BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (WSYX) — Bowling Green State University (BGSU) has announced the launch of the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program designed to integrate artificial intelligence with a secondary field of study. The Bachelor of Science in AI + X will combine core AI education with disciplines such as computer science, mathematics, physics, history, journalism, or public relations.

The AI + X degree reflects our commitment to preparing students for the future of work.

“As a longtime innovator in computer and data science education, Bowling Green State University is excited to once again be leading the way in teaching and research with its first-of-its-kind bachelor’s degree in AI + X,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “As a public university for the public good, Bowling Green is committed to offering in-demand programs that support student learning experiences and opportunities while meeting the current and future workforce needs of Ohio and beyond.”

The AI + X degree will be housed in the BGSU Department of Computer Science, featuring coursework in Python programming, AI ethics, machine learning, and visualization. Students will also engage in courses within their chosen discipline to blend field-specific knowledge with AI expertise.

Graduates will be prepared for careers as AI developers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and roles that integrate AI with specific domains such as scientific research, social policy, and business analytics. The program’s design allows for the addition of new content domains as workforce demands evolve.

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“The AI + X degree reflects our commitment to preparing students for the future of work, where the ability to integrate AI with domain-specific knowledge is essential,” said Dr. JK “Jake” Lee, professor and chair of the BGSU Department of Computer Science.

BGSU’s introduction of this degree comes at a time when AI is increasingly integrated across industries, driving job demand. According to a 2024 PwC AI Jobs Barometer report, AI-related job postings are growing three and a half times faster than general job postings, with sectors integrating AI showing five times greater productivity growth.

The program is set to begin in Fall 2025, pending approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.