes are overdue. AI is everywhere now, from the apps on our phones to the systems shaping how businesses and governments operate. Having a purpose-built undergraduate degree sends a clear message: we are preparing young people not just to adapt to the future, but to lead in it.
Still, there’s a deeper emotional layer to this announcement. For many families and students, college is already a time of hope, anxiety, and ambition. Introducing a degree like this stirs all those feelings a little more. There’s hope in the promise of cutting-edge learning. There’s anxiety in stepping into something new with unknown career curves. And there’s ambition, a hunger to be part of shaping what comes next, not just watching it unfold from the sidelines.
This degree is also a reminder of how education evolves with society. Not long ago, majors like computer science and engineering were the obvious choice for anyone excited by technology and innovation. Today, as AI spreads into every sector, a dedicated AI degree signals that we’re living through a curricular shift, one that aligns learning with the rhythm of progress.
As someone observing this from a few years into an era defined by rapid digital transformation, it feels like watching history in motion. What seemed futuristic is now accessible. What was once advanced is becoming foundational. And students stepping into this program will likely look back years from now and say, this was where it began, not just for their careers, but for a society where intelligence, both human and artificial, works side by side.
Around the world, universities are watching this evolution carefully. Partly this is because AI is not just another subject worth studying; it’s already reshaping economies, labor markets, and global innovation strategies. From the way medical diagnoses are interpreted to how supply chains are optimized, intelligence-driven systems are embedded in billions of interactions each day. That means graduates who can understand, design, and ethically deploy AI will be in demand everywhere from Silicon Valley startups to state planning ministries in Africa, and universities are beginning to feel that demand in their admissions offices, career centres, and industry partnerships.
The first reason other universities will begin implementing AI bachelor’s degrees is simple: student interest is exploding. High school seniors these days aren’t just choosing majors like biology or economics; many want to be on the cutting edge, they want to engage with technology that feels alive in their daily lives. When young people see a world being remade by algorithms and automation, they want the skills to shape that world themselves. Schools that do not offer robust AI education will struggle to attract some of the brightest and most motivated students. In that sense, AI programs will become a competitive edge.
Another second wave of adoption will be driven by employers and industry partnerships. When companies from healthcare to finance to transportation increasingly hire for AI-related roles, universities hear that message loud and clear. Employers want people who don’t just use tools, but who can build, question, and improve those tools responsibly. Unlike in the early 2000s, when getting a basic programming course was enough to land a tech job, today’s entry-level roles increasingly ask for knowledge of data ethics, machine learning fundamentals, and applied AI, topics that go beyond traditional majors. Universities that build tailored AI degrees will be responding directly to this workforce demand, not just forecasting it.
There’s also a geopolitical angle to this shift. Countries are positioning themselves as leaders in the global AI economy, investing billions in research ecosystems, talent pipelines, and innovation hubs. Governments in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are already offering scholarships, public-private partnerships, and strategic initiatives around AI education because they see how critical it is for economic competitiveness. When national policy emphasizes AI literacy and capacity building, universities respond by aligning curricula to meet those goals. Within a decade, it will be rare to find a major university that lacks a dedicated AI degree, just as it is now rare to find one without an engineering school.
But perhaps the most profound motivation is academic evolution itself. Universities thrive on pushing boundaries, exploring new frameworks of knowledge, and preparing students for the problems of tomorrow rather than the certainties of yesterday. AI is not just another toolkit; it raises foundational questions about cognition, ethics, creativity, and society. That is exactly the kind of terrain universities are meant to explore, not only technically but philosophically and socially. An AI degree is a chance to blend theory and practice, ethics and engineering, logic and empathy.
In practical terms, we are already seeing signs of this global shift. Top institutions in Europe have launched master’s degrees focused exclusively on AI, while others are rapidly expanding undergraduate offerings that include dedicated AI tracks. In Asia, powerhouse technology universities are establishing research centers and specialized labs with direct ties to industry; a natural extension of that work is broadening education at the bachelor’s level. Even universities in regions with emerging tech sectors are investing in AI curricula as a way to catalyze local innovation ecosystems. It’s not just about being first, it’s about being relevant, responsive, and visionary.
Of course, building such programs requires resources, faculty expertise, and thoughtful design. Not every school can flip a switch and start an AI major overnight. But many will begin by scaling existing computer science and data science programs, adding coursework in ethics, machine learning, human-AI interaction, and AI policy. Over time, the most forward-looking institutions will carve out entire degrees because that structure better serves both students and the industries they will enter.
Emotionally, this trend reflects something deeper: a collective sense that education must keep pace with innovation. There is a growing desire among educators, students, and parents for schooling that prepares people not just to fit into the future, but to shape it with intention and integrity. An AI bachelor’s degree is not just about learning how to build models; it’s about learning how to ask the right questions in a world where intelligence, artificial or otherwise has become a defining force.
In that way, Georgia’s move feels like a chapter in a much larger story, a story of education in transformation, rooted in curiosity, anchored in relevance, and propelled by the belief that what we study should help us face the challenges ahead. And as more universities around the world embrace dedicated AI degrees, we will see not just more specialists, but more thinkers prepared to wrestle with the promise and complexity of a world where AI is woven into every human endeavour.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the job landscape over the next five to ten years is expected to change significantly, but not in a single dramatic upheaval. Instead, the pattern looks more like a reshaping of roles rather than wholesale elimination. Experts see AI as a driver of both challenge and opportunity in the labor market.
AI will automate many routine and repetitive tasks, especially in clerical, administrative, and some technical areas, meaning certain jobs may shrink or transform. At the same time, demand for AI-related skills, such as machine learning, data analysis, and responsible AI engineering is rising steeply. Indeed data shows that job ads mentioning AI have surged and that demand for skilled AI professionals is growing even as overall hiring cools in some sectors.
Rather than eliminating jobs outright, AI is more often changing the nature of work. Roles will increasingly require human strengths such as creativity, judgment, and emotional intelligence, while AI handles repetitive or standardised tasks. This means many current jobs will evolve, and entirely new roles, like AI ethics specialists, human-AI collaboration designers, and data governance experts may emerge or grow in importance.
Wider forecasts paint a picture of a labor market in motion: globally, millions of jobs may be created in new sectors even as others decline. According to estimates from the World Economic Forum, tens of millions of jobs could be added by 2027 in areas tied to AI and related technologies, alongside significant changes in existing roles. Workers across many industries will therefore need to adapt, reskill, or upskill to stay competitive in a world where AI literacy becomes increasingly valuable.
In short, the next decade won’t be about AI simply taking jobs, it will be about AI reshaping jobs, creating demand for new expertise while pushing workers toward roles where human insight, creativity, and empathy matter most. Staying flexible, learning AI-adjacent skills, and embracing lifelong learning are likely to be the best strategies for thriving in this evolving world of work.
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