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This fall, Drexel University plans to welcome its first class of students majoring in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
Drexel University is set to launch its first Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning major this fall. This development comes amidst ongoing national debates and concerns regarding generative AI's impact on various aspects of society, from community dynamics around data centers to fears of job displacement across industries.
The article highlights real-world applications of AI, such as its use by companies for advertisements, artists for music generation, and the replacement of entry-level job positions. Public sentiment, as indicated by Pew Research studies, shows that a majority of adults believe AI could worsen creative thinking and are more concerned than excited about its future, with terms like 'AI brain fry' emerging to describe cognitive overload from excessive use.
Despite the negative perceptions, AI is increasingly becoming an integral part of global workplace settings, accelerating operational paces and creating new demands for efficiency. Data from 2025 reveals that 91 percent of businesses are actively scaling up their AI implementation, suggesting that AI is a permanent fixture in organizational structures rather than a passing trend.
For Drexel, a university known for engineering, implementing an AI major is a strategic move to stay current with technological innovations and attract students interested in the evolving tech industry. However, the article acknowledges that many students, especially those in computer science, creative fields, and journalism, have mixed feelings due to observed negative shifts in the job market, data center controversies, and privacy concerns related to AI storing personal thoughts and emotions.
The article concludes that while it is premature to fully assess the long-term implications of Drexel's new AI major, the subject of artificial intelligence inherently provokes diverse opinions. While the curriculum can equip students for the future of technology, it also serves as a 'fearful reality check' for many, underscoring the critical and growing need for stronger laws and regulations to govern AI's development and usage.