The Wharton School introduces new undergraduate concentration and MBA major in artificial intelligence for business
The degree is designed to address the world’s growing demand for AI-related skills and expertise, and ‘represents a bold step forward in our mission to prepare the next generation to responsibly lead in an AI-driven world,’ says Wharton dean Erika James. The curriculum includes courses on applied machine learning, data science, neuroscience, data engineering, statistics, and ethics.
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The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has announced a new undergraduate concentration and MBA major in artificial intelligence for business. Designed to address the world’s growing demand for AI-related skills and expertise, artificial intelligence for business will equip students with a technical understanding of how AI systems can be used to solve business problems while also tackling the ethical, economic, legal, and societal issues AI raises.
“It is no longer a question of if, but how artificial intelligence will fundamentally alter every aspect of business and society, and business schools have a crucial role to play in ensuring that AI adoption leads to positive outcomes,” says Erika James, dean of the Wharton School. “At Wharton, we are simultaneously focused on harnessing AI’s transformative potential while also understanding and addressing its risks. Artificial Intelligence for Business represents a bold step forward in our mission to prepare the next generation to responsibly lead in an AI-driven world.”
The Artificial Intelligence for Business curriculum will include courses on applied machine learning, data science, neuroscience, data engineering, statistics, and the required ethics course, Big Data, Big Responsibilities: Toward Accountable Artificial Intelligence, among others. This course is led by Professor Kevin Werbach, director of the newly established Accountable AI Lab, which is dedicated to advancing the responsible development and governance of AI technologies.
With support from the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative, courses will be directly informed by Wharton faculty research, giving students access to academically rigorous and practically relevant knowledge in real-time. The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative will also provide resources for faculty to augment, adapt, and reimagine how they incorporate AI into classroom instruction and course materials.
“We are at a critical turning point where practical AI knowledge is urgently needed,” said Eric Bradlow, Vice Dean of AI & Analytics at Wharton. “Companies are struggling to recruit talent with the necessary AI skills, students are eager to deepen their understanding of the subject and gain hands-on experience and our faculty’s expertise on the adoption and human impact of AI is unmatched. Wharton is uniquely positioned to lead as we collectively confront the myriad of challenges and opportunities AI poses.”
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