City Colleges of Chicago Launches its First AI Degree Program

New degree pathway at City Colleges prepares students to build the next generation of artificial intelligence technologies

CHICAGO- (August 5, 2026) - City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) today announced the launch of its first college credit Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree program at Wilbur Wright College, marking a significant milestone in expanding access to one of the fastest-growing fields in technology.

City Colleges is now offering the Associate Applied Science degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Development. It is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the dynamic field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Students will gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies and best practices in the industry, preparing them for a variety of roles in the rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning landscape.

"The launch of the new degree and its coursework based in AI reflects City Colleges of Chicago's continued commitment to aligning academic programs with workforce needs and preparing students for high-demand careers in emerging technologies and industries," said Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Mark Potter. "With the support of this degree, our students will be building AI systems that are bound to transform the way we live, learn and thrive."

This new degree at City Colleges offers a combination of theoretical understanding and practical experience, covering key areas such as data processing, supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, deep learning, model deployment, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Computer vision/Image Processing, and Ethics in Technology. Pursuit of this two-year degree will also serve as a foundation to further other academic pursuits or for career advancement in the field of study.

City Colleges' new program is centered on AI development, teaching students the technical skills needed to design, build, train, and deploy artificial intelligence systems.

"As AI transforms every sector of the economy, employers need professionals who understand how these systems are built and the people to build as well as utilize it," said Associate Vice Chancellor, Ayoka Noelle Samuels, City Colleges of Chicago. "It is a credited program that gives students the opportunity to develop the technical expertise needed to become AI developers and innovators while making AI education accessible through City Colleges of Chicago."

The curriculum is designed for students pursuing careers in software engineering, machine learning, data science, engineering, and other related fields, especially those based in STEM. Through the coursework, students will gain practical experience developing AI models and applications.

"This degree is about handing our students the tools they need to build their futures. With these AI skills and degree, they will have the ability to solve our city's biggest challenges, create groundbreaking technologies, and uplift their families and our communities," said President Andres Oroz, Wilbur Wright College.

In addition to the new associate degree, City Colleges of Chicago also offers an Advanced Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Development through Wilbur Wright College. This comprehensive program covers multiple topics including programming fundamentals, basic networking, introduction to AI, Operating Systems, Databases, Machine Learning and Ethics. Students will engage in both theoretical and hands-on learning and can earn college credit for this course.

For more information about the Advanced Certificate and Associate Applied Science degree in Artificial Intelligence, visit https://www.ccc.edu or call 312-COLLEGE. New students can register for fall 16-week classes through August 9, 2026. Classes start August 20, 2026; and the second session deadline to register is September 10 with next session starting class on September 20, 2026.

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About City Colleges of Chicago

As the city's most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity, City Colleges of Chicago catalyzes our students' capacity to prosper and take part in building a stronger and more just Chicago. For more information visit https://www.ccc.edu or click here; or call 312-COLLEGE (312-265-5343).

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