New university‑wide standards ensure every MSOE graduate gains applied AI skills

Milwaukee School of Engineering has introduced a university‑wide framework that sets clear, comprehensive standards for integrating applied artificial intelligence (AI) into every academic program. The new Applied AI Integration (A²I²) Process ensures that every MSOE student—regardless of major—graduates with a strong foundation in applied AI and an understanding of how AI impacts their profession, industry and society.  

MSOE’s A²I² Process positions the university as a national leader in applied AI education, offering an adaptive model that integrates modern AI topics into existing curricula rather than relying exclusively on new standalone courses.

“At MSOE, we recognize that applied AI competency is essential for the next generation of leaders and innovators,” said Dr. Olga Imas, director of applied AI education. “These standards ensure that our graduates are not only fluent in the tools of today but fully prepared for the rapidly evolving technologies of tomorrow.”

“The A²I² framework guarantees that every graduate gains the practical skills, ethical grounding and adaptive mindset needed to lead in an era where AI influences every industry,” said Dr. Eric Baumgartner, MSOE president. “This initiative strengthens MSOE’s position at the forefront of applied learning and underscores our responsibility to equip students to shape the future with confidence and integrity.”

A Framework Built for All Disciplines
The A²I² framework organizes applied AI education around four key dimensions that together create a holistic learning experience:

• Foundational Knowledge: Understanding how AI technologies work, including their capabilities and limitations.
• Practical Application: Using AI tools and methods to solve discipline‑specific challenges.
• Critical Evaluation: Assessing the accuracy, effectiveness and potential pitfalls of AI systems.
• Social Responsibility: Applying AI ethically, with attention to privacy, data stewardship and societal impact.

These dimensions apply differently in each program—ensuring relevance for engineering, business, computer science, health innovation, nursing and every field offered at MSOE.

Clear Standards for Courses and Programs
Under the new system, courses and programs can earn official A²I² certification by demonstrating substantial or sufficient coverage of the framework’s dimensions.

Certification is tied to:

• Updated learning outcomes
• Revised course descriptions
• Explicit syllabus materials
• Assignments or projects showing authentic AI integration

Undergraduate programs must demonstrate touchpoints across all four AI dimensions in both the early and later years of the curriculum. Graduate programs must show coverage across all dimensions as well.

The A²I² Process was developed by the MSOE AI Steering Committee, and provides faculty with a structured yet flexible model for embedding AI knowledge, skills and ethical considerations into the curriculum of all degree programs.

By embedding AI literacy and application across the university, MSOE is ensuring that its graduates are not only technically prepared but also capable of critically evaluating and ethically deploying AI technologies in a fast‑changing world.