New Applied AI major prepares students to lead in an AI-powered world

To prepare students for a future transformed by AI, William & Mary is launching a new major in Applied AI.

Students working inside the new Integrated Science Center building on campus (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

This story originally appeared on the website of the School of Computing, Data Science and Physics - Ed.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people work, create, discover and solve problems. From health care and education to government, business and the arts, organizations increasingly need professionals who understand not only what AI can do, but more importantly, how to apply it responsibly to real-world challenges.

To prepare students for a future increasingly transformed by AI, William & Mary is launching a new major in Applied AI through the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics.
The major - the first in Applied AI offered at a public university in Virginia - is designed to bridge the gap between technical innovation and practical domain application.

Unlike traditional AI degree programs that focus on developing algorithms and building AI systems, the Applied AI major prepares students to use existing technologies to address real-world challenges across disciplines while considering the ethical, organizational and societal implications of their use.

"While artificial intelligence is rooted in computation, it's consequences are fundamentally human," said Doug Schmidt '84, M.A. '86, dean for the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics. "Tomorrow's leaders need to understand how to apply AI systems thoughtfully, responsibly and effectively. This major will prepare students not only to use AI, but to help shape how it is adopted across industries and organizations."

Meeting Industry Demand

As AI capabilities continue to evolve, employers increasingly seek graduates who can integrate AI into existing workflows, evaluate its outputs and ensure it is used responsibly.

"The Applied AI major is about helping students connect technology with domain expertise," said Dan Runfola, chair for the data science department. "Students who understand both their chosen field and how AI can responsibly support decision-making will be exceptionally well positioned as every industry continues to evolve."

The major will teach students how to translate complex problems into AI-enabled workflows, evaluate the quality and reliability of AI-generated results, recognize potential bias and limitations, and design solutions that combine human expertise with AI tools.
Runfola said the curriculum was designed to emphasize experiential-based learning, giving students opportunities to work on projects while developing practical experience with AI tools throughout their undergraduate education.

"Students will learn AI by putting it to work," stated Runfola. "Through real world projects they will graduate with a portfolio that demonstrates how they can use AI responsibly to solve meaningful problems in their chosen field."

Faculty across William & Mary already incorporate AI into research and teaching in areas ranging from environmental science and public policy to business, education, music and scientific discovery.

Expanding AI education at William & Mary

The Applied AI major builds upon William & Mary's expanding portfolio of artificial intelligence degree opportunities.

The university announced earlier this month a new AI & Ethics minor offered jointly by the School of Computing, Data Sciences and Physics and the College of Arts & Sciences, creating an opportunity for students to explore AI through both a technical and ethical perspective. Last fall the university also began offering an AI minor, and there are specialized AI concentrations within the Bachelor of Science in both the Computer Science and Data Science departments.

Together, these options provide multiple pathways for students to develop technical knowledge while exploring the ethical, societal and human dimensions of one of the most transformative technologies of our time. As artificial intelligence continues to transform nearly every profession, William & Mary's newest major is designed to ensure graduates are prepared not simply to keep pace with change, but to help lead it.

Click here to learn more about the new major in Applied AI.

Editor's Note: William & Mary is committed to preparing students for data-rich environments and an AI-driven world through thoughtful leadership and human-centered innovation. This vision is taking shape in the new School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics (CDSP) in collaboration with the entire campus. CDSP integrates AI tools into daily work, including news writing. The CDSP communications team used OpenAI's ChatGPT to assist in building this article. The team then reviewed and edited the article before publication.

Randy Ready, Communications Specialist

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