UMD to Launch 2 Bachelor’s Degrees to Explore Technical, Human Dimensions of AI

The University of Maryland will launch two new undergraduate degrees in artificial intelligence (AI), including one of the nation’s first interdisciplinary majors focused on the impact of AI on humans, with courses spanning philosophy, ethics, public policy and more.

And with a second degree focused on computational structures for AI systems, UMD will continue to build on its more than 60-year history developing the foundations of AI technology, plus a No. 9 ranking among public institutions in AI. Together, these degrees further strengthen UMD’s role in preparing the next generation of AI leaders.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every aspect of society, and universities have a responsibility to help shape how these technologies are developed, taught and used across fields. These new degree programs reflect our campuswide, human-centered approach to AI that combines technical expertise with perspectives from the humanities, arts and social sciences,” said Jennifer King Rice, UMD’s senior vice president and provost. “We want to prepare our students to contribute to AI’s development, but also question it, critique it and guide its use in ways that serve people and society.”

Both degrees were developed in partnership with the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM), created in 2024 to support faculty research, offer innovative and experiential learning opportunities, and focus on responsible and ethical AI technology to advance the public good across industry, government and society.

“These new degrees represent AIM’s core mission to train the next generation of AI researchers and practitioners to work across disciplines and shape the future of AI toward more equitable, humane and socially responsible futures,” said Neda Atanasoski, AIM’s associate director of education and professor and chair of the Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. “They are unique as AI majors because they are interdisciplinary by design, and they include courses from across UMD's colleges to bring technical, humanistic, social and historical approaches into conversation. Working to build these cross-campus connections has been exciting for AIM, and we look forward to seeing students in both programs learn from one another as they use that training to build AI that uplifts people and society.”

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