Following approval from the board of trustees in May, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is accepting applications for its new customizable degree program, AI + X bachelor’s degree, becoming the first University in the nation to launch said degree.
The program is to be housed in the Department of Computer Science, similarly to the new program, the department has a history of being the first when it became the first computer science department in Ohio in 1969. It will feature an AI-structured curriculum along with a choice of select secondary disciplines.
From the official university press release, “The ‘X’ represents a customizable add-on in six fields, including computer science, mathematics, physics, history, journalism or public relations, that allows students to apply AI to their field of choice.”
Callie Tschappat, a first-year pre-nursing student, noted that the program may conflict with the disciplines under the Arts & Sciences.
“People create their own stories and AI kind of reworks things, which can make it difficult in the creative aspect,” Tschappat noted.
BGSU will also be offering the AI and Society minor open to all majors as an interdisciplinary program. In addition to allowing students to critically think about ethical questions of privacy or accountability and practicing using generative tools responsibly, the university sees it as something that will also set students apart in the workforce.
“It’s a great way to make yourself more marketable. Employers want to hire professionals who understand AI and can ethically use it to solve problems, drive innovation and enhance efficiency,” the university stated.
With the course being “ethics-driven,” there is room for AI to be utilized in many aspects. Matthew Macha, a second-year finance major, discussed how AI could be helpful.
“In financial planning, it can help significantly. I see AI helping me create personalized investment strategies for everyone’s needs and goals, managing portfolios more efficiently,” he said.
Though AI can handle logistics and planning, Macha has his doubts about the personality aspect that it may fail to replicate in his field.
“I think AI will have to be limited because there is an emotional aspect to the financial planning industry, because clients can be facing significant challenges and you, being the planner, need to have that empathy to show your clients that you are trustworthy,” Macha said.
In the trajectory of the work field, AI does not seem to be going anywhere. The university believes that this program, along with other AI electives and minor courses, will better prepare students for employers that “want to hire professionals who understand AI and can ethically use it to solve problems, drive innovation and enhance efficiency.”
