AI beyond engineering

In Bangladesh and much of South Asia, artificial intelligence (AI) is still commonly perceived as the domain of technical fields like computer science and engineering. However, this view limits the true potential of AI, which has become a transformative force across numerous disciplines, from medicine and business to environmental science, social sciences, and the arts. Recognising AI's broad, interdisciplinary applications, visionary universities worldwide are embedding AI into a diverse array of academic fields. This integration equips students not only with foundational AI knowledge but also with practical experience, preparing them to succeed in an evolving, technology-driven world.

This article highlights AI's applications beyond technical fields, showing how cross-disciplinary AI education prepares students for innovation, complex problem-solving, and adapting to a global workforce. By embracing AI across the curriculum, educational institutions can foster a new generation of professionals ready to lead in an AI-powered future.

AI IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT: In today's globalised economy, AI is reshaping business by enabling data-driven decision-making, improving efficiency, and keeping companies competitive. Recognising AI's pivotal role, leading business schools worldwide are incorporating AI applications-ranging from predictive analytics and consumer behaviour modelling to financial forecasting and process automation-into their curricula. This equips students with essential skills to apply AI in marketing, finance, HR, and logistics, preparing them to thrive in technology-driven business environments. By blending theory with practical AI applications, these programs develop business professionals who can leverage AI for strategic advantage.

Business schools across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia lead the way in AI education. Harvard Business School uses AI-driven analytics for marketing and strategic decisions, allowing students to analyse consumer behaviour and optimize pricing using real-world case studies. INSEAD, with campuses in France and Singapore, emphasizes AI's role in market analysis, consumer segmentation, and supply chain efficiency, tailoring AI applications to diverse business settings across Europe and Asia. Similarly, the National University of Singapore integrates AI for finance and customer management, preparing graduates for roles in the expanding FinTech sector. Other institutions, like London Business School and the University of Melbourne, offer courses on AI in digital transformation and personalised customer experiences, providing hands-on experience through industry collaborations.

The integration of AI in business education extends to areas like customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain logistics, financial forecasting, and HR. AI-enabled CRM tools let students design personalized customer experiences, essential in e-commerce and retail. AI-driven logistics models help students optimize supply chains, while in finance, students learn predictive modelling and risk analysis. HR applications allow students to use AI to predict workforce trends and enhance talent management. Mastering these applications, graduates from AI-empowered business programs gain a competitive edge, ready to lead AI initiatives aligned with strategic business goals.

AI IN HEALTHCARE AND LIFE SCIENCES: AI applications in healthcare are transformative, enhancing diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient care. Medical programs at institutions like Stanford University and Imperial College London integrate AI, training students in areas like image analysis in radiology, genomic sequencing, and predictive healthcare modelling. AI-based diagnostic tools, for instance, can detect diseases like cancer with remarkable precision. Students trained on such tools develop expertise in AI-driven healthcare, equipping them to improve patient outcomes in efficient, technology-enhanced healthcare systems. This hands-on approach prepares future professionals for tackling complex medical challenges, contributing to global health improvements.

AI IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY: Environmental science programs are increasingly using AI to address challenges such as climate change, resource management, and conservation. Institutions like ETH Zurich and Australia's University of Queensland incorporate AI into environmental studies, where students learn to monitor ecosystems, forecast weather patterns, and create renewable energy solutions. For example, students may use AI models to analyse satellite images for tracking deforestation, helping governments and NGOs respond to environmental degradation in real-time. This training enables graduates to apply data-driven insights toward sustainable environmental solutions, making meaningful contributions to global issues.

AI IN ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING: In fields like manufacturing, civil infrastructure, and robotics, AI is driving innovation and efficiency. Institutions such as MIT and the Technical University of Munich incorporate AI into their engineering programs, allowing students to simulate processes, optimize structures, and develop automated systems. In manufacturing, AI applications include predictive maintenance and logistics optimization, enhancing production efficiency and quality control. Robotics students, for example, design AI-powered robots for complex tasks like assembly or hazardous material handling. These real-world AI applications provide students with the practical skills needed to lead advancements in automation and smart manufacturing.

AI IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES: AI is also making an impact in social sciences and humanities, fields that were traditionally data-limited but are now rich with insights through AI analytics. Universities like Oxford and the University of Toronto use AI tools in sociology, psychology, and political science to study social patterns, behavioural trends, and policy impacts. Political science students can use predictive analytics to model election outcomes or assess public opinion shifts, while psychology students may apply AI-driven sentiment analysis to evaluate mental health trends on social media, identifying community needs. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to ground theoretical knowledge in empirical data, fostering a nuanced understanding of societal issues and enabling evidence-based solutions.

AI IN LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY: AI is also transforming law and public policy, fields that were traditionally considered resistant to technology. Institutions like the National University of Singapore and Stanford Law School now offer courses on AI applications in legal research, contract analysis, and case prediction. Students learn how AI can automate document reviews, identify precedents, and predict case outcomes based on past rulings. In public policy, AI enables the analysis of healthcare access, crime rates, and education quality, providing empirical evidence for data-driven policy decisions. This integration equips future professionals to address the ethical and regulatory challenges of AI, preparing them to create informed legislation that balances innovation with responsible AI use.

By embracing AI across disciplines, universities worldwide are preparing a generation of graduates ready to lead in an AI-powered world.

AI IN ARTS AND DESIGN: AI introduces an exciting new dimension to arts and design, opening frontiers for creativity and innovation. Programs at institutions like the Royal College of Art in the UK and Parsons School of Design in the US are incorporating AI into courses that explore generative design, digital art, and music composition. Through AI, students create immersive virtual reality experiences, develop algorithmic art, and even compose music using machine learning models. In media arts, AI enhances special effects, personalizes viewer experiences, and optimizes content recommendations. By merging AI with creative disciplines, universities empower students to push the boundaries of traditional art forms, creating a unique blend of technology and artistic expression that redefines the possibilities in arts.

AI IN JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS: AI is redefining journalism and mass communications, reshaping how news is gathered, produced, and delivered in an age of rapid digital transformation. Top media organisations and journalism schools globally are adopting AI-powered tools to create a more agile, responsive, and insightful media landscape. AI tools analyze vast datasets, automate content generation, personalize news delivery, and detect misinformation, enabling journalists to produce content more quickly, accurately, and with greater impact. From automating routine news to enhancing fact-checking, AI allows newsrooms to cover stories efficiently, freeing journalists to delve into complex investigative work. Journalism students, in turn, learn to use AI technologies to meet emerging challenges and capitalise on AI-driven opportunities in media

In practice, AI advances news automation, personalised content, investigative data analysis, and multimedia storytelling. Organisations like The Associated Press and Reuters employ AI algorithms to automate routine reports on financials, sports, and weather, allowing journalists to focus on in-depth stories. AI personalises content to readers' preferences, as seen with The New York Times and BBC, which recommend articles based on reader interests, enhancing engagement. AI-powered visual tools also streamline video editing, create immersive AR and VR content, and enable social listening on platforms like Crimson Hexagon, tracking public sentiment on key issues. Predictive analytics helps outlets like The Guardian forecast trends, while translation tools like Google Translate broaden reach globally. Journalism programs now integrate training in these applications, preparing students for a field where tech-savvy complements traditional reporting skills. As students consider the ethical aspects of AI-addressing privacy, bias, and responsible use-they are positioned to lead with integrity in a fast-evolving digital world.

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT: By embedding AI across disciplines, universities create a space where students experience AI's transformative potential in varied contexts. This cross-functional approach produces graduates who are not only experts in their fields but also proficient in AI, ready to work in interdisciplinary teams and adapt to fast-changing, tech-driven environments. Real-world projects, internships, and AI-driven lab work help students to bridge academic knowledge with industry practice, equipping them to contribute meaningfully from day one in the workforce. This blend of theory and practice prepares students to drive change and innovation across industries.

BUILDING A RESILIENT WORKFORCE FOR AN AI-DRIVEN WORLD: In a global economy that values digital proficiency and technological expertise, universities that embrace AI across disciplines position their graduates for lasting success. Integrating AI into diverse fields ensures that students gain foundational knowledge while also learning to apply AI in industry-relevant ways. This mix of theory and hands-on experience fosters agile, innovative graduates equipped to navigate the complexities of an AI-powered future. As AI advances, this approach cultivates a resilient workforce capable of adapting and harnessing AI responsibly to address real-world challenges and contribute to societal progress.

Dr Serajul I Bhuiyan is a professor and former chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications at Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia. USA; and a Georgia Governor's AI Teaching Fellow at Louise

McBee Institute of Higher Education, University of Georgia, Athens, USA.

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