New Artificial Intelligence Certificate now available for UK students
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 10, 2024) — As industries worldwide integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their processes, the demand for talent with AI proficiency is no longer a futuristic vision — it’s an urgent reality.
The Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky, in collaboration with various colleges and departments across campus, is stepping up to meet this need, preparing the next generation of innovators through its Department of Computer Science.
Starting Spring 2025, undergraduate students will have the opportunity to enroll in the new AI Certification program. The 12-credit certificate offers mostly hands-on, in-person coursework and is open to students from all UK colleges.
According to the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report, the need for AI talent is at an all-time high, with technical AI talent hiring up 323% in the past eight years.
The business leaders surveyed in the report indicated, finding nontechnical talent with AI proficiency is equally important, with 66% stating they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills and 71% saying they’d rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without them.
The certificate program aims to arm students with the AI literacy necessary in today’s world. Despite popular belief, AI systems do not operate independently and require human participation to reach decisions.
Brent Harrison, director of the AI certificate program and associate professor of computer science, said his department recognized there was a need to not only educate those building the systems, but those utilizing them as well.
“It’s quickly becoming apparent that AI will be a mainstay in our lives,” he said. “Because of this, AI competency and understanding are skills that are important for everyone.”
The AI certificate program allows students to customize their learning experience to align with their personal goals and interests — providing degree-seeking undergraduates the chance to explore AI technologies from multiple perspectives.
“This certificate is designed so that students can take classes that best suit how they see themselves interacting with AI systems. If a student wants to learn how to use programming to develop AI models, then we have classes that can teach that,” Harrison continued. “If a student wants to focus on learning how AI models can be used in practice rather than programming, there are classes that cater to them as well. This certificate aims to make learning about AI accessible to anyone who is interested.”
The accessibility factor is another cornerstone of the certificate. The department sought to create a program that was not limited only to those pursuing engineering or computer science degrees.
“The AI certificate can enhance any program of study at UK,” Judy Goldsmith, professor of computer science and associate chair of the Department of Computer Science, said. “We designed this certificate with all undergraduate students in mind.”
The certificate requires an introduction to AI course, an introduction to machine learning course, a computer and data ethics course, and one elective course. Each required area of coursework provides options without programming prerequisites.
For more information about the AI Certificate and to apply, click here.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.