Emory University announced on Apr. 14 that undergraduates from any major can now enroll in a new, accessible course on artificial intelligence. The two-credit class, “Introduction to AI Applications” (DATASCI 185), is offered by the Department of Data and Decision Sciences and does not require coding or advanced math skills.
The course aims to provide students with a broad understanding of how AI affects workplaces, institutions, and daily life. By focusing on real-world scenarios rather than technical training, the curriculum helps students understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI systems. Topics such as bias, ethics, and societal impact are emphasized to give participants a holistic perspective.
Danilo Freire, visiting assistant professor who developed the syllabus and teaches the first cohort of 50 students this semester, said: “AI is going to be a companion in the job market for the foreseeable future. The goal is to make our students better informed citizens and to give them the tools they need to be competitive in the market. We wanted to make it as democratic as possible—no coding requirements, no prerequisites like calculus or linear algebra. It’s basically AI for everyone.”
First-year student Chad Himes commented on how quickly technology changes: “The technology changes week by week, day by day,” he said. Himes also noted that diverse majors represented in class lead to rich discussions: “It’s a very qualitative overview of AI.” Senior Phoebe Gentry added: “I’m not a math person. Honestly, I wouldn’t have taken the class if coding was involved… I find the class to be very accessible.”
For those interested in further study after completing this introductory course, Emory plans an advanced track focused on applied usage and decision-making with AI for Data Science majors beginning spring 2027. Cliff Carrubba, chair of DSci department said: “The workforce today needs people who can work with large volumes of data… This track bridges AI literacy and AI ethics with a focus on informed decision-making for positive societal impact.”
Together with its planned advanced track, Emory’s new offerings reflect its commitment through initiatives like AI.Humanity toward preparing students not just as users but also evaluators of emerging technologies.
