AI Policy, Minor

Contact

Johannes Himmelreich
310A Maxwell Hall
jrhimmel@syr.edu

Faculty

Richard Barton, Hamid Ekbia, Johannes Himmelreich, Zachary Huitink, Leonard M. Lopoo, Jiahuan Lu, Tina Nabatchi, Kristen Patel, Jack Reilly, Michiko Ueda-Ballmer, Peter Wilcoxen, Michael J. Williams, Baobao Zhang.

Description

Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacts all policy areas, such as social, environmental, educational, or foreign policy. The AI Policy minor offers multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to (i) analyze what policy problems AI poses, (ii) assess how AI can be governed, and (iii) develop AI tools for government, policy analysis, and public sector work. As such, the program covers issues at the intersection of AI and Policy Studies.

This program helps prepare students for careers in policy analysis, AI development, technology management, and implementation in government, public service delivery, national security, and non-profit organizations.

The minor consists of three areas:

I. AI Policy Core
II. Analytical Skills Foundations
III. Electives: Policy Areas and Analytical Skills

For students with a background in policy studies, the program emphasizes analytical and quantitative skills for government AI applications and policy evaluation.

For students with a background that includes analytical skills (e.g., computer science or applied data analytics), the program offers foundational skills of policy analysis and competence in at least one policy area. Students with such a background are strongly encouraged to take electives that introduce specific policy areas or processes.

AI Policy Core (9 credits)

Foundational knowledge and skills on AI and Policy, covering both theoretical approaches and policy applications.

Required courses:

PST 101 - An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
MAX 320 - AI and Humanity: Charting Possible Futures
PAI 300 - Selected Topics (only toply “AI Policy” approved for this requirement)

Analytical Skills Foundations (3 credits)

Quantitative and analytical background skills for evidence-based policymaking or AI application development. Courses fulfilling this requirement ensure that students meet or exceed a certain level of practical proficiency skills in data analytics or AI application development.

Students must take one the following courses:

Electives: Policy Areas and Analytical Skills (6 credits)

Students can choose to

Study policy fields and impact areas to explore how these intersect and are affected by AI, such as science and technology policy, poverty policy, and military applications (with PST and PAI courses).
Deepen their analytical skills in applied data science or AI (with AIA and IST courses)
Extend their knowledge of policy processes and political contexts (with PSC courses)

Students must take two of any PST, PAI, PSC, AIA, or IST course at the 300-level or above

Or any of: