The University of Idaho is adding three new artificial intelligence degree programs beginning Fall 2026, positioning the Moscow-based institution as Idaho’s leading academic center for AI education and research at a time when demand for skilled professionals in the field is growing rapidly across the region.
The new offerings include a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence, a master’s of science in artificial intelligence, and a master’s of engineering in artificial intelligence. All three will be available at both the Moscow and Coeur d’Alene campuses, and the graduate-level programs will also be offered fully online — broadening access for working professionals and students across Idaho and beyond.
Building on Four Decades of AI Education
While the new degrees mark a significant expansion, U of I’s history with artificial intelligence stretches back 40 years. The university introduced its first AI course in 1986, well before the subject entered mainstream conversation. Today, the department offers 14 AI-focused courses spanning machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, data science, adversarial machine learning, computer vision, and optimization. Existing certificate programs in AI, machine learning, robotics automation, and engineering have already been available to students.
The new degree programs are designed to combine classroom instruction with hands-on research and active industry partnerships — reflecting a model that U of I has already put into practice through several high-profile collaborations.
Among those partnerships, doctoral student Hunter Hawkins and Professor John Shovic worked alongside Amalgamated Sugar to create an AI-powered predictive system for a steam dryer — a direct application of advanced computing to Idaho’s agricultural processing industry. U of I researchers are also collaborating with the Washington University School of Medicine on ALS research through a Longitude Prize on ALS Discovery award, applying AI tools to one of medicine’s most difficult challenges.
On the data science front, Professor Xiaogang “Marshall” Ma is leading efforts to integrate AI tools into Mindat, the world’s largest open data interface of mineral species. The university is also the only Idaho institution conducting AI research through the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot program — a federally supported initiative that provides access to advanced computing resources for AI researchers.
National Partnerships and Federal Investment
U of I’s AI ambitions extend well beyond the classroom. The university is a participant in Google’s AI for Education Accelerator and a partner in a $4.5 million National Science Foundation-supported project called Artificial Intelligence for Research Administration, or AI4RA — an effort to apply AI tools to the administrative backbone of academic research institutions.
These commitments are also embedded in U of I’s long-range planning. The institution’s 2026–2030 strategic plan incorporates artificial intelligence across major areas of the university, signaling that AI is not a single department priority but an institution-wide focus.
University President C. Scott Green emphasized that the programs go beyond basic technology literacy. “Our students don’t just learn how to use AI, they learn how to build AI tools and systems, teach computers to understand and generate language on state-of-the-art AI infrastructure and apply AI in the real world,” Green said.
Steve Wang, professor and chair of U of I’s Department of Computer Science, pointed to the university’s blend of research and industry collaboration as a competitive advantage, saying the institution continues to shape the future of AI by preparing graduates to address complex industrial challenges through hands-on work and nationally recognized initiatives.
The employment outlook reinforces the timing of the university’s investment. The U.S. Department of Education projects AI-related employment to grow by 17.3 percent nationally by 2034. In the Mountain West region — which includes Idaho — projected growth is even higher, at 25.5 percent over the same period.
For more on the new programs, see our earlier coverage: University of Idaho Adding Bachelor’s and Graduate AI Degrees Starting This Fall.
What Comes Next
The three AI degree programs are scheduled to begin accepting students in Fall 2026. Prospective students interested in the bachelor’s program can enroll at either the Moscow or Coeur d’Alene campus, while those seeking a master’s degree have the added flexibility of fully online coursework. As U of I continues to grow its AI research portfolio and industry partnerships, the university’s role as Idaho’s primary hub for artificial intelligence education and innovation is expected to expand further in the years ahead. Follow Idaho statewide education news at Idaho News.