Penn Engineering Launches First Ivy League Degree in AI

Penn bachelor’s in AI engineering pushes the limits on AI’s potential and prepares students to lead this world-changing technology.

Rob Spiegel

February 15, 2024

3 Min Read
Bachelor's in AI engineering
PhonlamaiPhoto for iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

At a Glance

  • AI education
  • AI engineering bachelor's

I guess you could say it’s about time one of the Ivy League schools smartened up about the importance of AI in engineering. It’s only been around in engineering for two or three decades. I would guess the heat of AI in the news has prompted the decisions by Penn to launch an AI bachelor’s. Or maybe it was the recognition that AI is becoming a way of life in the engineering profession.

Still, it’s good news. The University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science has introduced a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree. The degree will be the first undergraduate major of its kind among Ivy League universities and one of the very first AI undergraduate engineering programs in the US. 

Final_AGH_for_Penn-MAin.jpg

The Penn educators noted that AI transforming virtually every aspect of life: health, energy, transportation, robotics, computer vision, commerce, learning, and even national security. They see this creating an urgent need for innovative, leading-edge AI engineers who understand the principles of AI and how to apply them in a responsible and ethical way. 

“Inventive at its core, Penn excels at the cutting edge,” said Interim President J. Larry Jameson in the announcement. “Data, including AI, is a critical area of focus for our strategic framework, In principle and practice, and this new degree program represents a leap forward for the Penn engineers who will lead in developing and deploying these powerful technologies in service to humanity. We are deeply grateful to Raj and Neera Singh, whose leadership helps make this possible.”

Raj_and_Neera_Singh_Final_Final.jpg

The Raj and Neera Singh Program in Artificial Intelligence equips students to unlock AI's potential to benefits. Students will be encouraged to develop responsible AI tools that can provide superhuman attention to detail, and augment humans in making transformative scientific discoveries, researching materials for chips of the future, creating breakthroughs in healthcare through new antibiotics, applying life-saving treatments and accelerating knowledge and creativity.

Raj and Neera Singh are visionaries in technology and a constant force for innovation through their philanthropy. Their funding will support the leadership, faculty, and infrastructure for the new program.

"Penn Engineering has long been a pioneer in computing and education, with ENIAC, the first digital computer, and the first Ph.D. in Computer Science," said Raj Singh in a statement. "This proud legacy of innovation continues with Penn Engineering's AI program, which will produce engineers that can leverage this powerful technology in a way that benefits all humankind.”

His wife, Neera added, “We are thrilled to continue investing in Penn Engineering and the students who can best shape the future of this field.”

Preparing the Next Generation of AI Engineers

The B.S.E. in Artificial Intelligence curriculum will offer high-level coursework in topics including machine learning, computing algorithms, data analytics, and advanced robotics.

George J. Pappas, UPS Foundation Professor of Transportation in Penn Engineering, will lead the program. “Realizing the potential of AI for positive social impact stands as one of the paramount challenges confronting engineering,” said Pappas in a statement. “We are excited to introduce a cutting-edge curriculum poised to train our students as leaders and innovators in the ongoing AI revolution.”

About the Author

Rob Spiegel

Rob Spiegel serves as a senior editor for Design News. He started with Design News in 2002 as a freelancer covering sustainability issues, including the transistion in electronic components to RoHS compliance. Rob was hired by Design News as senior editor in 2011 to cover automation, manufacturing, 3D printing, robotics, AI, and more.

Prior to his work with Design News, Rob worked as a senior editor for Electronic News and Ecommerce Business. He served as contributing editolr to Automation World for eight years, and he has contributed to Supply Chain Management Review, Logistics Management, Ecommerce Times, and many other trade publications. He is the author of six books on small business and internet commerce, inclluding Net Strategy: Charting the Digital Course for Your Company's Growth.

He has been published in magazines that range from Rolling Stone to True Confessions.

Rob has won a number of awards for his technolloghy coverage, including a Maggy Award for a Design News article on the Jeep Cherokee hacking, and a Launch Team award for Ecommerce Business. Rob has also won awards for his leadership postions in the American Marketing Association and SouthWest Writers.

Before covering technology, Rob spent 10 years as publisher and owner of Chile Pepper Magazine, a national consumer food publication. He has published hundreds of poems and scores of short stories in national publications.

Sign up for the Design News Daily newsletter.

You May Also Like