MSU launches AI Essentials course for undergrads

Michigan State University is encouraging undergraduates to consider enrolling in a new course to help students understand, evaluate and responsibly use AI.

“AI presents opportunities and challenges across every discipline and in nearly every workplace, and we want to equip our Spartans with dynamic skills for a future-facing economy,” said President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “Michigan State University’s Green and White Council identified AI readiness as one of its key initiatives, paving the way to make resources available to support faculty in their work to incorporate AI across multiple disciplines, including through the development of a foundational course that helps our students learn how to use AI effectively, efficiently and ethically.”

AI Essentials: What Every Spartan Should Know is a new one-credit, self-paced online course designed to help MSU students build practical AI literacy skills and prepare for success in academics, research and the workforce. Students who complete the course earn an MSU micro-credential and a LinkedIn digital badge that provide portable evidence of foundational AI knowledge and responsible AI practice for internships, graduate study and future careers.

Specifically, AI Essentials: What Every Spartan Should Know provides:

• One credit, open to all MSU students
• Fifteen interactive lessons focused on AI understanding, evaluation and use
• Self-paced format so students can learn anytime and anywhere
• Insights from AI leaders and industry experts
• An opportunity to earn a university-recognized AI micro-credential demonstrating workforce-ready AI skills

The course was developed by Assistant Professor Mohammad Ghassemi at Computer Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering and was funded through MSU’s AI-Ready Spartans: Education Innovation Grants Challenge. The grant challenge was an institutional call to action inviting faculty and academic partners to design transformative learning experiences that prepare graduates to lead in an AI-driven world. The Education Innovation Grants Challenge resulted in 18 awarded projects in 2026 and 2027, totaling more than $500,000.

“AI literacy is quickly becoming a foundational skill, regardless of a student’s field of study,” said Ghassemi. “Our goal with AI Essentials is to give every MSU student enough understanding of how these systems work to evaluate their outputs critically, recognize their limitations, and use them effectively and responsibly."

Aligned with Michigan State University’s strategic commitment to developing talent for an innovation-powered economy, the grant challenge supports faculty-led efforts that integrate AI competencies, real-world applications and responsible use into the student experience. MSU already offers more than 30 courses related to artificial intelligence, and faculty across many disciplines have been advancing AI-focused teaching and research for years.

AI-Ready Spartans is one of the Green and White Council’s transformational initiatives focused on developing talent for in-demand jobs across the state and equipping Spartans with the skills of the future. Employers increasingly expect graduates to bring AI and digital competency to every role, from business and engineering to healthcare and the arts. AI-Ready Spartans empowers faculty to lead the integration of AI across the undergraduate experience, while partnering with industry leaders to provide employer insights, with a goal of ensuring every graduate has ample opportunity to learn how to use AI effectively and responsibly.

More information about the course and directions on how to enroll can be found on the AI Essentials: What Every Spartan Should Know website.