Shape Technology’s Future
AI Policy Undergraduate Minor
Artificial intelligence is reshaping everything from how governments fight poverty to how nations compete for power.
The AI Policy minor equips you with the skills to analyze complex policy problems, understand strategies to govern emerging technologies effectively and build AI tools that serve the public good.
In a world where AI touches every policy decision, you'll learn to lead with both technical competence and ethical clarity.
What You’ll Learn
This minor prepares you as a responsive leader in AI governance. You’ll combine policy expertise with technical skills to address the challenges of emerging technology. Through this program, you:
- analyze complex policy problems posed by AI systems,
- evaluate governance approaches for emerging technologies and;
- build AI tools for government and public sector applications.
The AI policy landscape is evolving rapidly. We welcome student petitions to count additional relevant courses toward this minor, including new AI offerings across the University. Contact the program director to discuss your interests.
countries have launched national AI strategies
increase in job postings with generative AI-related skills
higher wages, on average, for workers with AI skills
Is This Minor Right for You?
The AI Policy minor welcomes students from all majors. It’s especially valuable if you’re studying:
- Computer science or information studies: Add policy analysis skills to your technical foundation
- Political science or policy studies: Gain the quantitative and technical competencies employers demand
- Social sciences: Learn how AI affects the issues you care about, from inequality to climate change
- Any field: Develop the interdisciplinary skills needed to shape how society governs emerging technology
Why Maxwell?
You’ll learn from faculty who are shaping national AI policy conversations, including editors of the Oxford Handbook of AI Governance. The program draws on expertise across political science, public administration and information studies to give you both policy depth and technical skills.
AI Policy Questions We’re Tackling
Students in the AI Policy minor explore critical questions shaping our future:
- If AI replaces many jobs, do we need universal basic income?
- How can we stop AI destroying the environment?
- Should we ban chip exports to China?
- How is AI changing warfare?
- Can an AI be conscious or can it have rights?
- Is AI an existential threat to humanity?
- Can governments collaborate on AI technology?
- How can AI improve democracy or the state?
Your Path: Three Skill Areas
Complete 18 credits across three areas. This combination ensures you gain both policy expertise and technical skills for evidence-based decision-making.
AI Policy Core (9 credits)
Build your foundation. Required courses:
- AI and Humanity: Charting Possible Futures
- AI Policy
- An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
Analytical Skills Foundation (3 credits)
Gain technical skills. Choose one course:
- Fundamentals of Computing and Programming
- Geographic Information Systems
- Introduction to Applied Data Science
- Introduction to Computer Programming
- Programming Techniques for Data Analytics
Electives: Policy Areas and Analytical Skills (6 credits)
Apply your expertise. Take two 300-level courses that:
- study policy fields and impact areas to explore how these intersect and are affected by AI, such as science and technology policy, poverty policy and military applications
- deepen your analytical skills in applied data science or AI
- extend your knowledge of policy processes and political contexts
For complete degree requirements, view the course catalog.
Launch Your Career at the AI-Policy Intersection
AI governance is one of the fastest-growing career fields. Organizations need professionals who combine policy expertise with technical understanding. The AI Policy minor positions you for roles where this unique skill combination commands premium salaries and above-average growth.
Career paths this minor supports:
- Political scientist: Analyze AI’s impact on democracy and governance (+7% job growth, faster than average)
- AI policy analyst: Advise governments and companies on AI regulation
- Technology management: Help organizations adapt to AI-driven change
- AI implementation specialist: Deploy AI systems in government, defense and nonprofits
- Data scientist: Apply AI to solve social problems (+35% job growth, much faster than average)
Professionals with AI-related skills earn 56% higher wages on average and saw a 50% increase in job postings between 2023-2024.
Take the Next Step
Contact Johannes Himmelreich, program director, to discuss how this minor fits your academic and career goals and secure your spot in the inaugural cohort.
“AI transforms every aspect of policy work—from analyzing poverty data to reshaping military strategy. This minor gives you the analytical tools and policy knowledge to navigate this intersection. You’ll be prepared for careers that didn’t exist five years ago.”
Johannes Himmelreich, associate professor, public administration and international affairs Department
Director, AI Policy Minor