BS in AI and PPE
Study AI through the lens of society
How does AI influence markets, innovation, our social lives and political institutions? Should AI help make decisions about hiring, public policy or education?
In the BS in AI and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the University at Buffalo, you will study how artificial intelligence interacts with the ideas, institutions and economic systems that shape society. PPE combines philosophy, political science and economics to help you understand complex challenges through ethical reasoning, policy analysis and economic thinking. Together, these fields help you explore how AI can address real-world problems while raising important questions about justice, policy and social change.
Learn about:
Most AI programs focus primarily on technology. The BS in AI and PPE takes a broader approach by exploring how artificial intelligence affects people, institutions and public life.
At UB, you'll:
- Study AI alongside economics, political science and philosophy
- Examine ethical questions surrounding emerging technologies
- Learn how AI influences policy, business and social systems
- Use computational tools to better understand complex social problems
- Complete a capstone focused on social impact
Study AI at a university leading the field
UB is a leader in artificial intelligence research and education. You will learn at a university helping shape the future of AI through research, innovation and real-world applications.
At UB, you will study at a university that is:
- Home to Empire AI, a statewide initiative focused on societal challenges
- Home to a National Science Foundation-funded National AI Institute
- Supported by more than 400 researchers working on AI-related projects
- Connected to multiple institutes and centers exploring AI applications
- Building a growing community of students interested in using AI for the public good
Study AI through a social lens
Explore how artificial intelligence shapes policy, economies and democratic institutions while examining its impact on society.
Build technical and analytical skills
Develop computational and quantitative skills while learning how to apply them to questions in economics, politics and public life.
Ethics built into the curriculum
Examine fairness, accountability and responsible innovation as part of your study of emerging technologies.
Learn through research and applied projects
Connect classroom learning to research, community partnerships and real-world problem solving.
Complete a capstone project
Work with a team to address a real-world challenge using tools from AI, economics and public policy.
You will build expertise through a combination of AI coursework, social science perspectives and hands-on learning experiences.
You will complete:
- Courses in AI and society
- AI ethics and policy coursework
- Computational and quantitative training
- Economics and political science foundations
- Advanced electives focused on social systems and public policy
- A capstone project addressing a real-world challenge
You might take courses such as:
- "AI and Society"
- "AI and Ethics"
- "AI and Democracy"
- "Modeling Society"
- "Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence"
- "Artificial Intelligence and Economic Policy"
This interdisciplinary degree helps you understand both the technical foundations of AI and its broader social implications.
You will learn to:
- Evaluate how AI can be used to advance the public good
- Identify potential societal harms and ethical challenges associated with AI
- Analyze how AI influences public policy, economics and social institutions
- Understand how AI technologies can reinforce or reduce existing inequalities
- Apply computational methods to real-world social problems
- Use social science models to analyze complex issues
- Combine ethical reasoning with evidence-based decision making
- Develop and communicate solutions across disciplinary boundaries
- Work effectively as part of a collaborative team
This degree prepares you to understand both technology and the social systems it affects. Organizations across government, business and nonprofit sectors increasingly need professionals who understand both AI technologies and their social impact.
Graduates may pursue careers such as:
- AI policy analyst
- AI ethics consultant
- Technology policy advisor
- Data analyst
- Public policy consultant
- Economic modeler
- Government AI advisor
- Regulatory affairs specialist
- Responsible AI consultant
- AI strategist
- Technology journalist
The BS in AI and Philosophy, Politics and Economics is designed for students who want to understand both the technology shaping the future and the social systems it affects. If you are interested in AI, ethics, policy and social change, this program offers a unique path that combines all four.
Questions about the PPE major or academic planning?
