Adrian College offering artificial intelligence major for students

ADRIAN, Mich. — Adrian College is launching a new major in artificial intelligence this fall, giving students the chance to study both the technical applications of AI and the ethical questions surrounding its use.

The program is designed to prepare students for the rapidly changing workforce, said Tony Coumoundouros, dean of graduate studies.

“We want to make our students capable of competing in the marketplace, being prepared for rapid changes in the marketplace and in their jobs. And we think AI skills are really important to pursue,” Coumoundouros said.

Jeffrey Docking, president of Adrian College, said the program is not just for future AI professionals, but for students across multiple disciplines.

“We feel like most students won’t go into that, but will need to use AI in their jobs, and so we’ve coupled it with just about every major that we have here,” Docking said.

Students like senior computer science major Ariane Ouedraogo see the program as an opportunity to apply AI to real-world problems. She is researching ways to use AI to improve hearing devices, inspired by her sister, who has a hearing impairment.

“I want to use AI to solve problems and to make people’s lives better,” Ouedraogo said. “So, it really means a lot for me to be here and do AI.”

Faculty members say students will gain a deep understanding of how AI systems function and make decisions.

“Understanding how this is done and implemented will help my students, the community, understand how AI is making those decisions,” said Mohammed Ouali, associate professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science.

Ouedraogo said she believes AI will shape the future well beyond her years in college.

“I think AI is the future,” she said. “Doing a program like that is going to help students to be more creative, to think of how they can use this powerful tool to impact their communities.”