New artificial intelligence courses launch this fall

Five new artificial intelligence courses launched this fall semester as part of the Associate of Science Degree in Artificial Intelligence for Business and certificate program.

Students will receive hands-on training in AI programs like ChatGPT and Adobe Firefly to apply these skills in careers that AI has heavily impacted.

Some students, such as first-year nursing major Amy Mojica, were not aware of the new AI courses but found the idea of enrolling in them interesting.

“I think I would like to try it out,” said Mojica. “I think it’s important to know what we can use [AI] for and what we should limit. It’s also fun to experiment with something so new.”

Third-year education major Adan Garcia would rather “be with the times than be left behind,” and sees how AI can improve education.

“AI is not stopping anytime soon,” said Garcia.

Dori Dumon, department chair of Business Applications & Technology, sees AI as part of the future at SAC. “AI is growing. It’s a big demand.”

According to a Pew Research Center survey from this year, around 34% of U.S. adults have used ChatGPT, which has roughly doubled in size since 2023.

Mathew Goodwin, who teaches four out of the five courses, mentioned that the online course, ChatGPT & Generative AI Apps, was fully enrolled.

Dumon noted the importance of AI in the workforce. According to Stanford University Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, businesses are jumping in on AI with usage “accelerating…78% of organizations reported using AI in 2024, up from 55% the year before.”

“When you go into a career, you can put on your resume that you’ve used AI applications,” said Dumon, “it will give you a competitive advantage in the workplace because you have AI skills.”

The courses include: BA 105 Intro to AI for Business, BA 106 ChatGPT & Generative AI Apps, BA 107 AI Strategies for Business, BA 108 AI Ethics for Business and BA 109 AI for Education.

The courses can be applied for the degree or certificate in fall 2026.