rewrite this title in other words: Major in Artificial Intelligence? UNT launches new AI degree program – in Etokom

Summarize this content to 100 words:

University of North Texas at Denton. adobe stock

In one of the first programs of its kind at a Texas college, the University of North Texas will offer a major in artificial intelligence starting next fall.
The university’s Board of Regents approved the new graduate program last week, citing workforce demand and student interest in existing AI courses as reasons for the launch. Currently, only Angelo State University, Tarleton State University in the Lone Star State, and the University of Texas at El Paso offer degrees in artificial intelligence. Each of these programs launches in 2025.
“Everything moves a little slower in higher education than in industry,” said David Keathley, associate chair of undergraduate studies in the UNT College of Engineering. observer. “But I think we will see a surge (in AI programs).”
The School of Engineering has offered elective courses exploring elements of AI for years, and student interest has grown “across all areas,” Keithley said. The university already offers a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence, which has become more popular since the program began in 2021 as national attention to AI has increased.

According to UNT briefing materials, the Dallas-Fort Worth area sees 2,000 job postings per month that require a background in AI. The UNT analysis found that the average first-year salary in the North Texas-based AI market is $68,208, and the average fifth-year salary is $105,335, indicating “good earning potential” for graduates of the degree program.
Keithley said, “Over the last year many different companies have joined the race to provide their own large language models and tools… now is the time for us to provide a pathway for students to really focus on this area.” “It’s become a major focal point across the country. People are listing these things in job titles.”
What stood out to UNT officials when considering an AI degree program was the number of companies with no roots in the technology sector that have begun to integrate AI into their processes. Some have relied on AI to write code on their websites or manage Q&A chatbots, Keithley said. According to the 2025 McKinsey Global Survey, two-thirds of the nearly 2,000 companies surveyed reported using AI in at least one function.
Due to the broad scope of artificial intelligence, some of UNT’s courses will be open to non-majors. An introductory course called “Applied AI” will be open to all majors, Keithley said, and students will learn how to use the tools that are becoming more ubiquitous with the AI ​​boom. Not only will this help introduce students to artificial intelligence in alternative industries, Keithley said, but it will also allow AI majors to network with students from other industries who are looking for AI expertise.
Another course he believes will be popular is titled “AI in Games.” UNT already offers a video game programming certification through the computer science department, and Keithley said the new course will explore the overlap between artificial intelligence and video games. AI majors will also need to take a course that focuses on ethical considerations of artificial intelligence. The department also sponsors a research group that is publishing findings on the ethical consumption of AI and social responsibility when using the technology.
“That (mentality) is embedded in our department,” Keithley said.
(tagstotranslate)technology

University of North Texas at Denton.

adobe stock

(tagstotranslate)technology

[ad_1]

#Major #Artificial #Intelligence #UNT #launches #degree #program #trending #[now:year]