BY TOMER RONEN
Zooming out
Looking ahead
Additionally, UH is rolling out a computer science master's program with a concentration in AI and certificate this fall at the Katy campus. The university is also adding new certifications and graduate and undergraduate programs falling within various AI and data analytics topics in busi- ness, engineering, education and computer science this fall, Neal said. “We’re really trying to align our programs at these campuses that align with our industry partner needs,” Neal said. “Our industry partners, our business partners are driving that conversation, and we respond to it.” Additionally, the university focused on putting Teaching Innovation Program grant money— awarded $300,000 in 2025 to departments to help develop and implement plans for new teaching approaches—toward AI, Acosta said. The university also offers microcredentials, courses offering certificates that participants can put on their resumes or LinkedIn pages, Acosta said.
Over at UH’s campus, Acosta said the university hopes to see core courses implement AI in some way, whether it be rubrics, grading, helping with research or learning AI literacy. “[There are] big companies here, and they’re expecting students to have AI skills,” Acosta said. “So, it just makes absolute sense that UH is going to be working with, leading [and] teaching with AI.” At UH, which is bringing C.T. Bauer College of Business executive education mini-courses to Katy in March, AI elements have been implemented into classes, including the Technology Division in Sugar Land and engineering in Katy, said Jay Neal, UH associate vice president of Academic Affairs and chief operating officer. Neal said UH’s AI-specific courses include:
HCC is also receiving funding from Google—among other major tech companies—to help train teachers and professors interested in AI. The $2 million Google grant has a high school focus, Webster said, with another grant securing paid internships for students.
“Education is constantly evolving. This gives [people] an opportunity to create degrees that are going to help them advance in their career, to get different job opportunities. We see a demand for that.” MIGUEL RAMOS, VICE CHANCELLOR FOR INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES AT HCC
• Fundamentals of artificial intelligence • Data science and machine learning
• Specialized AI application • Energy and engineering
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SUGAR LAND - MISSOURI CITY EDITION
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