Local colleges in Rochester are preparing students for an AI-driven workforce through new courses and training programs. These initiatives emphasize both the practical application of AI skills across industries and crucial ethical considerations.
Nazareth University Focuses on Humanities and Ethical Education
Nazareth University has been offering AI courses since 2020 and currently has four related programs, including Ethical Data Science, Technology, AI & Society, and two business programs, one of which is at the master’s level. “We’re not just thinking about the bits and bytes and the algorithms, we’re thinking about the human element,” says Jeffrey Allan, who notes that many technologists implementing AI often lack ethics training. He points to documented cases where biased training data led to poor decisions, such as denying medical coverage or loans to historically disadvantaged groups.
RIT Introduces New Bachelor’s Degree in AI
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) will launch a new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence in the fall of 2026, the first program of its kind in the region. The major combines computer science, software engineering, and data modeling, aiming to teach students how to design systems that transform data and algorithms into real-world value. Senior Associate Dean Michael Yacci explains that the curriculum includes a course on “AI and the Law,” which explores the societal and legal responsibilities of AI, and integrates themes of bias, ethics, and sustainability into at least four or five core courses.
AI Influences Students’ Choice of Major
According to the Lumina Foundation-Gallup 2026 higher education study, one in six students has changed their field of study due to the influence of artificial intelligence. Education leaders state that students need to learn how to collaborate with AI agents as colleagues or liaisons, or use data to build large language models, to navigate an economy shaped by AI.
Interdisciplinary Approach to AI Problem-Solving
Yacci believes that while AI tools and products change rapidly, the underlying algorithms, systems, theories, and models evolve more slowly. He is confident that other fields, such as energy and civil engineering, will also contribute to solving major challenges like the high energy consumption of AI data centers. These collective efforts are advancing the development of local AI talent education.
