As one of the first Arkansas Tech University students who will pursue a new academic track in artificial intelligence, Logan Dawson understands he is on the leading edge of a technology that will help shape his generation.
“I want to be part of the team that makes an AI that changes the world,” said Dawson, an ATU junior from Des Arc.
Beginning in fall 2026, Arkansas Tech will offer an artificial intelligence track as part of its Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.
According to documentation provided by ATU to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board in a letter of notification concerning the new track, Arkansas Tech’s artificial intelligence option is “driven by increasing demand for graduates with specialized knowledge in AI and machine learning across nearly every industry sector, as indicated by our advisory board members in our most recent meeting.”
The letter of notification goes on to state that health care, finance, manufacturing, education and transportation are among the industries that need “computing professionals who are not only technically proficient, but also prepared to address the ethical, social and practical implications of AI systems.”
Juan Jose Almaraz plans on being one of those computing professionals. A junior at Arkansas Tech and a resident of Clarksville, Almaraz will join Dawson among the first ATU students to pursue the artificial intelligence track.
“Ultimately, a big worry with AI is that it’s going to steal people’s jobs,” said Almaraz. “But the thing about artificial intelligence is that it needs to be studied and understood, and that’s why humans are here. We need to be able to learn and understand it and use it as a tool rather than a handicap.
“It opens a lot of possibilities for outcomes,” continued Almaraz. “I think about it like the introduction of the calculator. A lot of people were worried it was going to steal mathematicians’ jobs, but rather than taking that away it gave us opportunities to do more calculations and better understand them.”
Almaraz envisions a world where the technical aspects of artificial intelligence will unlock the door to advances for humanity.
“I think it will open up opportunities for new creative outlooks,” said Almaraz. “Generative AI is a very prevalent thing right now and it provides a lot of entertainment for people. It is a way to brainstorm and come up with new ideas.”
Dr. Robin Ghosh, ATU assistant professor of computer and information science, will be among the faculty members who will implement the artificial intelligence track.
Ghosh explained that integrating artificial intelligence into the computer science curriculum will help his students more efficiently identify and correct bugs in their coding.
He said the artificial intelligence classes — which will include AI Fundamentals, Advanced AI, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision and Big Data and Cloud Computing — will also be available to ATU information technology and cybersecurity students as electives.
“Nowadays, when you are looking for a job, it’s not just about software,” said Ghosh. “It’s also about AI and machine learning. This AI track will help graduates obtain roles related to data science. Not only are we showing our students how to use and build AI, we are talking about how to ethically use AI.”
In 2025, the Pew Research Center asked members of the general public and artificial intelligence professionals about their opinions on the future of AI. Only 17 percent of the general public believed that artificial intelligence will have a very or somewhat positive impact on the United States over the next 20 years. Among AI experts, that number jumped to 56 percent.
“It’s more of a tool…it’s like a pick axe,” said Dawson when asked about the influence of artificial intelligence on society. “It’s not something that’s going to take over everything. It’s just a tool, and it depends on how well you can use the tool. That’s really it.”
Learn more about the ATU computer science degree and the new artificial intelligence track at www.atu.edu/stem/engineering/cis.
