LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — New Mexico State University announced on Monday it’s set to offer the state’s first Bachelor of Science degree in artificial intelligence starting Fall 2026.
According to NMSU, the program, approved by the state’s Higher Education Department and the Higher Learning Commission, aims to provide students with a comprehensive education in AI technologies.
“NMSU’s BS in AI will provide students with a strong foundation in machine learning, automated reasoning, human-computer interaction, data mining, natural language processing, autonomous agents, and ethical and societal aspects of AI,” said Enrico Pontelli, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and senior adviser to the provost for AI.
Pontelli emphasized the program’s focus on preparing students for the evolving job market, where AI plays a significant role.
“Artificial intelligence is a very broad and multifaceted field,” Pontelli said. “The emphasis of NMSU’s BS-AI degree program will be to enable students to address in an analytical and scientific manner problems that are associated to the development of AI solutions.”
The program will include hands-on activities designed to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in AI-related careers.
Pontelli noted that the degree will help fill a gap in both New Mexico’s and the national workforce, preparing graduates for leadership roles in developing innovative AI-driven solutions.
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According to NMSU, the university’s President Valerio Ferme has been a strong advocate for NMSU’s AI initiatives, including the creation of the Institute for Applied Practice in AI and Machine Learning.
NMSU said that with the $2 million it got from the New Mexico Legislature, the university aims to enhance research and educational capabilities in AI to meet the state’s workforce, research, and economic development needs.
“The mission of the AI institute is to bring together AI researchers, educators and practitioners at NMSU and lead the region and the state in the application of AI models and technologies to practical solutions that address real-world challenges relevant to New Mexico,” said Pontelli.
NMSU explained the AI Institute will complement the new bachelor’s program by offering scholarships, building state-of-the-art labs, and attracting top researchers and educators.
Pontelli highlighted the broader vision for AI education at NMSU, which includes community colleges, graduate programs, and micro-credentials through NMSU Global.
“The Bachelor of Science in AI is just one component of a big picture,” Pontelli said. “This big picture is going to include community colleges, it’s going to include graduate programs, and it’s going to include micro-credentials through an NMSU Global. There is a unified vision and a big picture that we are going to achieve.”
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Meanwhile, the University of Texas at El Paso launched its Bachelor’s of Science in AI in Spring 2025.
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