WATERVILLE (WGME) -- The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly growing in various sectors, including the workforce and higher education.
In a significant move, Thomas College has secured a $3 million grant from the Department of Labor aimed at weaving AI into its academic offerings. The college's ambition is to establish itself as a "college of the future" in this AI-dominated era.
According to President Jeannine Diddle Uzzi, the college plans to introduce new roles, courses, and even specialized majors focused on AI.
“Graduates entering the workforce today may work until about 2060 or 2070, and it's challenging to foresee what those years will entail,” Diddle Uzzi observed. “Our current priority is to forecast the impact of AI across various sectors, from healthcare to the arts, journalism, and business.”
In addition to earning degrees, the college aims to ensure that every student graduates with a strong understanding of AI.
The federal funding will facilitate the hiring of key staff, such as an AI specialist who will collaborate with faculty to seamlessly incorporate AI concepts into various courses.
The institution is also contemplating the development of entirely new majors, including one focused on AI management.
“In every sector, there will be a demand for employees who can efficiently, effectively, and responsibly utilize AI, as well as manage its outputs, which require human oversight,” said Diddle Uzzi.
Thomas College intends to leverage this grant to enhance students’ insights into the disruptions that AI will bring to different industries while opening up new career paths in the AI field.
“This technology is certainly here to stay, much like computers and cell phones have become integral to our lives,” Diddle Uzzi noted.
While it is still unclear how many additional courses or new majors will emerge from this grant, the college aims to integrate AI classes with existing business programs, emphasizing their interconnectedness in today’s job market.
