HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - Enrollment is now open for University of Nebraska-Omaha’s new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence program.

The school recognizes that Artificial Intelligence is where a lot of the tech world wants to go, and it’s where they want their students to be able to go as well.

The degree is very flexible, which allows students to choose what field they study and then take AI courses on top of it.

“The great thing about this degree, unlike many technology degrees, is that we have deliberately designed this to be a welcoming degree,” Mahadeven Subramania, the department chair of the computer science department said. “The requirements are relatively less compared to degrees like for example other computing degrees and computer science degrees after you get the basics of it, you can branch out to whatever you want to do. A lot of it. A lot of AI is being used in medicine, if you want to do that maybe you can add there.”

When speaking at length to Subramania, he shared that this is a very important project to him. He has been the champion of getting this program together, and making sure that Artificial Intelligence is used for the right reasons.

“We really have to make sure that these AI systems are within those guard rails,” Subramania said. “Especially as AI penetrates some of the sensitive areas which are civic areas.”

Subramania said they spent a lot of time working on this program and want to make sure to teach about all sides of the ethics debate.

Martha Garcia-Murillo, the dean of the College of Information, Science and Technology said another reason that they made this degree is to give Nebraska students a competitive advantage in all fields.

“They can really have a tremendous benefit by using this technology,” Garcia-Murillo said when referencing agriculture. “If we are very visionary, Nebraska can have a tremendous advantage as more and more farmers begin to use this technology. It can really significantly not only increase production, but reduce costs.”

As one of the only AI programs in the Midwest, Garcia-Murillo touts its uniqueness and how she hopes students from all over will consider UNO for the new program.

“At the end of the day, all who seek higher education want to contribute, to do good,” Garcia-Murillo said. “So, this is something that is very important to us to ensure that our students who are working with this technology in all the different areas of their interests are being utilized to have a positive impact.”

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