Applied AI and Automation with AI – new programs attracting students to campus
The two new AI-focused programs, Applied AI and Automation with AI, are already drawing strong interest. With this initiative, Mid Sweden University strengthens both its educational offerings and campus life.
When Mid Sweden University launched two new AI programs this fall, interest was high from the start. Automation with AI and Applied AI combine classical technical skills with cutting-edge artificial intelligence – exactly what both the labor market and students are seeking.
– What stands out about Automation with AI is the integration of traditional automation knowledge with modern AI methods. Our students learn not only control systems and sensor technology, but also how data and machine learning can be used to optimize and make processes more sustainable, says Mazhar Hussain, program director for Automation with AI.
The program also includes practical lab work and projects in close collaboration with industry, with a strong focus on sustainability and the green transition.
Applied AI also has a strong connection to labor market needs. Here, traditional software development is combined with AI specialization, and in the newly established AI lab, students work with the latest technology to develop advanced models.
– Our students become skilled programmers in multiple languages, but particularly strong in Python, which is used in modern AI frameworks. This prepares them to develop advanced AI solutions demanded by a growing number of industries, says Jimmy Åhlander, program director for Applied AI.
Both programs are campus-based, which Mazhar and Jimmy emphasize as crucial. Students gain access to lab equipment, industry networks, and a social community that enhances learning.
– We already see our new students forming study groups and collaborating across programs. This creates a fantastic learning environment and contributes to campus life, says Jimmy Åhlander.
In the long term, these programs are expected to benefit both the university and the region. By educating the next generation of AI specialists, Sundsvall’s position as an IT and industrial hub is strengthened, while students gain the opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future.