The University of Dayton is advancing its curriculum as part of a broader AI strategy designed to prepare students to use emerging technologies with both skill and discernment in their careers.
Beginning this fall, all first-year students will engage with AI from two perspectives. A course in AI Fundamentals will introduce how the technology works and how to apply it effectively, while Human Dignity in the Era of AI will explore ethical considerations, societal impact and responsible use.
These experiences establish a shared foundation that students will continue to build on through more advanced, discipline-specific applications throughout their time at UD. Learning deepens in the second year through a redesigned writing seminar examining how AI is reshaping research, writing and knowledge creation across professions.
In the School of Engineering, AI is being integrated across the curriculum, with many departments also choosing specific courses to teach students how engineers can ethically use AI — like chemical engineering computations and civil engineering data analytics to machine learning in mechanical engineering informatics.
Industrial engineering students are taught how to use AI as a tool to efficiently do traditional industrial engineering tasks — like risk analysis on worker motions — so they can focus more time on the higher level systems thinking topics. Mechanical engineering students are using AI generated tool paths to improve CNC machining accuracy. Physics students are using tools to analyze large, complex data sets.
AI minicourses continue to be offered to all School of Engineering students. These asynchronous, self-paced modules are seeing an increase in student interest to help them upskill for co-ops, internships and full-time placements.
Dr. Sidaard Gunasekaran is helping his students apply these concepts. They use AI to visualize equations involved in wind tunnel design and analyze how changes in variables influence power consumption and other performance factors.
“AI helps them ask questions in a more meaningful way,” Gunasekaran said. “When they enter the workforce, they will stand out because they’ve learned to use AI to increase their skillset, not just automate their work.”
New degree programs are also taking shape. Starting in fall 2026, an AI engineering co-major will be available for undergraduate students. Students will discover the core enabling technologies and engineering principles in data analytics, computational hardware and algorithms that contributed to the recent advances in artificial decision making, machine vision and intelligent systems.
The Department of Computer Science is continuing to collaborate on a graduate certificate in AI, set to open in fall 2026.