The University of Idaho announced Wednesday that students will be able to pursue a full degree in artificial intelligence starting this fall, a significant expansion of the Moscow institution’s technology offerings and a sign of how rapidly AI-related fields are reshaping higher education in Idaho.
Three degree options are now available: a bachelor’s degree, a master’s of science, and a master’s of engineering — all in artificial intelligence. The programs will be offered at U of I’s Moscow and Coeur d’Alene campuses, with graduate-level degrees also accessible online, making them reachable for working professionals across the state.
What Students Will Study
The programs are designed around three distinct emphases: cybersecurity-focused AI, human-centered AI, and robotics. That range reflects the breadth of industries now incorporating AI tools — from manufacturing and defense to healthcare and public services.
The university already had built a foundation for this expansion. Before the formal degree launch, U of I offered certificate programs in machine learning, robotics automation, and engineering. A library of 14 courses covering deep learning, natural language processing, and data science was already available to enrolled students.
University of Idaho President C. Scott Green said the program goes beyond teaching students how to use existing tools. “Our students don’t just learn how to use AI, they learn how to build AI tools and systems,” Green said in announcing the new degrees.
Computer Science Department Chair Steve Wang framed it as a continuation of U of I’s research mission, saying the university “continues to shape the future of AI by preparing graduates to address complex industrial challenges.”
Research Already Underway on Campus
The degree programs aren’t launching in a vacuum. U of I faculty and students have been conducting AI research for some time, with current projects focused on worker safety applications and the degenerative disease ALS. Those research tracks suggest the university intends for its AI program to have applied, real-world outcomes rather than remaining confined to computer science theory.
The connection between classroom instruction and hands-on research is increasingly important in the field, where industry demand for graduates who can build and deploy AI systems — not just use them — has outpaced the supply of qualified workers.
Faculty leadership in complementary areas of the university continues to strengthen the academic environment surrounding these programs. The University of Idaho recently appointed a math education scholar to lead its College of Education, an addition that may prove relevant as AI increasingly intersects with how students learn and how teachers are trained.
Idaho Universities Competing for AI Talent Pipeline
U of I is not alone in recognizing the growing demand. Boise State University announced its own bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence last year, meaning Idaho’s two flagship public universities are now both positioning themselves as pipelines for AI-trained graduates entering the workforce.
That competition could benefit Idaho employers looking to hire locally rather than recruit from out of state. It also signals that university administrators across Idaho see AI not as a passing trend but as a permanent feature of the job market — one that calls for dedicated degree programs rather than optional coursework.
For Latah County and the Moscow area, the new AI degree track represents a potential draw for prospective students choosing between Idaho’s public universities. U of I’s ability to offer the program on the Moscow campus, with graduate options online, gives it flexibility that could appeal to both traditional undergraduates and working adults already embedded in northern Idaho’s economy.
The university has additionally seen recent recognition of its faculty’s international reach — two U of I faculty members recently earned Fulbright Awards for international research and teaching — suggesting an institution that is broadening its academic profile on multiple fronts simultaneously.
What Comes Next
Enrollment in the new AI degree programs opens with the fall 2026 semester. Prospective students interested in the bachelor’s track can apply through U of I’s Moscow campus, while those pursuing graduate degrees have the option of attending in Coeur d’Alene or completing coursework fully online. The university has not announced enrollment caps or specific admissions requirements beyond its standard graduate criteria. Additional details are expected to be released as the semester start approaches.