Area of Emphasis in AI Provides Preparation Similar to Emerging AI Degrees

UGA Computer Science now offers an approved Area of Emphasis in Artificial Intelligence as part of the Computer Science degree, designed to support preparation in the rapidly growing field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Building on the core foundations of Computer Science, students will be able to take 5-6 classes specifically in Artificial Intelligence. In all, this provides preparation close to the emerging Artificial Intelligence Degrees in various Universities.

The overall aim of this track is to enable graduates to be Developers, Deployers, and/or Integrators of AI technology. Graduates will have a core foundation to build and train new models. At the same time, building on both computer science principles and AI methods, the graduates will be capable of deploying and integrating AI technologies in various organizations, creating data stores, training and deploying models, and developing workflows that integrate AI to provide effective automation. Between both required AI classes and available AI electives, the curriculum provides an algorithmic, mathematical, and software foundation of AI techniques, ranging from classical techniques to modern models. Elective classes in areas like Robotics, Computational Neuroscience, and Computational Investing allow students to see a variety of applications of modern AI technology. The school is also rapidly adding new classes related to Artificial Intelligence, such as a new Deep Learning and Generative AI class.

Computing Research Association (CRA) recently compiled that more than 40 US research Universities are already offering Artificial Intelligence Degrees. The School of Computing has taken a relatively unique approach, creating a track within its Computer Science degree. The students will obtain preparation similar to these emerging AI degrees, but with core Computer Science foundations, and a more widely recognized Computer Science Degree (with an AI area of emphasis recognition in the transcript). Prospective students are welcome to contact the school leadership to learn more details. Existing students at UGA can discuss the potential transition to this track with their academic advisor. While the Computer Science degree itself at UGA is ABET-accredited, this track will NOT meet the requirements of an ABET-accredited CS degree.