AI Drives Demand for Credential Programs in Higher Ed

Source Domain: www.govtech.com

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has created a boom in credentialing programs that promise to prepare workers for an AI-driven economy. Universities, technology companies and online learning platforms are now competing to offer expedited options for learning the basics of AI and industry-specific skills.

In traditional higher education, AI degrees are emerging around the country. From 2020 to 2024, the number of institutions offering AI bachelor’s degrees grew from four to 23, and AI master’s degrees grew from 19 to 60, according to the nonprofit Computing Research Association.

The prevalence of non-traditional credentials is more difficult to quantify, as many programs operate outside the reporting structures required of colleges and universities. However, experts agree they are on the rise.

“We’re seeing this massive proliferation of AI credentials on the market,” said Erik Leiden, managing director of workforce strategy at the Burning Glass Institute research firm.

At the same time, due to the lack of centralized data collection and time to witness long-term impacts, it’s hard to know which AI credentials are worthwhile.

“There are probably hundreds, if not thousands of different credentialing bodies that issue different certificates, and no one really knows which of them are valuable,” said Emil Palikot, an assistant professor at Northeastern University and researcher focused on AI and labor markets.

THE BOOM

Experts say the surge in AI credentials is driven by employer demand. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 16.5 percent of entry-level job descriptions include AI skills, like developing effective prompts, analyzing outputs and identifying where AI can be useful.

At the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) AI certificate pathways are being created in response to workforce needs. Edwin Blanton, assistant vice provost, said employers’…

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