The minor initially was suggested by leaders and external advisory board members in Georgia Tech’s biomedical engineering department to provide more AI and ML curriculum for their students. 

“AI is so rampant in so many disciplines, and biomedical engineering students need to have that background before and after graduation,” said Jaydev Desai, associate chair for undergraduate studies in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. “Once we talked to the rest of the College about the minor, it quickly became clear that other schools had the same goals. This minor will truly be a transformative experience for our undergraduate students and make them competitive after graduation, be it in industry or pursuit of further education.”

Desai quickly found a partner in IAC when he spoke with Shatakshee Dhongde, the College’s associate dean for academic affairs. Together they built a program that teaches both the technical and policy aspects of AI. 

“This program is designed to address how AI and machine learning models are applied to solve some of the world's most pressing and complex problems," said Dhongde, who is also associate professor in the School of Economics. “Using AI/ML models with an understanding of the ethical issues around the technology is the real strength of this minor.”

Students on both tracks are required to take three core courses — including a philosophy course in AI ethics and policy — and two electives. 

Engineering courses are offered by six of the College’s eight schools: biomedical, chemical, electrical and computer, industrial systems, materials, and mechanical engineering. Subjects range from robotics to biomedical AI to signal processing and more.  

IAC courses cover topics that include machine learning for economics, language and computers, race and gender and digital media, and public policy. 

Organizers developed several new courses to create the minor. Desai has already heard from other Georgia Tech colleges and schools about adding more classes, and he’s excited to see many more undergraduate students at Georgia Tech benefit as the initiative expands. 

“We wanted to create something that will improve the educational experience of our undergraduate students and make them more competitive in the marketplace,” Desai said. “The current collection of courses also will make them stronger if they have a goal of starting their own businesses or creating devices. The minor really has a nice structure that welcomes other disciplines around the campus, and we look forward to them joining us in the future.”