University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point launches ethical AI degree.

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) is set to launch a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) this fall, marking a significant step in preparing students for the evolving AI workforce. According to UWSP, this new undergraduate program is designed to blend technical education in AI with a strong focus on ethics and practical application, reflecting the growing importance of AI across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and cybersecurity.

The curriculum offers a comprehensive approach, covering foundational and emerging AI topics including deep learning, neural networks, natural language processing, machine learning, and AI-driven cybersecurity. Students will also engage with cloud environments and big data, ensuring they gain a broad, and current, technical skill set. A unique aspect of the program is the integration of ethics and social responsibility into coursework, addressing issues such as privacy, bias, fairness, and the societal impacts of AI. This approach is intended to prepare students not only to develop AI technologies but also to critically evaluate their consequences and advocate for responsible AI use.

Practical, hands-on learning is emphasized throughout the program. Students will participate in projects that apply AI concepts to real-world problems, including a capstone course where they will design and build functional AI systems for local groups. According to UWSP, one such project launching with the program involves developing a chatbot to assist a local agency’s customer support team by providing fast access to internal policy information. This collaboration reflects UWSP’s commitment to community engagement and aims to ensure that students are ready to meet regional workforce needs.

Associate Professor Tomi Heimonen, a leader in the program, highlights the balance between theory and application. In the UWSP announcement, he noted “I think the hallmark of all our courses is that it’s not just theory. There’s a pretty heavy application emphasis in all of them.” Heimonen adds that AI systems should be understood as tools that learn from data and produce outcomes, rather than the science-fiction portrayal of autonomous robots. Ensuring accuracy, fairness, and transparency in AI decisions are presented as important guardrails for trustworthy AI deployment, which the program emphasizes through its ethical framework.

The program’s launch responds to a recognized gap between the demand for AI-trained professionals and the supply of qualified graduates within Wisconsin. Supported by state workforce development funds, UWSP aims to position itself among the region’s leading AI educators by preparing students to enter the workforce with specialized AI skills. Graduates should be well-equipped for roles such as software developers, computer and information systems managers, and computer systems analysts - positions that increasingly require familiarity with AI tools and methodologies.

Beyond technical and ethical training, the program also focuses on communication skills, ensuring students can explain complex AI concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. This is seen as critical given the expanding integration of AI into systems such as recommendation engines, fraud detection, and natural language interfaces, making AI literacy essential across professions.

In line with the introduction of this degree, UWSP also has a Generative Artificial Intelligence Classroom Usage Policy to guide the ethical use of AI tools in academic settings. The policy prohibits unauthorized use of generative AI in coursework unless explicitly allowed by instructors and encourages faculty to set clear guidelines on acceptable AI use.