Boise State University is set to offer a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Science starting Fall 2025. Computer Science Department Chair Jerry Fails said he is excited — very excited.
“Most people, when they talk about AI, they’re referring to generative AI. But the tools and the science behind AI is what this degree is going to be providing, that foundation for people to be able to create and modify similar to how computers changed our world,” Fails told The Arbiter in an interview after the degree was approved.
Fails and his colleague Ira Burton, the director of the School of Computing at Boise State University and co-collaborator, said the major puts the university ahead of others nationwide.
“We’re on that leading edge … we will be leaders in terms of curricula as well as people that are prepared to develop these tools that are going to impact society,” said Fails.
Burton expressed his agreement.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for Boise State to lead. This is a space that is obviously growing rapidly and having Boise State have an AI Science degree sets it apart from the other universities and opportunities for students around the valley and state,” said Burton
Speaking before the State Board of Education, Fails said Boise State’s program stacks up well compared to other universities with AI-oriented degrees.
“We are very proud of the program that we have placed before you,” said Fails. “As we have been discussing some of the curriculum with some of our colleagues, they’re very impressed by the breadth that we have.”
Fails explained that the AI Science degree will specifically focus on developing students for professions where they will be working with and creating AI models.
Fails received a number of questions from the Board, one of which came from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield.
“Do you feel like you can be nimble enough? Education isn’t known for being really zippy to change on a dime, so do you feel like you can do that so you’re keeping up with the industry?” Critchfield asked.
“With regards to keeping things up to date, we have to do that in computer science already,” responded Fails.
“A lot of the foundations upon which things are built do remain the same; for example: machine learning and artificial intelligence have been around for decades. I studied them in grad school and undergrad. Obviously, things have changed with some advances in synergies with electrical and computer engineering as well as computer science,” said Fails, referring to improvements in semiconductor technology creating computational power that enables advanced AI models like ChatGPT.
After the final call for questions went unanswered, the Board moved to vote on the degree. Fails sat before the Board as they unanimously approved the Bachelor of Science in AI Science at Boise State University.
