The NSA, a governmental agency focused on global intelligence and national security, accredited the program as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Secure Artificial Intelligence.
The CAE designation is made up of several categories, and now includes over 400 schools. Those selected can receive a competitive edge for grants and scholarships and get access to faculty development resources.
A total of 16 Michigan schools now have some sort of CAE designation, including Grand Valley State University, Central Michigan University and Michigan Technological University.
The new secure artificial intelligence accreditation was described by Ferris State as the “primary distinguishing designation for programs in artificial intelligence.”
It was developed by the NSA due to the security implications of AI, according to the university.
Greg Gogolin, who oversees Ferris State’s AI program, said the validation reflects the program’s quality.
“Artificial intelligence is having a transformative impact on our lives,” he said. “We’ve built a program that prepares students for public and private sector careers in an area where they can lead the focus on secure, ethical and appropriate utilization of AI technology.”
Ferris State’s AI program, a bachelor of science, was developed in collaboration with industry leaders and with support from the recently-renamed U.S. Department of War.
It was the second bachelor of science program of its kind in the U.S., according to the university.
Students in the program focus on AI solutions in personal, household, transportation and industrial sectors. They can specialize in cybersecurity, machine learning and language processing, among others, and use a secured AI lab.
Renae Weathers, a CAE program manager for the NSA , said the Ferris State program helps address a “critical shortage” of professionals with cybersecurity skills.
“A highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage,” she wrote in a letter to Ferris State President Bill Pink . “The United States Government will continue to invest in and enhance programs that build the domestic talent pipeline, from primary through postsecondary education.”
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