LAKE WORTH, Fla. (CBS12) — Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a bigger part of our daily lives.
This means there is a growing demand for skilled workers who can use it.
That’s why Palm Beach State College (PBSC) is offering a new Associate of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence. The new two-year degree was introduced for the first time on Monday.
Now, the first week of classes for students pursuing a brand new AI degree ends on Friday.
PBSC officials say AI will change not just technology but also students’ futures, which is why they want to be clear that this new degree is not just a basic introduction to AI.
The curriculum focuses on all aspects surrounding the field of AI.
At the beginning of the class, students learn how to successfully apply AI across industries. As they progress, they learn the behind-the-scenes work of developing, building and coding AI solutions. Professors also teach students how to take ethical considerations into account.
Students CBS12 News spoke with said they are studying for this degree to prepare them for new job opportunities opening up in the field.
“This degree gives me a lot of opportunities. Not just in the technology field, I feel like artificial intelligence is coming into multiple fields. In the medical field, there are a lot of opportunities to improve the medical field with artificial intelligence. So, that’s something I’m interested in,” said Yazmin Aguiar, a student at Palm Beach State College.
Professors of the degree course say machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, programming and problem-solving skills are key areas of study for the program.
“Students can take the knowledge they gain from not just the individual courses and the college credits they earn along the way, but the entire associate of science degree, and apply it in any field, whether that be marketing, gas station management, resource management or the financial sector,” said Scott Hammond, an AI professor at Palm Beach State College.
CBS12 News has been told a Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence is currently in development. There’s no word yet on when it will be available to students.
