AAMU now to offer state’s first AI degree in fall 2026

Alabama A&M University will become the first institution in the state to offer a standalone AI degree in fall 2026. The university announced on May 4 that it will welcome students soon to pursue its new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence.

The 125-credit, four-year AI degree program gained approval by the university’s board of trustees and the Alabama Commission of Higher Education in 2025.

“We are responding to the changing demands of the market. This is the AI age, and if we do not prepare students with strong capabilities, we are not fulfilling our responsibility as an institution.”
_{Dr. ZT Deng, Dean, Alabama A&M University College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences}

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About the new Alabama A&M AI degree

The new AI degree builds upon the Alabama A&M computer science curriculum, which has included an AI concentration since 2022. The degree will emphasize strong fundamentals and applied problem-solving while offering advanced coursework in:

• deep learning
• reinforcement learning
• natural language processing
• speech processing

“A general user can apply AI tools, but our graduates will understand what is inside those tools—how they are developed, how they function and how to ensure they are accurate, ethical and effective.”
_{Dr. ZT Deng, Dean, Alabama A&M University College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences}

RELATED: Amazon selects Alabama A&M University as 1 of 5 universities nationwide to lead AI program

AI courses for students across disciplines + industries

The program is structured to appeal to students beyond those who choose the major or other computer science fields, offering courses that are applicable across disciplines.

“This is not just for one specific major. Today, almost every discipline benefits from some level of AI knowledge.

Our goal is to prepare students for better jobs. There is a strong demand for AI across many fields, and we want our students to be ready to contribute and lead.”
_{Dr. ZT Deng, Dean, Alabama A&M University College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences}

AI + jobs of the future

Deng noted that while public discourse often focuses on the potential for artificial intelligence to disrupt jobs, the university’s approach centers on equipping students to lead and innovate alongside the technology.

“I do not believe AI will replace people. It will replace those who do not know how to use it. We are training students to understand these systems and to direct them—to tell AI what we want it to do.”
_{Dr. ZT Deng, Dean, Alabama A&M University College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences}