Universities across the U.S. are observing a notable shift in student enrollment, with a decline in traditional computer science majors for the first time in years and a corresponding surge in specialized Artificial Intelligence programs. This trend is driven by student perceptions of a changing job market, where AI skills are seen as more valuable to employers, and recent difficulties for new computer science graduates in securing entry-level tech jobs.
In response, many universities are creating new AI-centric departments, degrees, and interdisciplinary programs to meet the rising demand. Institutions like MIT and the University of South Florida report that new AI-related majors are becoming some of their largest programs. This educational pivot reflects the massive investments by tech giants into AI and their increasing demand for a workforce with specialized skills in areas like machine learning and data science, rather than general programming.