Code to Cognition: How Top Colleges are Redefining CS and AI Majors

Carnegie Mellon University was the first to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) major and now many top colleges like Massachusetts Institute of Technology are following suit. Even at the high school level, many districts are pioneering AI and mechatronics pathways for students to differentiate their engineering pathways. As AI becomes more pronounced across universities, this leaves many students begging the question: Should I major in AI or computer science (CS)?  

Why AI Focus

AI has been making headlines with the rise in ChatGPT and the implementation of AI tools in popular platforms like Google and Instagram. The industry has created demand for AI with applications across all fields like medicine, art, and economics. This leaves many, including CS-focused students wondering just how far their CS degree will take them and whether their occupations will be automated or not. So, what are colleges doing about this?   

The Rise in Campus-Wide AI initiatives

In response to the rise in AI usage, institutions like Dartmouth College have launched campus-wide initiatives to teach how to harness AI for interdisciplinary learning. With the launch of their partnership with Anthropic and Amazon Web Services, students and faculty will be able to learn AI literacy and responsible use in problem solving. Essentially, top colleges are leaning towards teaching how to responsibly use AI, how to question it, and how to apply it. 

The Emergence of AI-Focused Majors at Top Universities

AI is the newest trend for engineering-minded students to major in, with many universities now differentiating the field from CS to accommodate the increasing demand for machine learning experience. Over the last few years, the most notable AI-centered fields are MIT’s B.S. in Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making,the University of Pennsylvania’s B.S.E. in AI, and Purdue’s B.S and B.A. in Artificial Intelligence. This past Fall 2025, the University of California, San Diego unveiled their AI major with 150 first year students as a part of their initial cohort. For many of these majors, the universities emphasize applying AI to solve societal challenges. 

Should I Major in AI or CS?

AI and CS are not completely separate, with many AI programs rooted in a heavy CS background. When considering which to major in, it’s important that students think about their long-term outcomes and contemplate the following: 

• Are you looking to work in the field or research after college? 
• Do you want something more interdisciplinary? 
• What are you interested in doing?

We suggest students take a look at what current AI and CS students are doing and what real-world experience they have. Are the programs they’re in rooted in industry partnerships and research or are they courses with trendy titles? Fortunately, in most universities, students have time to think about their major before declaring sophomore year. In the meantime, we suggest students select pathways that best align with their interests and strengths.

Key Takeaways

• There is a rising industry demand for AI so many colleges are differentiating AI majors.
• Top universities like Dartmouth are teaching how to responsibly use and question AI. 

When choosing which major (CS or AI), it’s important to consider one’s strengths and interests.

[image from Shutterstock/SomYuZu]