BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Atlantic University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new bachelor’s degree program in interdisciplinary artificial intelligence on Tuesday, clearing the way for the school to launch the program in fall 2026.
The new program, formally titled the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence, will be housed in FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science and is designed to combine technical AI training with a second discipline such as philosophy. University materials say the goal is to prepare graduates who can design and deploy artificial intelligence systems while also understanding their ethical, societal, and human implications.
According to FAU’s proposal, the degree will require 120 credit hours and give students training in programming, software design, data science, algorithms, and artificial intelligence, alongside coursework in logic, ethics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of science. The program will culminate in a capstone project in which students develop an AI solution to a real-world problem shaped by questions of fairness, accountability, and ethics.
FAU says the degree is meant to meet growing workforce demand for graduates who can bridge technical and policy concerns as AI expands across industries. The proposal points to potential career paths, including AI and machine learning engineer, AI software developer, AI ethics specialist, AI governance analyst, AI policy analyst, trust and safety specialist, algorithmic auditor, and AI bias and fairness specialist.
University officials wrote that the program is intended to position FAU as a leader in responsible and human-centered AI education. The proposal says the degree supports Florida’s innovation economy by preparing students to work in fields including technology, healthcare, finance, government, and policy.
The university also told trustees the program would not require additional faculty, curriculum changes, or new financial resources. Board documents say the degree can be launched using existing institutional capacity, with implementation set for fall 2026.
FAU’s proposal projects the program would start with about 20 students in its first year and grow to about 100 students by year five, with 30 to 40 graduates annually after that. The university said student interest has already been reflected through advising feedback, employer input, and broader national demand for interdisciplinary programs that combine technology and society.
University officials argue the degree fills a workforce gap by training students not only to build AI systems, but also to evaluate whether those systems are fair, trustworthy, and accountable.
