We keep asking whether students should use AI. That’s the wrong question. The real issue is whether we are truly preparing students for a future that is inextricably tied to AI.
I am not a Purdue University alum, but I like the direction the school is moving. They just made AI competence a graduation requirement starting next fall. The school unveiled AI@Purdue, a university-wide strategy that goes well beyond policy statements or usage guidelines. A few highlights stood out to me:
- A new AI working competency will be required for all undergraduates starting in fall 2026
- The requirement will be discipline-specific, not one-size-fits-all. Engineers, nurses, and business students will not necessarily learn the same AI skills.
- Industry advisory boards will refresh AI criteria annually to stay aligned with employer needs. This is an important move away from generic tech requirements and toward workforce-aligned capabilities.
I’ve sat through countless conversations about whether AI belongs in the classroom. What struck me about Purdue’s announcement is how decisively they moved past that question. Purdue isn’t just adding AI, they are treating AI literacy as foundational, like writing or quantitative reasoning. AI is no longer an elective.
The goal is to ensure graduates can effectively use AI tools, communicate AI-informed decisions, and adapt as technologies evolve. Employers are increasingly expect graduates to work with AI, not just understand it conceptually. Universities that fail to operationalize that expectation will just widen the skills gap they are trying to close.
Related content you might also like:
- Embracing AI in Education: A New Frontier at Ferris State University
- Will AI Take My Job? 10 Ways to Stay Relevant
- AI and the Future of Work: Leading Machines and People Together
- The Future of the Workforce: People, Agents and Robots
