The AI boom has college majors of all types dabbling in computer science
With no background in coding , Faith Maeba, a psychology major, was reluctant when her mother first suggested she enroll in classes on artificial intelligence . But the senior at Virginia Commonwealth University began to see it differently as she looked into graduate psychology programs that explore human behavior in the workplace, which is quickly being upended by machine learning . Maeba, 21,…
As artificial intelligence continues to disrupt various industries, students from diverse academic backgrounds are increasingly incorporating AI-related coursework into their educational journeys. Faith Maeba, a psychology major at Virginia Commonwealth University, is one such example. Despite initially showing reluctance, she now pursues a minor in AI, crediting it for giving her an edge in the job market.
Similarly, colleges across the nation are adapting to the growing demand for AI literacy among students from all majors.
Institutions like Northwestern University, Purdue University, Harvard University, and Ohio State University have implemented AI-focused requirements for students. These include AI minors, introductory courses, freshman writing classes, and fluency requirements that encompass hands-on workshops. Northwestern, in particular, has expanded its computer science department to accommodate more non-majors, while other schools such as Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia have introduced interdisciplinary classes combining music and AI.
The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports a decline in enrollment of computer and information sciences programs, down by more than 8% in four-year institutions from the spring of 2025. However, this trend is not stopping colleges from prioritizing AI education, as they recognize the importance of AI skills for graduates across all disciplines.
As AI tools become more accessible, students from music, art, theater, and digital media programs are discovering how AI can enhance their work, blurring the lines between human creativity and machine assistance.
Despite concerns about AI potentially eroding basic knowledge in various fields, experts view the rapid changes in course offerings as a necessary adaptation to keep up with the evolving technological landscape. Colleges are striving to make AI education more accessible to students from all majors, preparing them to work at the intersection of art and technology.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
