As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, ranging from business to healthcare, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is launching a new artificial intelligence major aimed at preparing students for emerging careers in the rapidly evolving field.
The new major, housed within the Department of Computer Science, focuses on teaching students how artificial intelligence systems are built, not just how they are used. The program emphasizes technical skill development, hands-on learning and ethical responsibility, positioning graduates to compete for advanced technology roles after graduation.
According to department chair Dr. Zachary J. Oster, the major was developed in response to both workforce demand and the increasing visibility of artificial intelligence in everyday life. While AI tools like ChatGPT have brought the technology into the public spotlight, Oster said the underlying systems rely on complex foundations that require specialized training.
Modern artificial intelligence systems are driven by mathematics, programming and data analysis, all of which form the backbone of the new curriculum. Students enrolled in the major will complete extensive coursework in math and computer science, a level of precision Oster acknowledged may not appeal to everyone.
“It’s a challenging major,” Oster said.
But it is one that offers strong career potential for students willing to take on the workload.
In addition to technical instruction, the new major will incorporate coursework in psychology and ethics. University leaders say this approach is essential as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into society. Ethical considerations surrounding data use, bias and automation will be a required component of the program, ensuring students understand the broader impact of the technology they create.
Hands-on experience is a central element of the major. Rather than focusing solely on theory, students will work on projects that require them to design and implement artificial intelligence systems. Early coursework emphasizes individual projects while upper-level classes shift toward collaborative, industry-style development.
Oster said students will progress from building smaller AI tools to working in teams to create large-scale machine learning pipelines like those used in professional settings. Some of these projects may eventually benefit the university itself, though the primary goal remains for student learning.
The introduction of the AI major follows the recent success of UW-Whitewater’s cybersecurity program, which launched in 2022 and grew quickly due to high student interest and job market demand. Oster expects the AI major to experience growth as well, though possibly at a slower pace due to the program’s mathematical intensity.
“There’s demand for graduates of our AI major already,” Oster said, pointing to job postings in the Madison and Milwaukee areas seeking machine learning engineers and AI developers.
Beyond career preparation, the program also reflects the university’s evolving stance on artificial intelligence in education. Oster said the role of AI tools in the classroom depends largely on the learning objectives of each assignment. While he cautioned against using AI to replace foundational skill-building, he acknowledged its usefulness in advanced academic and professional contexts.
In upper-level computer science courses, students have already incorporated AI tools into capstone and software engineering projects. Oster said these applications have helped students improve efficiency and enhance the quality of their work.
As the artificial intelligence major prepares to welcome its first group of students, university leaders see it as an opportunity to position UW-Whitewater at the forefront of technological education in the region. The program aims not only to prepare students for high-paying, in-demand careers, but to also encourage responsible innovation in a field that continues to shape the future.
