College students are flocking to AI majors even as nearly 9 in 10 Americans express concern about the technology's growth. MIT's AI and Decision-making program, launched in 2022, has grown from a few dozen students to over 300 and is now the school's second-most popular major. Across the country, 74 schools now offer AI majors and 94 offer AI minors, according to the Computing Research Association.
At Syracuse University, a new Institute for Artificial Intelligence opened at Hinds Hall, bringing together faculty from four schools to focus on AI security, governance and policy. Director Paulo Shakarian leads the effort, supported by Chancellor Mike Haynie, who has worked to embed AI across the university since taking over in April.
Purdue University and LEGO Education have teamed up to train Indiana middle school teachers in AI, coding and robotics. The hands-on program aims to help educators bring these subjects into classrooms and prepare students for future careers in STEM fields.
On the global stage, world leaders including Trump, Xi and UN officials are discussing AI safety challenges. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attended a UN Security Council meeting on September 23, 2026. Experts say a 90-day opt-in rapid response mechanism is needed to connect existing safety efforts, since current systems are not built to respond globally and in real time to an AI crisis.
Ricursive Intelligence, a startup co-founded by Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini, is building AI that can design computer chips, aiming to shrink the development cycle from two to three years down to weeks. Both founders previously worked at Google DeepMind and Anthropic. The company launched in late 2025, raised $335 million at a $4 billion valuation, and counts Nvidia among its investors. Goldie and Mirhoseini are scheduled to speak at Disrupt 2026 about how AI-designed hardware could accelerate future AI capabilities.
President Trump has strongly promoted AI, telling supporters it will create jobs and improve healthcare and education. Some loyalists, however, worry the technology could replace workers and worsen inequality. Even members of his own party have voiced skepticism. Trump ruled out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for an AI czar role, praising his work at Treasury and saying he wants to keep him there. Venture capitalist David Sacks has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.
Texas is expanding AI use across state government to serve its 31 million residents more effectively. Tony Sauerhoff of the Texas Department of Information Resources called AI the most transformational technology the state has seen in over 30 years. In late 2025, Texas created an AI code of ethics that includes redress policies allowing residents to challenge wrong decisions made by AI systems. Lawmakers are considering tighter regulations around data providers ahead of the next legislative session starting in mid-January.
A study by Product.ai found that major large language models make high error rates when helping users find products online. The research raises concerns about trusting AI shopping tools for everyday tasks, even as these tools become more common among consumers.
AI security awareness is also becoming a critical part of cybersecurity. Organizations are struggling to keep up with AI-powered threats like deepfakes and social engineering, and traditional annual security training is no longer sufficient. The EU AI Act adds new complexity as AI becomes more common in daily work. Companies are now turning to data from collaboration platforms and productivity tools to provide real-time guidance to employees.
Key Takeaways
- MIT's AI program grew from a few dozen students to over 300 since 2022 and is now the school's second-most popular major.
- 74 U.S. colleges now offer AI majors and 94 offer AI minors, reflecting surging student interest.
- Syracuse University launched the Institute for Artificial Intelligence at Hinds Hall, focusing on AI security, governance and policy.
- Purdue University and LEGO Education are partnering to train Indiana middle school teachers in AI, coding and robotics.
- Ricursive Intelligence raised $335 million at a $4 billion valuation to build AI that designs computer chips, with Nvidia among its investors.
- Co-founders Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini previously worked at Google DeepMind and Anthropic.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attended a UN Security Council meeting on September 23, 2026, as global leaders discuss AI safety.
- President Trump ruled out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for the AI czar role, while David Sacks is also mentioned as a candidate.
- Texas created an AI code of ethics in late 2025 with redress policies allowing residents to challenge AI-made decisions.
- A study by Product.ai found that major large language models make high error rates when helping users shop for products online.
More college students choose AI majors despite warning signs
Nearly 9 in 10 Americans worry about AI growth, yet more students are majoring in it. MIT's AI program grew from a few dozen students to over 300 since 2022. Julia Schneider, an early AI major at MIT, says ethical concerns make her more excited to study the field. Across the country, 74 schools now offer AI majors and 94 offer AI minors.
College students rush to AI majors as concerns grow
A recent CNN poll found nearly 9 in 10 Americans are concerned about AI development. MIT's AI and Decision-making program started in 2022 and is now the school's second-most popular major. Tracy Camp, CEO of Computing Research Association, says AI degree programs are seeing tremendous popularity. 74 colleges now offer AI majors and 94 offer AI minors.
AI majors surge at colleges despite safety fears
Despite warnings from tech leaders about AI risks, college students are increasingly choosing AI as a major. At MIT, the AI program grew from a few dozen students to more than 300 and is now the second-most popular major. Student Julia Schneider says ethical considerations are a big part of the curriculum. 74 schools across the US now have AI majors and 94 have AI minors.
Global plan to keep humans safe from AI faces big challenges
World leaders including Trump, Xi, and UN officials are discussing AI safety this week. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attended a UN Security Council meeting on September 23, 2026. The article says a 90-day opt-in rapid response mechanism is needed to connect existing AI safety efforts. Current systems are not set up to respond globally and in real time to an AI crisis.
AI security awareness becomes key part of cybersecurity
Organizations are struggling to keep up with AI-powered cyber threats like deepfakes and social engineering. Traditional security training with annual courses is no longer enough. The EU AI Act adds new challenges as AI becomes more common in daily work. Companies need to use data from collaboration platforms and productivity tools to provide real-time guidance to employees. Measuring security awareness by completion rates alone no longer gives an accurate picture of employee behavior.
Purdue and LEGO Education team up to train Indiana teachers in AI and robotics
Purdue University and LEGO Education are partnering to train Indiana middle school teachers in AI, coding and robotics. The training will focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications. The goal is to help teachers bring these subjects into their classrooms. This effort supports STEM education and prepares students for future jobs.
Study finds AI shopping tools make many product errors
A study by Product.ai found that major large language models make high error rates when helping users find products online. The research shows AI shopping tools still struggle with accuracy. These tools are increasingly used by shoppers but may give unreliable results. The findings raise concerns about trusting AI for everyday shopping tasks.
Trump's strong support for AI angers some loyal supporters
President Donald Trump has strongly promoted artificial intelligence, but some of his loyal supporters are confused and concerned. Trump says AI will create jobs and improve healthcare and education. However, some worry AI could replace workers and worsen inequality. Even some members of his own party are skeptical about his push for AI adoption.
Trump rules out Scott Bessent for AI czar role
President Trump said he will not pick Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to be the AI czar. Bessent has been a key figure in AI talks with China and helped negotiate deals ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit. Trump praised Bessent's work at Treasury and said he wants to keep him there. Venture capitalist David Sacks has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.
Syracuse University launches new AI research institute
Syracuse University opened the Institute for Artificial Intelligence at Hinds Hall. The institute brings together faculty from four schools to research AI security, governance and policy. Director Paulo Shakarian, an engineering professor, leads the effort. Chancellor Mike Haynie has been working to embed AI into research and school work since taking over in April.
Ricursive Intelligence founders to discuss AI-designed chips at Disrupt 2026
Ricursive Intelligence is building AI that can design computer chips, aiming to cut the chip development cycle from two to three years down to weeks. Co-founders Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini previously worked at Google DeepMind and Anthropic. The startup launched in late 2025 and raised $335 million at a $4 billion valuation, with Nvidia among its investors. The company plans to use AI to automate chip design tasks like component placement and verification. Goldie and Mirhoseini will speak at Disrupt 2026 about how AI-designed hardware could accelerate future AI capabilities.
Texas explores AI use in state government services
Texas is expanding its use of artificial intelligence across state government to improve efficiency and deliver services to its 31 million residents more effectively. Tony Sauerhoff, executive director of the Texas Department of Information Resources, said AI is the most transformational technology the state has seen in over 30 years. The state is considering using AI to reduce staffing through natural attrition and is focusing on agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation for applications such as reducing crash rates. In late 2025, Texas created an AI code of ethics that includes redress policies allowing residents to fix wrong decisions made by AI systems. Lawmakers are also considering tighter AI regulations, especially around data centers, ahead of the next legislative session starting in mid-January.
Sources
- As tech leaders warn of risks, more college students major in AI
- As tech leaders warn of risks, more college students major in AI
- As tech leaders warn of risks, more college students major in AI
- There’s a global plan to save humans from AI. Can it actually work?
- AI Security Awareness is the New Frontline of Cybersecurity
- Purdue and LEGO Education Bring AI, Coding and Robotics Training to Indiana Teachers
- Study reveals AI shopping tools struggle with accuracy
- Maga base recoils as Donald Trump goes all-in on AI
- Trump rules out Bessent as AI czar
- Syracuse University Opens New Institute for AI Research
- Ricursive Intelligence’s co-founders join Disrupt 2026
- Here's a look at how Texas is using AI in state government
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