Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and business students — not just computer science majors — need to know how to implement and use it beyond the classroom.
That's the thesis of David Marchick, who, as the dean of American University's Kogod School of Business, announced on Tuesday that all students at Kogod will have AI "infused" into their respective degree program's curriculum starting next fall. These AI-focused educational materials will also be embedded into Kogod's training courses for faculty and staff members as well as into new certificate offerings, among other areas.
"American University, like many others, is accelerating its AI-focused research agenda," Marchick said in a statement. "But the driving force behind the changes we announce today is the impact we will have on the student experience — and on student outcomes after they leave us.”
The curriculum changes affect 20 new or updated courses at the business school to ensure students graduate with expertise, not just an understanding, of AI and machine learning.
Doing so will require business students to learn computer programming languages like R and Python. They'll also become well-versed in how to use AI and machine learning models and tools, including how to perfect prompt engineering — the ability to tweak inputs and variables given to an AI model to better fine-tune its outputs.
Students will also learn of the risks and ethical challenges behind the use and implementation of AI.
"Kogod is moving swiftly to adapt to the market, and we are eager to continue updating and improving our approach as the AI landscape continues to change at pace," Gwanhoo Lee, chair of Kogod’s department of information technology and analytics, said in a statement.
The deployment of AI into all curricula at Kogod is the latest local development that has emerged amid increased use of the technology in the business world.
A January report from the International Monetary Fund found that 40% of global employment is already exposed to AI in some capacity, with most jobs in advanced economies incorporating the technology in some capacity.
AI-based startups have been able to benefit immensely from the increased interest in the various offshoots of the technology like those used for generative AI, content creation or data analysis. Last year, roughly one in three venture capital dollars invested in startups went to AI-related companies, according to data compiled by PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association.
