November 26, 2024

The Country’s Largest HBCU Is Set To Offer An Undergraduate Degree In AI

HBCU

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) is making history as the first university in North Carolina to offer a standalone undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence (AI). 

Approved by the UNC System Board of Governors, this Bachelor of Science program will be available at the nation’s largest historically Black university and the leading producer of Black engineering graduates, starting in fall 2025.

Meeting Workforce Demands

NC A&T’s program aims to meet the demand of increasing AI use by equipping students with expertise in advanced AI systems and applied AI applications, preparing graduates for immediate impact in the workforce.

“Our new bachelor’s degree will prepare students for immediate impact, especially in the critical area of human interaction with AI,” said Chancellor James Martin, according to ABC11.

A History of Excellence in STEM

As a leading STEM institution and the top producer of Black engineers in the US, NC A&T is no stranger to AI innovation. 

The university has a history of AI research and partnerships with prominent organizations like NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, and institutions such as MIT and Duke University. 

The new curriculum will offer two concentrations—Advanced AI Systems within the College of Engineering and Applied AI within the College of Science and Technology. 

This new program aligns with NC A&T’s pursuit of the prestigious Carnegie R1 research classification. 

Discussions are already underway to introduce graduate degrees in AI.


Feature Image Credit: NC A&T

Sara Keenan

Tech Reporter at POCIT. Following her master's degree in journalism, Sara cultivated a deep passion for writing and driving positive change for Black and Brown individuals across all areas of life. This passion expanded to include the experiences of Black and Brown people in tech thanks to her internship experience as an editorial assistant at a tech startup.