Idaho State University to offer artificial intelligence degree
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POCATELLO — Idaho State University is launching a new degree program in artificial intelligence to meet growing demand in one of the fastest growing fields in technology.
The university has received approval to begin enrolling students in a bachelor’s degree program in artificial intelligence sciences starting this fall.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in artificial intelligence-related fields is projected to grow by 34 percent by 2034.
The new degree announcement comes about a year after Boise State University began offering a similar bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence science in fall 2025.
The new ISU program will be jointly offered through the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Science. University leaders say the degree is designed to prepare students for careers in a field expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
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“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.”
Students in the program will be able to choose between two concentrations: mathematics and statistics, which focus on the theoretical foundations of AI, or computer science, which emphasizes the technologies driving modern applications.
“Although many may associate AI with computer science, many AI models are rooted in mathematics and statistics,” said Paul Bodily, associate professor of computer science.
Bodily noted that while artificial intelligence has existed for decades, public interest has surged in recent years with the rise of large language models such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude.
Faculty say the program could eventually expand into interdisciplinary areas, including healthcare, business and engineering.
“The real opportunity is in where this program can go,” said Leslie Kerby associate professor of computer science. “AI is inherently interdisciplinary, and we’re excited about future pathways that allow students to apply these tools in high-impact, real-world fields.”
In addition to in-person instruction, up to 80 percent of coursework for the degree may be offered online.
For more information go to https://www.isu.edu/math/ or https://www.isu.edu/cs/.