US colleges expand AI education programs

US colleges and universities are rapidly expanding artificial intelligence education programs in response to surging student interest from non-computer-science majors and cooling demand for entry-level software developers. Institutions such as Virginia Commonwealth University, Northwestern University, Purdue University, Harvard University, Ohio State University, and Eastern Mennonite University are introducing AI minors, majors, certificates, and graduation requirements. Computer science departments are pivoting to teach AI literacy to students across disciplines, from psychology and music to biology and neurology. Enrollment in computer and information sciences has declined over 8% at four-year institutions, while AI-focused courses and programs proliferate. Faculty and administrators note the pace of curriculum change has accelerated dramatically, with some courses approved in weeks rather than months. Concerns remain that reliance on AI tools may erode students' understanding of fundamental concepts, but the overall trend reflects a broad democratization of AI education.