Copyright Salt Lake City Deseret News
Artificial intelligence and the University of Utah have shared plenty of headlines this year. In January, the school’s chief — President Taylor Randall — told Utah lawmakers that the University of Utah will be placing “a big focus” on seizing the “incredible potential for AI.” A month later, the state’s flagship university appointed Manish Parashar as its inaugural chief artificial intelligence officer — or “AI czar.” And in August, the University of Utah claimed a No. 77 “AI-focused research” ranking by the online education platform Studocu — the only school in the state to be ranked in the national analysis. And soon, University of Utah undergraduates from all corners of the campus will be able to boost their own AI bona fides. Beginning in fall 2026, the university’s David Eccles School of Business will offer a minor in AI to all undergraduates, regardless of their major or college. The announcement marks the first time an AI-related academic program has been approved by the school’s board of trustees. The business AI minor will be a cross-disciplinary program designed to equip students with “critical skills” in AI technologies — along with their practical applications in business, according to a university release. The minor is designed to bridge the gap between AI and business strategy — “enabling students to make data-informed decisions, automate processes, and create competitive advantages in diverse industries. “This new program reflects the Eccles School’s vision to prepare students who are fluent in emerging technologies and anchored in enduring business fundamentals and durable skills.” Future jobs will demand AI skills, said Chong Oh, director of the university’s undergraduate information systems program in the release. “The benefit of this business AI minor is to help students gain a skillset that they can apply immediately in the business world,” added Oh. “It will give them ideas about what’s possible, and the know-how to build ideas that are immediately applicable — so that when they go into industry, they become a great resource for the organizations they belong to.” The business AI minor, the release noted, will focus on practical AI tools with high-demand applications — including machine learning, natural language processing, image recognition, predictive analytics and chatbot development. “Artificial intelligence is transforming every corner of business, and employers are clear that they need graduates who can apply it effectively,” said Kurt Dirks, dean of the Eccles School, in the release. “Eccles students will be AI-fluent and fundamentals-strong. Our new business AI minor will be a step beyond, giving them the knowledge and skills to use AI strategically and responsibly. “This addition to our curriculum ensures our graduates are not just prepared to enter the workforce, but ready to drive innovation and create lasting value for their organizations and communities.” The business AI minor will entail 16 credit hours, with a core of three required three-hour courses, a required one-hour capstone class and two three-hour electives. Courses have been designed with minimal coding prerequisites, making AI accessible to students in business, humanities, arts, health, science and other majors. In the release, Oh added that because the minor will require extensive usage of generative AI, there will be robust requirements and safeguards in place to ensure academic integrity. “If AI is not used responsibly, it can produce results that are detrimental to society in general. “AI is very good at generating content, and the content is very impressive — but is this content legitimate? Does it have evidence to support that it’s accurate?” Supporting AI in 2025: Campus reallocation funds This year, the University of Utah — along with the other public universities and colleges across the state — were required by the Legislature to reallocate 10% of its annual budget to academic programs deemed by data to be most valuable for graduates and Utah industry. The University of Utah shouldered the state’s largest reallocation burden: more than $19.5 million. Ultimately, the university’s approved reinvestment plan included reallocation investments in AI, among other fields.
