Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar launches landmark bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), a Qatar Foundation partner university, today announced the launch of a new undergraduate program in artificial intelligence, the first of its kind in Qatar. The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (BSAI) will provide students with the sophisticated knowledge and skills to become leaders in a field that is transforming the world.

In order to bring this top-ranked degree to its Qatar campus, CMU has worked closely with Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education, as well as Qatar Foundation (QF), to ensure the program will contribute meaningfully to the future of Qatar and its workforce. The BSAI program directly supports the human development and economic diversification goals of Qatar by cultivating a highly skilled local talent pool in artificial intelligence.

Students enrolled in the BSAI program will benefit from the unique multi-university model of QF, which comprises branch campuses of seven international universities as well as QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University, together with schools and hubs of research and innovation. They will have opportunities for cross-disciplinary study and collaboration with peers and faculty at other QF partner universities, fostering a holistic understanding of how AI can be applied across a multitude of fields.

Francisco Marmolejo, President of Higher Education and Education Advisor, Qatar Foundation, said: “This program is about more than the introduction of a new curriculum - it is a launchpad for future leaders in a world increasingly shaped by intelligent technologies.
“Its graduates will not just have an understanding of AI; they will be equipped to shape it, drive its advancement, and harness it in a responsible and valuable way to solve tomorrow’s biggest challenges. It is a program that, once again, embodies the shared commitment of Qatar Foundation and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar to fostering innovation, providing education that aligns with societal and employment needs, and empowering our youth to be leaders, change-makers, and architects of a brighter future for Qatar, the region, and the world.”

Michael Trick, dean of CMU-Q, said: “The launch of the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence marks a pivotal moment for Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. 

“AI is not just the future of technology, it is reshaping our world now. This program will equip a new generation of leaders from Qatar and around the world with the foundational knowledge and deep understanding to drive innovation responsibly, and guide the conversation on how this technology can best serve humanity.”

In 2018, Carnegie Mellon became the first university in America to offer a BSAI degree program. Ranked first by U.S. News and World Report, the curriculum is built on a foundation of mathematics, computer science, and statistics, and includes in-depth coursework in key AI areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and human-AI interaction. A strong emphasis will be placed on ethics and social responsibility, preparing graduates to navigate the complex challenges of deploying AI for social good.