University of Puget Sound Launches New Emphasis in AI and Human Values, Preparing Students for Changing Employment Needs
By ANJA KENNEDY and SYLVIE HOLMES
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the University of Puget Sound is presenting a new emphasis in AI and Human Values. An announcement was made via Instagram in May, stating: “The University of Puget Sound is launching the Pacific Northwest’s first interdisciplinary AI and Human Values program, centered on developing the ‘other AI’: Actual Intelligence. Rooted in reason, empathy, critical thinking, and human connection, the program prepares students to lead thoughtfully in a rapidly changing world.” The program requires students to take classes in computing and ethical theories, as well as three AI electives of the eleven offered. Ariela Tubert, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, is one of the program’s founders. “The general idea is to give students an opportunity to develop a competency in engaging with AI or thinking about AI issues over their time here at Puget Sound,” said Tubert.
The emphasis is meant to be interdisciplinary and allow students to incorporate their knowledge of AI into their intended major. “I think we’ve had students who basically satisfied the program, but without getting it in their transcripts, or being able to tell people that this is something they have done,” said Tubert. With the new emphasis, students can gain official recognition of their AI competency, giving them an edge in the job market. Tubert doesn’t believe that the emphasis will eventually become a major or minor. “Instead of trying to duplicate the work that people are doing in a major, the idea is that you would get this competency in thinking about AI issues, and then you combine that with the study in your major.” Student Magnus Mansfield (‘27) agreed. “I can see the AI & Human Values as making you more competitive for certain positions as it signals to employers that you are familiar with AI and understand its relevance to your major,” he said. The emphasis also allows students to “double count” as many courses as they wish across other majors and minors, making it accessible to complete.
According to Tubert, the emphasis is not inherently pro-AI. “Some students will be part of the program because they’re interested in learning how to use AI in a more ethically nuanced way. Then, other students will be part of the program because they want to criticize AI and AI use,” she said. It is important for these groups to interact during their undergraduate years in order to practice engaging with contrasting AI views in professional spaces. Even students who are against participation recognize the opportunities for others in the program. “As someone who is very opposed to AI, I think it’s pretty cool. The program appears to explore how AI is at odds with authenticity and the human experience,” said student Griffin Burkhart (‘29). Mansfield felt similarly. “I was initially skeptical of the AI & Human Values emphasis as I saw it as just another way that UPS was jumping on the AI bandwagon. However, what gives me hope is the ‘Human Values’ side of the emphasis, as, to my understanding, the program focuses on how to maintain and work towards what matters in the face of rapid technological change, rather than, for example, how to integrate Claude into your workflow,” he said.
It’s clear that AI is changing the career world. “While I wish it weren’t true, AI is here to stay. In order to fight back against AI being used in artistic spaces and other human spaces, and push for better environmental regulations, we need people who understand the landscape of this new technology,” Burkhart said. Tubert predicts that students involved in the emphasis will move on to one of three career paths. The first includes students who will work strictly with AI, such as AI researchers or developers. The second group is students who will have a career that requires proficiency in AI usage, but that is not primarily focused on it, for instance, someone handling AI in healthcare. The final portion of students is those who will go on to work in a field that is not necessarily related to AI, but whose workplace will be using it in one way or another.
As AI continues to present many ethical concerns surrounding its usage, it is more important than ever to be educated in its potential and conscious of the role it plays in our society. Burkhart hopes “that those who do take this emphasis use it as a way to fight for AI policies that benefit us and the environment and don’t use it as a way to get a high-paying job where they just tell AI to do things all day. I hope no one would want that for themselves.” Tubert stated, “The program itself is not taking a stance on whether AI use in general is good or bad, but it is trying to set a space where students can develop their awareness of the problems and also figure out if there are ways of getting around them.” The AI and Human Values emphasis provides one opportunity for Puget Sound students to gain that awareness before stepping into their futures. Those looking to learn more about the emphasis can find information on the University website and Bulletin.