Faith Maeba never imagined herself writing code. The psychology major at Virginia Commonwealth University had zero background in coding when her mother first suggested she take an AI class. But as Maeba, 21, looked into graduate programs that study workplace behavior, she noticed something: machine learning was reshaping the field. So she signed up — and earned an AI minor.
"It's giving me an edge and standing out," Maeba said.
Her story reflects a quiet revolution unfolding on campuses across the United States. While enrollment in traditional computer science programs has dropped — down more than 8% at four-year institutions this spring compared to last year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center — something else is booming. Professors are busier than ever teaching AI to students from every major imaginable.
Colleges are waking up to a simple truth: no matter what field you enter, your future employer will probably ask about your AI skills.
"We have to democratize it," said Peter Stone, who chairs computer science at the University of Texas at Austin. He recently built an introductory AI course specifically for students outside the field. "In the same way that everybody needs some degree of math, reading and writing, I think everybody needs a degree of AI literacy."
The changes are rolling out in different shapes. Harvard University now weaves AI topics — including how large language models work, copyright questions, and online disinformation — into freshman writing classes. Purdue University added AI as a graduation requirement. Ohio State University requires students to complete AI fluency courses featuring hands-on workshops. Meanwhile, AI-focused degree programs, both undergraduate and graduate, are spreading like wildfire.
At Northwestern University in Illinois, computer science faculty who once focused almost entirely on majors are now teaching a wider mix of students. The department already offers a popular AI minor and is launching an AI major. It's also clearing away bureaucratic hurdles so students from other fields can more easily enroll in AI and machine learning classes.
"Overall, classes are going to be a lot more accessible moving forward," said Samir Khuller, who chairs Northwestern's computer science department. The school is even hiring — three more professors, specifically to meet demand.
The cross-disciplinary push extends to the arts, too. Northwestern's Bienen School of Music now offers a certificate in music and artificial intelligence. At Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia, musicians, artists, theater students, and digital media majors will soon learn alongside engineering students in a single classroom, co-taught by an assistant music professor and a computer scientist.
"The goal is to create people who can work at the intersection of art and technology," said Benjamin Guerrero, the music professor behind the idea.
For students like Maeba, the shift feels less like a disruption and more like an invitation — a chance to gain skills that make her stand out, whatever path she chooses.