Stephen MacNeil Helped Create Temple’s New AI Major

March 1, 2026

Stephen MacNeil helped lead the development of Temple University's new Artificial Intelligence major in collaboration with Dominic Letarte and Chiu Tan. The new degree program is scheduled to launch in Fall 2026.

The major was designed to build on Temple's existing computer science curriculum rather than replace it with a narrow or trend-driven program. The curriculum uses the CS major as its backbone, giving students a strong foundation in programming, data structures, mathematics, and core technical concepts while also making it easier to move between the CS and AI majors.

One of the key goals behind the new program was to create a more intentional pathway for students whose interests sit at the intersection of computing, machine learning, and design. In addition to core computing foundations, the AI major includes coursework in machine learning, data science, and human-centered design. Many computer science students already try to assemble a similar path through electives, but the new major makes that trajectory more coherent and easier to navigate.

MacNeil has emphasized that this is not a “prompt engineering” degree. Instead, the program is meant to prepare students with both technical depth and the broader perspective needed to understand how AI systems are designed, evaluated, and used in real-world settings.

The new major reflects a growing demand from students who want rigorous preparation in AI while staying grounded in strong computing fundamentals. It also aligns with MacNeil's broader work in human-computer interaction, computing education, and critical approaches to AI.