The University of Utah's board of trustees approved a new bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence, positioning Utah to become the first state to offer such a degree at the undergraduate level.
The program awaits final approval from Utah's State Board of Regents. If cleared, students will earn a full BA in AI rather than a minor or concentration within another major. The University of Utah joins a small but growing number of institutions nationwide designing standalone AI bachelor's programs.
The move reflects broader demand for AI expertise in the workforce. Tech companies, healthcare systems, and financial institutions increasingly recruit workers with formal AI training. A dedicated degree program allows students to build depth in machine learning, data science, neural networks, and AI ethics while meeting general education requirements.
Standalone AI bachelor's degrees remain rare. Most universities currently offer AI minors, certificates, or concentrations embedded within computer science programs. Programs at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pennsylvania, and a few others launched AI bachelor's degrees in recent years. The University of Utah's program would represent the first in its state.
The University of Utah's computer science department designed the curriculum to balance theory with practical application. Students will study foundational computer science, mathematics, and statistics alongside specialized AI coursework. The program likely includes capstone projects and internship opportunities with regional employers.
Utah's tech ecosystem has expanded significantly in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. Companies like Adobe, Google, and Oracle operate offices in the region. This local demand for AI talent may have influenced the university's decision to launch the degree.
The regents' approval remains the final hurdle. Regents typically review new degree programs for program quality, market demand, and financial feasibility. Assuming approval, the University of Utah could enroll its first AI bachelor's degree students within one to two years, depending on hiring timelines and program setup.