New AI Minor Broadens Access to Artificial Intelligence Education

Columbia Engineering has announced the launch of its new minor in Artificial Intelligence, an innovative program designed to provide non–computer science majors in the Engineering School with a foundation in AI, computing, and their ethical and responsible use. As AI becomes increasingly relevant across every field, from healthcare and journalism to environmental science and design, the new program prepares students to engage thoughtfully and effectively with this powerful technology.

“With this new minor, we are excited about the opportunity of preparing our students to lead in a future where artificial intelligence can be combined with skills in various disciplines to solve real-world problems in a responsible way,” said Shih-Fu Chang, Dean of Columbia Engineering.

The six-course curriculum builds upon foundational math and programming to advance to advanced applications of AI. Students begin with linear algebra, probability, and programming competency, often utilizing AI-assisted tools, before progressing to core courses on artificial intelligence, ethics, and electives drawn from a broad list of more than 40 AI-related classes across the university.

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“Emerging technologies that use AI are increasingly relevant in domains outside of computer science,” said Luca Carloni, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science at Columbia Engineering, who has supported the development of the new program. “We recognized a growing demand from students across the University to understand how AI works, how to apply it responsibly, and how it impacts a wide range of disciplines.”

What sets Columbia’s AI minor apart is its commitment to responsible AI. Alongside a dedicated ethics course, issues such as bias, fairness, and environmental impact are woven throughout technical coursework. This approach ensures that students not only develop technical proficiency but also learn to consider the social implications of AI technologies.

“The presence of an ethics requirement and a long list of potential electives from across the University are strengths of this program,” noted Adam Cannon, Teaching Professor of Computer Science. Cannon helped design the program after developing such innovative courses for non-CS majors at Columbia as Computing in Context and AI in Context. “We want to give Columbia students the perspective and the tools that they will need after graduating so that they can have immediate impact in their respective fields,” he said.

Open to Columbia Engineering sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have declared a major outside of computer science, the minor invites students from diverse disciplines to engage with AI at both a conceptual and practical level.

“Our goal with this minor is simple: to make the core ideas of AI accessible to every engineer, not just those who major in computer science,” said Vishal Misra, RKS Family Professor of Computer Science and vice dean of computing and AI at Columbia Engineering. “We want students to understand how these tools work, how to use them responsibly, and how to bring them into their own disciplines in thoughtful and practical ways. AI is changing every field, and our students should be prepared to shape that future–not be intimidated by it.”

The program’s long-term vision centers on empowering students to become thoughtful innovators who can apply AI responsibly across a wide range of disciplines. 

Interested students are encouraged to speak with their advisors in the Berick Center for Student Advising (CSA) and the Computer Science Department. Specific curricular questions can be directed to [email protected].

Lead Photo Credit: John Abbott