South Dakota universities explain new AI degree offerings - KTIV

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - This week, the South Dakota Board of Regents approved four new degree programs in artificial intelligence.

Dakota State University and South Dakota State University say it expands their offerings and will prepare students to enter into a career field with growing demand.

Dakota State has offered courses in emerging technologies and AI for over 25 years, but now they’re offering a doctoral-level degree in AI.

South Dakota State is diving headfirst into AI programs on the engineering side, with a new bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in AI engineering.

Both look to be leaders in an evolving field and help students thrive in new career fields.

Dakota State continues to thrive in its expertise in emerging technology. DSU provost and senior VP for academic and student affairs, Rebecca Hoey, said adding a doctorate-level degree in AI deepens the university’s mission and helps give students a specific and highly technical skillset.

“Every program at Dakota State will prepare students to use AI, but this program is particularly special because it is about creating AI. It is creating the tools,” Hoey explained.

At South Dakota State, Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Endowed Dean Sanjeev Kumar said the AI engineering program looks to train students to incorporate AI tools into new industries.

“Using problem solving, critical thinking skills to develop intelligent systems, products, the solutions for the problems. That’s what engineers are known for,” Kumar said.

Both universities believe these programs help address growing workforce demands and set them up to succeed in new fields. SDSU stated that just software developers project a 17% increase in demand for AI-intensive roles nationally and 27% within the state. Other industries are introducing more AI-intensive roles over time as well.

“We train them for the jobs of today, but also the jobs that do not yet exist, use the technologies that have not been invented yet, and to solve the problems we don’t even know are problems yet,” Kumar said.

“Industry is asking for working professionals who understand how to use artificial intelligence and appropriately use artificial intelligence to solve business problems, so our enrollment is increasing because it’s meeting the needs of the workforce in South Dakota and beyond,” Hoey said.

In the process, offering AI degrees helps South Dakota stand out as leaders in the evolving AI space. There are not many programs like the ones approved this week around the country.

“That is rare. We’re really excited to be that for the state of South Dakota and beyond,” Hoey expressed.

“South Dakota will be at the forefront of developing the next generation of engineers, scientists who are ready to not only address the needs of the industry today, but shape the industry for the future,” Kumar said.

As with any new technology, Hoey said DSU understands there are questions or concerns about the future of AI. She said that it could be either used for good or for ill, but it’s up to leaders to create a responsible and safe path forward.

“Our curriculum integrates ethics throughout every course, our faculty make certain that they discuss ethical use and our students talk about ethical use of AI,” Hoey said.

Hoey continued, “We teach our students how to use artificial intelligence for good, to make things more efficient, to improve the quality of things, to find people who are lost. There are many uses for artificial intelligence that are positive and that’s what we’re preparing our students to do. Our mission is that our students live lives of positive purpose and consequence, regardless of their academic program.”

Since the subject matter continues to evolve, the curriculum will change alongside it.

The new programs are expected to begin accepting students this fall after they get approval from the Higher Learning Commission. Both universities are grateful for the South Dakota Board of Regents for their approval of the programs, being confident in their schools and being “forward-thinking.”

Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.