Photo: Torben Nielsen

New AI study programme

Robot technology and automation Information technology
New BSc Eng programme will educate engineers to become digital designers of the future.

Integrating the subjects mathematics, physics, statistics, cognition, and computer science, DTU is now establishing a new bachelor programme in artificial intelligence (AI).

Students will work systematically with data and software, learning to master the many tools that form the basis of modern AI.

“Artificial intelligence will be a central part of our future,” says Professor Lars Kai Hansen, Head of Studies and initiator of the new Danish-taught study programme in artificial intelligence.

Summarizing the ambitions of the programme, he adds:

"We’re looking for talented mathematicians and people who want to experiment during their study programme."
Professor Lars kai Hansen, DTU Compute

“Engineers on the programme ‘Data Science and Artificial Intelligence’ will indeed be the digital designers of the future.”

“They will gain an insight into the principles behind learning algorithms, how computers learn from data, make decisions and communicate with users—and they will be able to equip computers with the abilities that lie at the core of our own intelligence,” explains Lars Kai Hansen.

Because the development of artificial intelligence is closely linked to human behaviour and human values, the students must also possess knowledge of cognitive psychology and social mechanisms as a basis for designing and evaluating intelligent systems—also in relation to ethics and privacy.

Mathematicians and kids of all ages
“We’re looking for talented mathematicians and people who want to experiment during their study programme. We have therefore built the programme up around a solid base that encompasses a high level of mathematics and a set of algorithms—we can call it an AI Toolbox—which the students will develop throughout their studies. As they reach a higher level in mathematics, they will be able to develop their algorithms, teach them new things, and equip them with new skills,” says Lars Kai Hansen.

The programme will alternate between theory, practical exercises, and project work in groups—and will take place in close collaboration with Danish businesses using artificial intelligence.
And according to Lars Kai Hansen, there has been no shortage of businesses interested in maintaining dialogue with the students during their study period.

High industry demand
Indeed, something suggests that such interest is merely a foretaste of what awaits the future AI engineers. As digitization becomes ever more widespread, AI will become an essential developmental component in virtually every sector, and engineers specializing in AI will come to play a central role—not just in the world of IT—but in all industries:

“Currently, we are seeing a demand for AI engineers in the medico and pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing, banking, IT, and the transport sector—and many new start-ups employ engineers with AI skills. However, there is every reason to expect that the list of industries and development areas where AI engineers will play a key role will only continue to grow, and that students from the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence programme will become some of the engineers with the most options in the job market,” concludes Lars Kai Hansen.