The U to Offer Two New Minors in AI

Starting Fall 2026, U students will have two new ways to build Artificial Intelligence expertise: a Business AI minor from the David Eccles School of Business that’s open to undergraduates in any major, and a new AI minor from the Kahlert School of Computing designed to complement engineering and other technical fields.

The 16-credit Business AI minor requires only minimal coding experience, and it focuses on practical applications, including machine learning, chatbot development, and predictive analytics. Students will build real solutions using tools like Python and Tableau.

“Eccles students will be AI-fluent and fundamentals-strong. Our new Business AI minor will be a step beyond, giving them the knowledge and skills to use AI strategically and responsibly. This addition to our curriculum ensures our graduates are not just prepared to enter the workforce, but ready to drive innovation and create lasting value for their organizations and communities,” says Eccles School Dean Kurt Dirks. “Artificial intelligence is transforming every corner of business, and employers are clear that they need graduates who can apply it effectively.”

The Kahlert School has been teaching AI courses since the 1970s, and the new minor is designed to build on that tradition. It complements undergraduate degrees in fields that work with data, language, design, computation, or cyber-physical systems, serving as a bridge to disciplines such as engineering, mathematics, computational linguistics, games, and the sciences.

“This minor gives students the technical depth to understand how AI systems actually work—not just how to use them,” says Mary Hall, director of the Kahlert School of Computing. “That foundation prepares them to drive innovation across science, engineering, medicine, and beyond.”