University of Idaho introduces three artificial intelligence degrees

The University of Idaho will launch three artificial intelligence degree programs this fall: a bachelor's degree, a master of science, and a master of engineering in AI. The programs will be available at the university's Moscow and Coeur d'Alene campuses. The move positions UI as the only institution in Idaho conducting AI research through a federally backed pilot program, at a time when the U.S. Department of Education projects AI employment to grow 17.3 percent by 2034.

New degree offerings span undergraduate and graduate levels

The three programs give students options at multiple academic levels. The bachelor's degree introduces undergraduates to AI fundamentals. The two master's tracks, an MS and an MEng, cater to students seeking research-oriented or applied engineering paths. All three will be available at both the Moscow and Coeur d'Alene campuses. The university already teaches 14 AI courses, covering machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, data science, adversarial machine learning, computer vision, and optimization. The new degrees build on that existing catalog, giving students a structured path through the material rather than isolated electives. This shift mirrors a broader trend in AI for Education, as public universities formalize AI training that was once scattered across computer science and engineering departments.

Federal research connection sets UI apart in Idaho

UI participates in the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot program, operated through the National Science Foundation. The program trains educators in AI, and UI is the only institution in Idaho taking part. That federal connection gives faculty access to research infrastructure and positions the university to influence how AI enters classrooms across the state. "Exploring AI has been a priority for the university, which plans to incorporate the technology 'across every major area of the institution,'" the university said in its announcement. The phrasing signals an institution-wide strategy, not a siloed department initiative.

Why this matters for educators

For K-12 teachers, college faculty, and instructional designers watching AI reshape their field, the new programs signal something concrete: a public university building formal AI credentials rather than treating the subject as a side project. The 17.3 percent employment growth projection covers roles that will touch education directly, from adaptive learning developers to AI literacy instructors. As school districts and colleges weigh how to train staff on AI