The following story was originally published on the W&M School of Computing, Data Science and Physics website. – Edited
William & Mary officially launched a new AI minor, providing students with the tools to apply AI to their respective fields.
Delivered through schools of computing, data science and physics, AI miners emphasize not only technical skills, but ethical responsibility and a wide range of interdisciplinary applications.
“AI is no longer for computer scientists, it's transforming arts, history, law, business. It's virtually all discipline,” said Doug Schmidt, dean of the Department of Computing, Data Science and Physics. “Miniers are designed to complement William & Mary's majors, giving students the flow ency to apply AI in their field and bringing perspectives on the ethics, culture and human influence that the technical field desperately needs.”
The curriculum is designed to provide a hands-on experience for both AI systems and important tools that question the way they use them. Lessons on AI privacy, equity and broader impact are woven into every course and provide students with insight into problem-solving skills, real-world applications exposure, and AI's strengths and limitations.
Tucker Peters '28, a finance major and president of the W&M AI Club, understands the importance of students learning how to apply AI regardless of their major.
“AI minors give undergraduates the opportunity to combine William & Mary's historic liberal arts education with cutting edges in technology and prepare them to lead and innovate in their field,” Peters said.
As the AI field is evolving rapidly, the program was built with adaptability at its core. While faculty continuously update course content to reflect the latest tools and practices, students develop the resilience and flexibility that enables innovation to navigate a constant landscape.
The foundations for what comes
Schmidt described AI minors as the basis for future academic pathways, including AI BA and BS potential degrees and graduate-level programs. According to him, the aim is to create multiple pathways for students to acquire AI flow ency and apply it to a wide range of careers.
“Alumni of these programs are not only ready to work in an AI-driven industry, but also ready to lead, question and innovate in ways only William & Mary alumni can,” Schmidt said.
For more information about AI's new minors, please visit https://cdsp.wm.edu/ai/.
Randy Ready, School of Computing, Data Science, Physics
