*Title: AI Training: Colleges Are Basically Playing Catch-Up – And That’s Kind of Wild**
Let’s be real – the hype around AI is *intense*. It feels like every other week there’s a new chatbot, a generative image tool, or some other mind-bending tech popping up. But if you’ve been trying to actually *learn* how to work with this stuff, you’ve probably noticed a frustrating disconnect: the demand for AI training is exploding, and universities are just… barely keeping pace. According to a new report from Validated Insights, a staggering 57 million Americans are interested in upskilling in AI, yet only about 8.7 million are actively learning. That’s a gap that’s screaming for attention, and frankly, it’s a little unsettling.
The numbers paint a clear picture: most people are learning AI through self-directed channels – YouTube tutorials, online courses, reading – basically, the internet. Around 66% of those interested in AI are going it alone. And a third are enrolled in structured programs. But only a tiny 0.2% – a measly 7,000 people – are taking credit-bearing AI courses from colleges and universities. Carnegie Mellon was a pioneer, launching the first bachelor’s degree in AI back in 2018, and enrollment in AI programs has been growing rapidly – 45% annually for five years. SUNY at Buffalo’s AI master’s program saw enrollment jump over 20 times, from five to 103 students, between 2020 and 2024. This isn’t a minor blip; it’s a massive, untapped market.
So, why the lag? It’s likely a combination of factors. Universities are notoriously slow to adapt, and launching a new degree program, especially one as rapidly evolving as AI, is a massive undertaking. Plus, the market for AI training is being dominated by ed-tech giants like Coursera and Udemy, which are already catering to this huge demand. Validated Insights head Brady Colby puts it succinctly: “This market is positioned for incredible, maybe explosive, growth.” And they’re right – the overall AI market in the U.S. is estimated to be worth $74 billion in 2025.
But here’s where it gets interesting. I suspect we’re only seeing the *initial* wave of demand. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into the workplace – think automating design tasks, building personalized learning experiences, or even generating legal documents – the need for formal training will only intensify. I’m betting that colleges will scramble to catch up, but it's going to take time to build out the curriculum and faculty needed to truly meet the demand. And frankly, I’m curious to see if traditional universities can even *handle* this level of growth – will they be able to scale quickly enough?
Looking ahead, I think we’ll see a shift. Perhaps universities will need to partner more closely with ed-tech companies to deliver training, or maybe we’ll see a rise in micro-credentials and specialized bootcamps. The key takeaway is this: the future of work is inextricably linked to AI, and the institutions that can effectively bridge the gap between theory and practice will be the ones that thrive.
Ultimately, this situation isn’t a warning sign for colleges – it’s an opportunity. A *huge* one. But it’s a reminder that the tech landscape moves at warp speed, and those who hesitate risk being left behind.
