Idaho State University is offering a degree in Artificial Intelligence Sciences beginning Fall 2026.
BOISE, Idaho — Following in Boise State’s footsteps, Idaho State University (ISU) recently received approval to offer a bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence Sciences. Under both the Departments of Mathematics & Statistics and Computer Science, ISU said the new degree track will “address the growing demand for AI professionals.”
A recent study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows employment in the data science field is set to grow by 34% as of 2034. According to the Employment Projections: 2024-2034 “demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems, data processing, software development, research services, and associated consulting services are expected to drive the need for workers in both the professional, scientific, and technical services sector by 7.5%.”
“This program reflects the strong collaboration between the mathematics & statistics and computer science departments,” said Emanuele Zappala, assistant professor in the mathematics and statistics department. “It is designed to give students both the theoretical background and the applied skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence.”
The degree program offers two concentrations: mathematics and statistics, which focus on the “mathematical foundations of the field,” or computer science, which emphasizes what the college describes as the “cutting-edge technologies powering artificial intelligence.”
“Although many may associate AI with computer science, many AI models consist purely of mathematics, the field that computer science came from, and statistics. So, there are many angles from which to approach AI,” Paul Bodily, associate professor of computer science, said. “Though AI is decades old, public interest has peaked in recent years due to the advent of Large Language Models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc. The foundational models for these systems have been around for decades, but breakthroughs in the specific design and scale of these models have led to the watershed moment we’re seeing now.”
While in-person class options will be available, ISU officials say up to 80% of the program’s work will be offered online, for both concentrations.
More information on ISU’s Departments of Mathematics & Statistics and Computer Science can be found at isu.edu/math and isu.edu/cs
Campus tours are available at isu.edu/visit