In an announcement made this week, Northeastern Illinois University revealed that it plans to introduce a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence degree program beginning Fall 2026, making it the first public institution of higher learning in Chicago to introduce such a program at the undergraduate level. This development comes amid ongoing developments in artificial intelligence which have continued to transform work environments, educational settings, and everyday living in the US.
It should be noted that some of the social media postings about this development mistakenly identified the institution in question as “NIU.” NIU stands for Northern Illinois University which is located in DeKalb. The right institution here is Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). The core claim holds up.
“Designed for students from all backgrounds, the Bachelor of Science in AI program provides a welcoming introduction to artificial intelligence with no prior experience required, while maintaining a clear pathway to advanced, career-ready skills,”
Said Dr. Xiwei Wang, chair of NEIU’s Computer Science department.
“We believe AI should serve people not the other way around. Ethical reasoning, fairness and social responsibility are integrated throughout the curriculum, preparing students to develop responsible and impactful AI solutions.”
The program sits in the College of Business and Technology’s Department of Computer Science. Curriculum covers foundational work in mathematics, programming, and data structures; core courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing; supporting classes in databases, operating systems, data analysis, and information processing; a writing-intensive software engineering course; and sustained attention to ethics, public impact, fairness, and the limits of the technology. Officials describe a roughly 62-credit major within the standard bachelor’s framework that balances theory, hands-on projects, and practical application.
As Dr. Michael Bedell, dean of the College of Business and Technology said in his address regarding the same,
“Now, as we launch our new major in AI, we are enabling students at Northeastern Illinois University to not only learn how to use AI as a tool but also to dive into the depths of AI and figure out how it functions and how people need to remain at the core of it.”
Our program will ask students to consider moral and ethical challenges new technology demands that we tackle so our students become more than innovators; they will be leaders with hands-on skills as well as purpose.”
Applications for domestic students remain open through August 1, with classes set to begin later that month. Graduates are expected to pursue roles in AI engineering, machine learning, data analytics, and related technology fields, or to continue into graduate study.
The announcement fits a wider national pattern. Universities nationwide are adding AI majors and certificates to meet employer demand for technical skill paired with judgment about bias, accountability, and societal effects. For accurate details on requirements, scholarships such as NEIU For You, or advising, readers should check the official NEIU website rather than incomplete social media posts.
 is now the first public university in Chicago to offer a bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence. Learn more about the program.){kind=link}