Boise State Computer Science: Leading the AI and Computing Revolution
Artificial Intelligence has been dominating headlines, but for the faculty at Boise State, this is a journey years in the making. A recent Idaho Education News article shines a light on how Boise State University is proactively shaping the future of computing with the computer science department leading the charge.
The current focus on AI “doesn’t surprise computer scientists as much as people might think it does”, according to Computer Science Department Chair, Jerry Fails. This visionary approach led to the creation of the interdisciplinary Doctorate in Computing program in 2016.
Doubling down on this momentum, the department offers a new Bachelor’s Degree in AI Science and a new AI emphasis for the PhD in Computing.
The New School of Computing
The article also spotlights the launch of the School of Computing, a university-wide initiative designed to expand the concept of computing—which includes computer science, cybersecurity, and societal impact—across all BSU disciplines.
Directed by Ira Burton, the School acts as an umbrella, connecting people with computing needs to those with the expertise to fulfill them. The School is built around three pillars:
- Fundamental Computing
- Computing in the Disciplines
- Computing and Society
With strong ties to industry partners and a history of “Blue Turf Thinking,” the Department of Computer Science and the new School of Computing are uniquely positioned to meet the growing demands of the digital economy right here in Boise.