New Department of AI and Society pairs AI with communications, geospatial analysis and other disciplines

Travis White, AI+Responsible Communication major, pictured in Lockwood Library.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Seven new interdisciplinary artifical intelligence degrees launched last year are getting just the kind of attention the University at Buffalo had hoped.

As of January, UB had already admitted for fall nearly 200 students enrolling in degrees supported by the new Department of AI and Society. That’s in addition to the inaugural cohort of 30 students currently enrolled in this first-of-its-kind program.

“I really like the program, so far,” says Vince Romeo, who is majoring in AI and Policy Analysis. “I have only taken a few classes, but they have been nothing but interesting and entertaining. I love to learn about the future of AI and how it could help, or harm, the country.”

Romeo and fellow AI pioneers believe a better understanding of artificial intelligence will give them an edge in the job market.

“My thought was that adding this new major would set me apart from the competition and give me some skills that could get me a niche, higher-paying job that may not even exist yet,” says Travis White, an AI and Responsible Communication major.

“I’m excited about the doors it may open,” says Muhammad Mikaeyl Zaraz, who is majoring in AI and Quantitative Economics. “I believe the AI component will make me more competitive for future job opportunities, as well as for master’s programs.”

Preparing students

In its push to advance AI research and education for the public good, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul awarded UB $5 million to create the new AI and society department, which combines the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in society with traditional academic disciplines.

The Department of AI and Society is working with other departments to support degrees in:

  • Geospatial analysis, Department of Geography.
  • Language and intercultural competence, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures.
  • Language technology, Department of Linguistics.
  • Logic and ontology, Department of Philosophy.
  • Policy analysis, Department of Political Science.
  • Quantitative economics, Department of Economics.
  • Responsible communication, Department of Communication.

The department also supports two AI-focused minors: AI ethics and artificial intelligence, crime and society.

The new degree programs provide a deeper understanding of AI’s history and societal implications while preparing students for the use of AI in their respective disciplines and across industries.

“This major caught my eye because in society, AI is constantly being pushed out to the public and it is undoubtably the future in many different ways,” Romeo says.

‘Extremely valuable degree’

Romeo, a freshman from Long Island, says his coursework provides a heavy understanding of how AI works and how it will be used in a variety of industries. It’s a versatile degree, he says, and covers a wide range of topics and career paths.

“I chose this major because I think it will be an extremely valuable degree in the next few years and I’m interested in all topics covered,” Romeo says.

AI and Quantitative Economics is one of the more popular of the new degrees, bringing together two areas of study that Zaraz is passionate about.

“Being part of a program that integrates both feels like a valuable opportunity,” says Zaraz, a freshman from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “With this degree, I hope to broaden my understanding of how economics can be applied in more technical and data‑driven ways.”

White, meanwhile, likes that his major stresses “responsible communication.”

“I want to help the growth of AI and to incorporate it into society, advancing us into the future while also making sure it is ethical and safe for the everyman,” says White, a sophomore from Fairport.

Building a department

Inspired by the “CS+X” degrees at other institutions that combine computer science with other fields, UB’s “AI+X” model is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, according to department heads.

The fall semester was spent building the department and bringing aboard faculty, explains department Chair Atri Rudra and Associate Chair Jeff Good. Courses began this semester.

The department currently has eight members. Rudra and Good project a total of 12 or more tenured and tenured-track faculty by fall 2027, as the department works on developing more degree options.

The vision and development of the new department will be part of the discussion during a two-day workshop scheduled Feb. 26-27 in the Center for the Arts.

“What we’re hoping, from the point of view of students, is they’re getting trained in working across disciplines,” Rudra says. “This makes sense moving forward from a job perspective because I think that’s where the jobs are going to be.”

AI jobs

For White and Romeo, while they’re not sure what their future job prospects will look like, they are optimistic.

“Like I said before, I’m not even sure the job I want exists yet,” White says. “But whatever it is I want to assist in making groundbreaking advancements with AI or making people’s lives easier with AI.”

“As of right now, I’m not confident in where I want to end up, and I’m not sure anyone really is,” Romeo says. “However, I am interested in public policy, and having a good background in artificial intelligence will be huge when a lot of policy is regarding AI.”