Duke University Proposes Institute of AI Engineering: A Bold Step Towards AI Education

Duke University is making strides in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI) with its proposal to establish an Institute of AI Engineering. This initiative is set to be considered at the meeting of the Pratt School of Engineering’s faculty council on September 12. If the proposal gains approval, Duke could emerge as one of the first U.S. universities to offer an undergraduate degree specifically focused on AI engineering.

A New Frontier in Education

At the heart of this proposed institute is an innovative undergraduate major in AI engineering, which would be integrated into Pratt’s existing Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) curriculum. The initiative aims to align academic instruction with cutting-edge advancements in AI, equipping students with the skills required to thrive in this dynamic field. To support the major, Pratt will establish a working group dedicated to defining competencies and curating a curriculum that addresses the specific needs of the AI landscape.

Insight-Driven Roadmap

The conception of the Institute of AI Engineering stems from insights gathered through a survey of about 40% of Pratt faculty members facilitated by the Applied Computing Working Group (ACWG). Since November 2024, this group has been analyzing data to refine the program, and they plan to create three working groups tasked with further developing the proposal ahead of a formal vote scheduled for December.

Pending approval, the Engineering Faculty Council (EFC) anticipates an official proposal for the new major to materialize by early 2026, with aspirations to welcome the first cohort of undergraduates in fall 2027.

Core Focus Areas of the Institute

The proposed institute is centered on five critical themes in the AI domain:

1. Human-AI Collaboration – Exploring how humans and AI can work together effectively.
2. AI-Driven Experimentation – Leveraging AI for innovative research methodologies.
3. Scalable AI Models – Developing AI systems that can handle large datasets efficiently.
4. Trustworthy AI – Ensuring that AI systems operate reliably and ethically.
5. AI Ethics and Governance – Addressing the implications and responsibilities that come with AI technologies.

Building on Established Initiatives

The Institute of AI Engineering seeks to build upon a foundation of existing AI initiatives at Duke. Notable programs include the Athena AI Institute, Duke Robotics, and the AI in Materials graduate certificate. Moreover, the recent launch of a new Provost’s Initiative on AI underscores Duke’s commitment to prioritizing AI research and educational development across the university.

Addressing Faculty Concerns

During discussions at the EFC meeting, faculty members raised several concerns regarding the necessity and potential impacts of establishing a new institute. Notably, Professor Tatiana Segura from Biomedical Engineering questioned whether the new major could dilute focus from existing Pratt departments, prompting discussions about the advantages it could offer over current course offerings that introduce students to various aspects of AI.

In response, proponents of the initiative reaffirmed that the institute presents an opportunity for Duke to establish itself as a “thought leader” in AI. This visibility could not only attract top faculty but also provide students with enhanced access to data and resources, enriching their educational experience.

Enrollment Considerations and Comparisons

Another crucial point of discussion revolved around the potential risk of “oversubscription” to the new major, which could pose challenges in accommodating an influx of students. Addressing these concerns, Lynch, a representative advocating for the proposal, emphasized the importance of increasing Pratt’s overall enrollment to balance the demand across its programs. Adjustments to the admissions process are also being considered to ensure clarity regarding students’ intended majors.

Duke’s ambition to introduce an AI engineering degree aligns with trends at other institutions. The University of Delaware and Pennsylvania State University currently offer similar degrees that focus on applying machine learning and data science to real-world engineering challenges. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University was pioneering in the field when it launched the first bachelor’s degree in AI back in fall 2018, followed by the University of Pennsylvania, which has recently established an AI major within its School of Engineering and Applied Science.

As the landscape for AI education expands, Duke University’s proposal for an Institute of AI Engineering represents an exciting evolution in academic offerings, positioning the institution at the forefront of AI education and research in the United States.