The Shift from Computer Science to AI: A New Academic Trend
In a notable shift within the University of California (UC) system, computer science (CS) enrollments have experienced a decline for the first time since the early 2000s. According to recent reports, there was a 6% drop in CS enrollment last year, following a 3% decrease in 2024. This trend emerges even as overall college enrollment in the United States increased by 2% nationally, as per data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The exception within the UC system is UC San Diego, which introduced a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) major this fall, attracting significant student interest.
This decline in traditional CS enrollments may initially appear as a temporary fluctuation, possibly linked to reports of fewer CS graduates securing employment post-graduation. However, it likely signifies a broader, more enduring shift in academic and professional landscapes. Internationally, countries like China are proactively integrating AI into their educational frameworks. As highlighted by MIT Technology Review, Chinese universities are embedding AI literacy into their curricula, viewing it as essential infrastructure rather than a threat. Approximately 60% of Chinese students and faculty reportedly use AI tools multiple times daily. Institutions such as Zhejiang University have made AI coursework mandatory, and leading universities like Tsinghua have established interdisciplinary AI colleges. In this context, AI proficiency is becoming a fundamental requirement.
In response, U.S. universities are rapidly developing AI-specific programs to keep pace. Over the past two years, numerous institutions have launched AI-focused majors. For instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reports that its AI and Decision-Making major has become the second-largest on campus. Similarly, the University of South Florida introduced a new college dedicated to AI and cybersecurity, enrolling over 3,000 students in its inaugural semester. The University at Buffalo established an AI and Society department, offering seven specialized undergraduate degree programs, which attracted more than 200 applicants before its launch.
However, the transition to AI-centric education has not been seamless across all institutions. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chancellor Lee Roberts noted a divide among faculty members—some are embracing AI integration, while others remain resistant. Roberts, who has a background in finance, is advocating for the incorporation of AI into the curriculum despite facing faculty opposition. The university recently announced the merger of two schools to create an AI-focused entity, a decision that has sparked debate among faculty. Roberts emphasized the inevitability of AI in professional settings, stating, No one’s going to say to students after they graduate, ‘Do the best job you can, but if you use AI, you’ll be in trouble.’ Yet we have faculty members effectively saying that right now.
Parental influence is also contributing to this shift. David Reynaldo, who leads the admissions consultancy College Zoom, observed that parents who previously encouraged their children to pursue CS degrees are now steering them toward fields perceived as less susceptible to AI automation, such as mechanical and electrical engineering.
Enrollment data indicates that students are actively choosing AI-focused programs over traditional CS degrees. A survey conducted by the Computing Research Association revealed that 62% of computing programs reported declines in undergraduate enrollment this fall. Conversely, AI programs are experiencing significant growth. The University of Southern California, Columbia University, Pace University, and New Mexico State University are among the many institutions launching AI degrees in the upcoming academic year. This trend suggests that students are not abandoning technology fields but are instead gravitating toward AI-centric programs to enhance their employment prospects.
It remains to be seen whether this shift represents a permanent realignment or a temporary response to current market dynamics. Nonetheless, it serves as a wake-up call for academic administrators who have been deliberating on how to integrate AI into their curricula. The debate over whether to ban tools like ChatGPT is becoming obsolete. The pressing question now is whether American universities can adapt swiftly to this evolving landscape or risk losing students to institutions that have already embraced AI education.
