Key Takeaways:
• Increased use of GenAI technology in education sparks concerns and debates.
• University of Delaware (UD) embraces AI through its Financial Services Analytics (FSAN) Ph.D. program, unique at the doctoral level.
• FSAN combines diverse fields of study with real-world experience, and partners with JP Morgan Chase, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, and the College of Engineering.
• The program prepares graduates excellently for in-demand fintech jobs, tackling the AI skills shortage problem.
• UD’s model encourages other universities to develop programs meeting the evolving workforce demands.
The Rise of GenAI in Education
The advent of GenAI platforms like ChatGPT has brought significant transformations in the education sector, notably in research and development. While offering immense potential, the usage of GenAI by students to complete projects and homework has raised some eyebrows. Universities are now searching for effective ways to regulate AI use in education.
Embracing AI: The UD Approach
In contrast, the University of Delaware (UD) is guiding its students to be key players in the AI disruption. UD offers a unique program, the Financial Services Analytics (FSAN) Ph.D., which caters to graduates aiming for high-tier fintech jobs. Despite the recent GenAI surge, UD has provided this program since 2014, reported Bintong Chen, FSAN’s director.
Holistic Learning with FSAN
As revealed by UDaily, UD’s official newspaper, the FSAN program offers the perfect blend of academia and practical experience. The program partners with JP Morgan Chase, the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, and the College of Engineering. This partnership facilitates access to advanced facilities and financial aid, including tuition coverage and a competitive stipend.
In-Depth Knowledge and Training
The curriculum of the FSAN program is geared towards providing students a profound understanding of data-driven decision-making tools utilizable in the financial services industry and other tech sectors. Offering an interdisciplinary experience, the FSAN program accepts students from various academic backgrounds such as computer science, statistics, business, and engineering. As students explore both theoretical and practical applications of technology, they become adept in data usage in the financial services sector and related areas.
Tackling the AI Skills Shortage
While the AI skills shortage is a significant stumbling block to AI’s progress, FSAN acts as a solution. FSAN graduates master machine learning, artificial intelligence, and large language models (LLMs), making them uniquely equipped for fintech jobs.
Real-World Experience
FSAN also offers internship opportunities with partners including JP Morgan Chase, Barclays, Amazon, HP, Sallie Mae, and LinkedIn. This gives the graduates real-world experiences before stepping into their professional journeys. As FSAN student Leonardo De La Rosa Angarita remarks, the program’s diverse academic mixture allows students to support each other’s learning effectively.
Preparing for a Changing Workforce
The highly competitive FSAN program accepts only a limited number of students annually. As GenAI continues to make waves in the business world, the demand for AI skills inevitably escalates. Other top universities can learn from UD and introduce similar programs to arm their graduates for a rapidly evolving workforce.
Endnote: As AI continues to permeate all aspects of our lives, it is crucial for education systems to adapt and equip students with the necessary skills for a tech-savvy future. With its unique FSAN program, the University of Delaware is certainly taking a step in the right direction.
