Washburn University will soon offer a new Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Certificate that blends computing, philosophy and ethics to make AI education accessible to students across all majors. The program, led by the Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS), is designed to teach both the conceptual and practical sides of AI while encouraging students to think critically about its role in society.
Nan Sun, professor and chair of the CIS department, said the program was created collaboratively by faculty from multiple schools and disciplines.
“We wanted to provide AI literacy to anybody interested in AI topics,” Sun said. “These classes are meant for everyone, students from any background can learn the fundamentals, applications and ethical implications of AI.”
The certificate includes three courses that can be completed within about a year. The first, AI 108: AI Fundamentals – Machines, Minds and Society, introduces students to the foundations and history of artificial intelligence, including major breakthroughs and ideas such as the “AI spring” and “AI winter.” It also covers applications like natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, autonomous systems and generative tools such as ChatGPT. Students explore how AI impacts industries, education and society while examining its ethical dimensions. The only prerequisite for the course is EN 101.
After completing AI 108, students can take AI 208: AI Methods – From Concepts to Applications, which focuses on hands-on learning. The course introduces real-world tools and practices such as prompt engineering, no-code AI platforms and APIs for models like ChatGPT, Gemini and DALL-E.
“Students will work on computers, explore tools and solve real problems,” Sun said. “We want them to understand not only the concepts, but also how to apply AI meaningfully.”
The final course, PH 329: AI Ethics, is offered through the philosophy department and examines ethical, social and philosophical challenges of artificial intelligence. Students analyze topics including privacy, bias, surveillance, automation and the moral responsibilities of AI creators and users. It fulfills the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) general education requirement for Arts and Humanities and Washburn’s USLO for Global Citizenship, Ethics and Diversity. Prerequisites include AI 108, three hours of philosophy or instructor consent.
“Ethics is core to AI,” Sun said. “Philosophy helps us think about fairness and responsibility as AI becomes part of our daily lives.”
The program will begin in Spring 2026 with AI 108, followed by AI 208 and PH 329 in Fall 2026. There are no mathematics or programming prerequisites, making the courses approachable for both technical and non-technical students. For Bachelor of Science students, such as those in biology, chemistry, mathematics or computer information sciences, the first two courses of the series AI108 and AI 208 count towards the 30-credit-hour concentration requirement.
Sun noted that while the certificate has no formal capstone, courses will include papers and small projects connecting technical and ethical perspectives.
“We designed these classes so both technical and non-technical people can understand AI and still apply it,” Sun said. “Everyone should know how AI impacts the world.”
By integrating technology and philosophy, Washburn’s new AI certificate aims to prepare students to engage thoughtfully with one of the most transformative forces of the modern era.
Students can learn more about this program through the university website. For further information, students can email [email protected].
Edited by Anson Appelhanz and Stuti Khadka
