April 29, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by Dakota State University.

Artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm.

From Google maps and voice assistants to self-driving cars and smart home security systems, artificial intelligence, or AI, has made its way into everyday life with its ease of use and ease of access. AI also has impacted almost every industry, including agriculture, health care, business and education.

Now, Dakota State University is making it easier for students to leave their mark on the world of AI with two new degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Organizations.

The online and on-campus programs meet the growing interest of students and will continue to excel on AI advances through research and development within DSU. These programs also equip Trojans with an overarching knowledge of AI, what it is used for and how it can be developed in a variety of industries.

Sam Kooima, a DSU computer science major with an artificial intelligence specialization, became interested in AI when he discovered an app that transfers styles from famous paintings onto any picture.

Learning about AI within his major only fueled that passion more, making him excited for future Trojans enrolling in these new AI programs.

“DSU is already a leader in cybersecurity education and research, so AI will certainly be a part of the growing curriculum regarding security and other fields. It’s going to make DSU even more appealing for future Trojans,” Kooima said.

AI already has made its mark on the campus through research and development in MadLabs™.

The Artificial Intelligence Lab within MadLabs is committed to pioneering and conducting scientific research in the field of AI, as well as applying AI to address the emerging challenges in various smart applications such as security and privacy, Internet of Things with 5G, edge computing and more.

Each degree, however, will have a unique path for any enrolled student to follow.

Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence

One unique pathway for Trojans is the BS in AI, hosted in The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences.

Before creating this program, DSU offered students special topics courses for machine learning at the undergraduate level. Once students expressed their interest to study these topics on a more in-depth level, more special topics courses were created, ultimately resulting in the creation of an AI minor.

But as DSU hired more faculty with expertise in AI and machine learning, interest soared.

“At that point, we decided to explore a full bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Austin O’Brien, assistant professor of computer science. “We just want to ensure that we can offer a quality program that merits standing on its own and that there’s a job market for these students to go into post-graduation.”

Designing the program in a way that’s accessible to all students, O’Brien and Dr. Pat Engebretson, dean of The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, kept computer science, math, statistics and analytics at its core.

As freshmen, students will take an introductory course to give them an idea of what AI is. After that, they’ll take machine-learning courses focusing on modern methods of algorithms and applications, along with higher-level AI courses covering methodologies and algorithms not under the umbrella of machine learning. Other courses include data analytics, reinforcement learning, generative deep learning and computer vision.

“My favorite part of AI is that it’s always growing. There are constantly new pieces of tech to learn about. It’s rewarding for those yearning to learn,” Kooima said.

Furthermore, students will be required to have a minor outside of the AI field, which will assist them in applying principles of AI in a way that interests them. There will also be a focus on ethics, as AI is said to bring about incredible changes to the economy, the way people work and how society interacts.

Because DSU is no stranger to quality programs and technology, it has incorporated these subjects, as well as AI and machine learning, into curricula and research at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In fact, students continuously work on projects, dissertations, presentations and competitions that involve AI – all of which increase student engagement.

With a solid foundation and desire to learn, graduates of the AI program could go on to graduate school and/or secure jobs as data analysts, software developers, researchers, machine-learning engineers or even freelance contractors.

“To have DSU at the forefront of meeting the demand for AI jobs is incredibly exciting. I anticipate that these programs will create many collaborative opportunities for students, faculty and future employers within our university and beyond,” O’Brien said.

Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Organizations

The other unique pathway for Trojans is a BS in AI in Organizations, hosted in the College of Business and Information Systems.

Dr. David Zeng, assistant research professor of information systems, along with Dr. Dorine Bennett, dean of the College of Business and Information Systems, and a group of faculty members in the college, worked together to create this program, which is designed for students who are fully dedicated to studying AI applications and solutions in an organizational context.

Students who choose this pathway focus on what AI is, how it’s used in businesses and organizations, and how to develop skills for applying AI tools and methods in a variety of industries.

They’ll also concentrate on addressing organizational needs, as well as managing and working on AI-driven projects, and combining the ubiquity of data and the automation of business processes in organizations.

“AI is creating a technological revolution that will change the world we are living in, in profound ways,” Zeng said.

Those changes mean graduates will need a strong grasp on AI-dexterity, which is one of the highly in-demand skills within a workplace. This AI-dexterity will be found in classes like Applied AI Applications, Application and Strategy of AI, and Data Analytics, along with courses in business and information systems.

With the Application and Strategy course as the capstone of the program, students will work in teams with real problems and datasets from organizations to apply AI solutions, solve problems, evaluate the organizational impact of solutions and develop strategies for organizational changes to harness benefits of AI.

“The skills students develop in this program are required in the future workforce and will enable them to utilize AI to become more effective and efficient at their jobs,” Zeng said. “It will also empower them to grow as leaders in the region to lead AI transformation.”

Careers for graduates with the degree in AI in Organizations will require the upmost AI-powered business skills. Business and organizations will utilize AI to optimize their processes and achieve efficiency and to create products and services at scale, as well as develop and implement strategies for AI-induced organizational transformation at rapid speeds.

The College of Business and Information Systems welcomes organizations, businesses and government agencies in the region to contact faculty advisers and student teams to develop real AI solutions for their patrons.

“DSU, with its mission of providing educational opportunities in the most advanced and innovative technologies, will further enhance its reputation as a regional leader in educating the next generation of business leaders about AI, which is the most important technology in our lifetime,” Zeng said.

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree will be available beginning in the fall of 2021. The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Organizations degree is pending final approval from the South Dakota Board of Regents.

For information, please visit dsu.edu.