The University at Buffalo will offer new artificial intelligence (AI) specialized degrees starting this fall, according to an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul. The programs, described as the first of their kind, integrate AI with established academic disciplines such as communication, economics, geography, language, logic, and policy analysis. The initiative is intended to prepare students for expanding AI applications across industries.
The development of these majors and minors was supported by $5 million in state funding awarded by Governor Hochul for the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Department of AI and Society initiative. The university expects enrollment in these programs to exceed 300 students annually by 2030.
“New York State’s investment in artificial intelligence for the public good is paving the way for generations of New Yorkers to understand and utilize this supercomputing power to its fullest potential,” Governor Hochul said. “Through University at Buffalo’s new degree programs, students will have the latest in AI education to help them pursue research and careers that will continue to evolve with further AI advancements.”
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr., who joined UB faculty and students for the announcement ahead of the 2025-2026 academic year, highlighted SUNY’s approach: “SUNY campuses are known for their rigorous academic programs to meet the high demands of our students and our economy. I am proud that the University at Buffalo is incorporating Artificial Intelligence in a meaningful and productive way thanks to their excellent faculty and as the result of significant funding from Governor Hochul and our state leaders. At SUNY, we work to ensure that AI is harnessed to do research for the public good, and when combined with disciplines as varied as language and geography we are helping our students learn in new ways that spark innovation and push new frontiers.”
UB President Satish K. Tripathi noted UB’s long-standing leadership in responsible AI research: “For more than four decades, UB has been a national and international leader in responsible AI research and innovation. Our new academic degree programs build upon this impactful legacy, providing UB students with the knowledge, skills, and interdisciplinary expertise that will enable them to harness the incredible power of artificial intelligence for the betterment of society while preparing them to lead effectively and ethically in our 21st century world.”
Seven bachelor’s degrees focused on AI were approved by the New York State Education Department for implementation this fall. Two minors—artificial intelligence crime & society, and AI ethics—have also been introduced.
Department Chair Atri Rudra stated: “This is not just about infusing AI into other disciplines. As much as AI can benefit the arts, humanities and social sciences, AI desperately needs the arts, humanities and social sciences as well. We recognize that AI systems cannot benefit society without an AI workforce that understands society.”
The curriculum covers computational fundamentals along with discussions on historical context and societal impacts of artificial intelligence.
The degrees span several departments:
– AI & geospatial analysis (Geography)
– AI & language/intercultural competence (Romance Languages & Literatures)
– AI & language technology (Linguistics)
– AI & logic/ontology (Philosophy)
– AI & policy analysis (Political Science)
– AI & quantitative economics (Economics)
– AI & responsible communication (Communication)
A committee comprising faculty from both Arts & Sciences as well as Engineering developed these programs over spring semester.
Elected officials praised UB’s move toward specialized training in emerging technologies:
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said: “As Chair of the Higher Education Committee, I am proud that SUNY is taking these important steps in public higher education with AI specialized degrees at the University at Buffalo. These programs pair artificial intelligence with core disciplines, so students earn the skills New York’s innovation economy demands. Public higher education should set the pace, and SUNY is moving quickly to deliver degrees students can earn beginning this fall. I commend Governor Kathy Hochul, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., and UB President Satish K. Tripathi for turning a bold idea into reality.”
State Senator Sean Ryan added: “By combining AI tools with a variety of disciplines, these new degrees will allow UB to better prepare students for the careers of tomorrow… This is a smart investment in our students, our workforce, and our region’s future.”
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes commented: “New York State continues to be at the forefront of AI research… The $5 million in funding for new programs at the University at Buffalo ensures our students will be on the cutting edge of this technology.”
UB currently employs more than 200 faculty researchers working on projects such as drug development using machine learning techniques; speech assistance tools; medical imaging improvements; deepfake detection; disaster response support; manufacturing modernization; among others.
Empire AI—a consortium housed at UB—is backed by over $500 million from public/private sources supporting research collaboration among ten universities including UAlbany https://www.albany.edu/, Binghamton University https://www.binghamton.edu/, Stony Brook University https://www.stonybrook.edu/, Rochester Institute of Technology https://www.rit.edu/, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai https://icahn.mssm.edu/, among others.
SUNY remains one of America’s largest comprehensive higher education systems serving about 1.4 million students through credit/non-credit courses across its 64 colleges/universities statewide http://suny.edu.
The University at Buffalo enrolls more than 30,000 students through over 500 degree programs each year; it is recognized as New York’s flagship public university.
