Tennessee Technological University launches new artificial intelligence degree program

Tennessee Technological University is launching a new degree program in the Fall 2026 semester. The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence is the first of its kind in the state and will replace the former data science and artificial intelligence concentration within the computer science major as part of the Department of Computer Science.

According to an article on Tennessee Tech’s website, Joseph P. Slater, who serves as the dean of the College of Engineering, was quoted as saying of the new program, “While AI is used throughout the curriculum across Tennessee Tech’s degree programs already, this dedicated Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence is focused on understanding AI under the hood, ensuring its safety and engineering the next generation of intelligent technologies. This program will leverage our STEM expertise and the recently launched MInDS Center to ensure our graduates can be leaders in the continued evolution of AI systems that will be both secure and reliable. This is critical for all sectors of the economy, from manufacturing and energy to healthcare and research, and graduates will be able to find career opportunities in a variety of industries.”

When the program launches next fall, the university will become the first in the state to offer a bachelor degree program focused on the theory and development of artificial intelligence. The new program will initially offer a curriculum that is based upon the former data science and artificial intelligence concentration of the computer science major, though faculty members are already working on creating an expanded curriculum for the program, which will include courses about the interaction between humans and artificial intelligence and parallel programming.

Jerry Gannod, who serves as the chair of the Department of Computer Science, said, “When I started here at Tennessee Tech, we had the data science concentration. Eventually that changed into the data science and artificial intelligence concentration, and we've seen steady growth in that concentration over the past several years. With the confluence of everything happening within artificial intelligence, both nationally and also here on campus, it really became the right time to do this. This is a great way for us to position ourselves within the state as a leader in AI talent development. We’re building something distinctive—something that will attract students who see their future in this field and want to help shape it.”

The new program will complement the new MInDS Center that was established on campus in 2024. The MInDS Center is a hub for students, faculty, and community partners to work on artificial intelligence education and workforce development, including ethical applications of artificial intelligence. 

Bill Eberle, a professor of computer science and the co-director of the MInDS Center, said, “We’ll be rolling out even more advanced AI topics that are not currently covered in any courses on campus. This isn’t an applied AI degree. Our students want to build it, code it and understand the inner workings of it. We’re developing a program that emphasizes the foundations and engineering behind intelligent systems.”

Doug Talbert, a professor of computer science and the co-director of the MInDS Center, said, “MInDS is a focal point for AI on campus. So, you’ll see that many of the ideas that inform where the major goes will come out of faculty associated with the center and from our advisory board, which has great expertise in artificial intelligence. It’s a way to create greater AI synergy across campus.”

For more information about Tennessee Technological University, visit the school’s website.