Key Takeaways
- Eastern University has approved an 18‑credit‑hour Artificial Intelligence minor set to launch in fall 2026.
- The minor was proposed by Toqeer Israr, Interim Assistant Chair of the School of Technology, and will be taught by Professor Ammar Bhutta.
- Core curriculum consists of existing technology courses plus one newly created class, AI Technologies (4833), which focuses on building a domain‑specific AI chatbot.
- The program emphasizes hands‑on labs, ethical AI use, and interdisciplinary applicability across majors such as business, music, and symbology.
- Faculty aim to integrate AI concepts into existing courses and consider environmental impacts while preparing students for industry expectations.
- Initial student reaction is mixed—enthusiasm for skill development alongside concerns about AI’s environmental footprint and usage policies.
- The minor is viewed as a first step toward future offerings, including a potential graduate certificate in AI.
Overview and Approval Timeline
The AI minor received formal approval from Eastern’s Council on Academic Affairs on February 26, 2026, after being introduced to the university on December 8, 2025. Toqeer Israr, Interim Assistant Chair of the School of Technology, spearheaded the proposal, noting that the program aligns with the growing demand for AI literacy in the workforce. The minor will be available to students beginning the fall semester of 2026, marking Eastern’s first structured undergraduate pathway dedicated to artificial intelligence.
Goals and Rationale
Israr articulated that the minor’s primary purpose is to equip students with a technical foundation in AI so they can effectively collaborate with industry professionals who already rely on the technology. He stressed that understanding AI is not limited to computer science majors; rather, it complements diverse fields such as business forecasting, musical composition, and symbolic analysis. By providing this knowledge, the program aims to bridge the gap between disciplinary expertise and the AI‑driven tools those disciplines increasingly employ.
Curriculum Details and New Course
The minor requires 18 credit hours, most of which are drawn from existing courses within the School of Technology. The sole newly developed component is AI Technologies (4833), a high‑level survey of AI concepts that will serve as the program’s cornerstone. According to Israr, this course will cover fundamental topics such as machine learning, neural networks, and data preprocessing, while also highlighting real‑world applications. Bhutta, the professor assigned to teach the class, described it as a hands‑on lab where students will construct an AI chatbot tailored to a specific knowledge domain relevant to their major.
Hands‑On Learning Approach
Bhutta emphasized the experiential nature of the AI Technologies course, explaining that students will design an architecture for a chatbot and then train it using a curated set of resources—such as 100 PDF files—selected to reflect their field of study. This approach limits the model’s scope, allowing learners to see how AI can become a specialist tool rather than a generic knowledge base. By focusing on a narrow, major‑specific dataset, students gain insight into data curation, model training, and evaluation, all critical competencies for responsible AI development.
Integration Across Disciplines and Ethical Considerations
Beyond the dedicated minor courses, Israr plans to weave AI discussions into existing technology classes, demonstrating how AI can enhance topics already being taught. He also highlighted the program’s commitment to ethics, noting that coursework will examine AI’s societal impacts, including its effect on natural resources and electricity consumption. Israr framed these discussions as essential for ensuring that AI deployment advances efficiency without compromising environmental stewardship or ethical standards.
Student and Faculty Perspectives
Reactions to the new minor have been varied. While Israr reports enthusiasm among his current students, who are eager to engage with AI‑focused coursework, former Student Government Vice President of Academic Affairs Emilee Boyd conveyed skepticism from a broader student base. Boyd noted concerns about AI’s environmental footprint and uncertainty regarding how extensively students will be permitted to use AI tools in assignments. Bhutta addressed these worries by stating that the program will encourage responsible AI usage—requiring citations when AI informs work and prohibiting submissions that are wholly AI‑generated—to mirror industry practices where AI augments, rather than replaces, human effort.
Future Outlook and Graduate Opportunities
Looking ahead, Bhutta hinted at the possibility of expanding the AI offerings into a graduate certificate, positioning the minor as the inaugural step in a broader educational strategy. Both Israr and Bhutta expressed confidence that the program will evolve based on student feedback and industry trends, with potential new courses emerging as interest grows. They affirmed that Eastern intends to stay aligned with technological advancements, ensuring graduates possess the AI competencies that employers increasingly demand while maintaining a strong ethical and environmental conscience.