Kean President Lamont O. Repollet said the school’s new bachelor of science in artificial intelligence degree debuting in the fall semester is the first offered by a New Jersey university.
It is among several AI-themed innovations at Kean announced by Repollet on Thursday during his opening day address on the Union County campus, according to the university.
Kean is launching an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence and university professors are incorporating AI tutors, mentors and research tools into course work, Repollet said.
“We are evolving both what we teach and how we teach it to prepare our students for a world where technology, creativity and human ingenuity work hand in hand,” Repollet said during his speech.
AI is a growing area of focus at universities across the nation. More than a dozen universities nationwide were offering bachelor’s degrees in AI as of January, CNBC reported.
Penn State University announced last week it is offering a bachelor of science degree in artificial intelligence engineering.
Kean University’s bachelor of science in artificial intelligence degree will provide students “with the in-demand skills required in one of today’s fastest-growing tech fields,” the school’s website said.
Focus areas will include building large language models and ethical uses of AI, the university said.
Graduates will be “prepared for high-paying careers in computer science, data science and AI development after learning how to apply AI to health care, education, finance, cybersecurity and more,” the university said.
Repollet, the state’s former education commissioner, said AI is among the priorities in “Elevate 2030,” Kean’s five-year strategic plan.
“AI runs through the heart of ‘Elevate 2030′ as both a transformational research tool and a powerful driver of teaching and learning. With our momentum, our mission, and innovation as our fuel, there is no limit to how high we can climb," Repollet said, according to the university.
Kean is developing its own platform, “Keanu AI,” named for its cougar mascot, the university said.
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