BUZZ THE @CU Campus News Brought to You by Public Relations 44 NEW AI AND DATA SCIENCE COURSEWORK EQUIPS STUDENTS FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP As artificial intelligence (AI) use raises urgent ethical questions, Cedarville University is launching an Artificial Intelligence and Data Science initiative that will equip students with cutting-edge skills grounded in ethical reasoning and biblical principles. This initiative will launch six new courses and serve as a new concentration option in the computer science, cyber operations, electrical engineering, mathematics, and physics programs. The first courses are expected to be offered in the 2025–26 academic year. “In a world increasingly influenced by AI and machine learning, it’s crucial that Christian students not only understand how these technologies work but also help shape their development in ways that reflect biblical values,” said Dr. Steven Gollmer, Senior Professor of Physics and one of the initiative’s founding members. “We want our students to lead in this space with both technical excellence and ethical integrity.” These courses will equip students with skills in widely used programming languages like Python, R, and SQL and competencies in data analysis, machine learning algorithms, and AI applications such as neural networks and natural language processing. Just as importantly, the curriculum emphasizes ethical data use and theological reflection on topics like human creativity and the value of work. The initiative also highlights the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern technology. Data science, which blends computer science, statistics, and domain-specific knowledge, has become essential across fields as diverse as healthcare, economics, linguistics, and psychology. “Technology is reshaping nearly every profession,” said Gollmer. “By equipping students with strong data and AI skills — and by rooting that training in a Christcentered worldview — we’re preparing them to lead with wisdom in a complex and rapidly changing world.”
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