DigiPen Institute of Technology is proud to announce an update to our BS in Computer Science in Machine Learning degree program. Starting with the Fall 2026 semester, the BS in Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence will replace our undergraduate machine learning degree, which originally launched in Fall 2019. Computer science courses will make up the bulk of the updated program, along with machine learning classes that incorporate both the practical and ethical uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
DigiPen has always taught at the frontlines of cutting-edge tech, and today’s boom in AI is no different. AI’s rapid advancement is so extensive that its ramifications on society and daily life are still being explored. To navigate these uncharted waters, we’ve entrusted the leadership of Professor Barnabas Bede, a DigiPen veteran of over 14 years, to continue his role as program director for the updated degree.
“There is a lot of anxiety over AI in recent years,” says Bede. “Students are thinking about how AI will affect their work and careers, but they don’t always take into account that AI has already been here for a long time.” Since the early 2000s, Bede has immersed himself in academic research on fuzzy logic, a branch of artificial intelligence where boundaries between categories can be blurred or uncertain. As a previous president of the North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society, Bede has been in tune with advancements in AI long before the technology took the mainstream by storm, citing predictive algorithms in search engines and social media as popular examples.
Degrees in artificial intelligence are typically found at the master’s and doctorate level, but the demand for machine learning experience is greatly increasing. Our updated four-year undergraduate program will allow anyone interested in a career in AI to start with computer science fundamentals and ease into the world of machine learning. “Studying AI is going to be critical in the computer science field moving forward,” says Bede. “Our AI course sequence will have a slower pace when compared to a graduate level program. This will allow machine learning courses to dig deeper into foundational algorithms and concepts.”
Those familiar with DigiPen’s previous machine learning offerings will feel right at home. The BS in Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence will replace the existing machine learning program with an added emphasis on AI-related applications. The shift in focus will provide students the flexibility to explore other branches of machine learning, like game AI. “We’re expanding the choices students can make within the realm of AI while making it easier to understand what kind of real-world connections come with the program.” says Bede.
As advancements in the field of artificial intelligence continue, Bede remains confident that students will take the lessons on responsible use of AI that are integral to the program to heart. “Any tool you make can have positive or negative effects,” says Bede. “We’re exploring the opportunities that improve life without changing our values.”
The Fall 2026 application for all our degrees is open with an Early Action I application deadline set for November 15, 2025. See our overview of the BS in Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence for more information on the updated program.