The University of Texas will offer a large-scale online master's degree in artificial intelligence

Amid a boom in new tools like ChatGPT, the Austin campus plans to train thousands of students in in-demand artificial intelligence skills.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">The University of Texas at Austin, one of the nation's leading computer science schools, said Thursday it is launching an online master of science program at scale and low cost in artificial intelligence.

As the first of its kind among elite computer science schools, the new program could help rapidly expand A.I. workforce in the United States as tech giants like Microsoft rush to invest billions in the field.

The university has announced the initiative amid a clamor over new technology powered by artificial intelligence that can generate human art and texts. And while some of the biggest companies in the tech industry are laying off workers after years of rapid growth, hiring in A.I. is expected to remain strong. university said they plan to train thousands of graduate students in in-demand skills like machine learning, for tuition of around $10,000, starting in the spring of 2024. school said the cost was intended to make A.I. education more affordable. In contrast, Johns Hopkins University offers an online MS. degree in artificial intelligence for more than $45,000.

"A.I. is becoming an essential tool in areas beyond the scope of a handful of companies technology,” said Adam Klivans, a Texas computer science professor and director of online AI. master's program. Noting that A.I. experts are in high demand in sectors like biotechnology and finance, Professor Klivans said the new online degree was "something professionals can participate in to gain the expertise their business needs without leaving their jobs".

Funding to develop the new master's program came in part from the National Science Foundation. In 2020, the foundation awarded the University of Texas a five-year, $20 million grant to establish an A.I. institute in machine learning. This is an area where computer algorithms learn to make predictions by analyzing large data sets, such as predicting which drug formulations might be best used to treat new viruses.

< figure class="img-sz- css-13wylk3 e1g7ppur0 " aria-label="media" role="group">ImageInside the Texas Department of Computer Science, which plans to introduce A.I. online. degree in a year.Credit...Joanna Kulesza for The New York Times

ImageDepartment offers a large-scale online master's program in computer science since 2019. science and related fields, such as computer engineering, would teach the master's courses online via recorded video lectures, as well as interactive sessions. Faculty members involved in an interdisciplinary research program at the university called