University of Montana Proposes First Human-Centered AI Certificate

“Because we think a lot about how do we not just remain alongside artificial intelligence but really be thoughtful and intentional about how it’s used in the right way,” Michael Cassens told KPAX.

The University of Montana has proposed the state’s first career certificate focused on human-centered AI, KPAX reported. The program aims to help students maintain control over emerging technologies rather than simply reacting to them.

The nine-credit series is designed to teach students how to interact with AI, understand its mechanics, and test for inherent limitations and biases. Educators at the university intend to foster a sense of skepticism in students, ensuring they remain critical consumers even when technology appears certain of its own accuracy.

Michael Cassens, an associate professor of game design and interactive media at the University of Montana, says the curriculum will challenge students to resist the urge to let AI handle every task. He believes the program should teach students to decide when it is appropriate to use the technology and when it is not.

“What makes us human is our creativity, our ability for judgment, and discernment in really making the decisions,” Cassens said.

The professor noted that the certificate is intended to ensure humans remain both in the loop and in the driver’s seat. He suggested the curriculum might serve as a way to reclaim what is truly valuable to society.

The coursework will include debates and discussions regarding the ethics of the technology. This focus on judgment aims to increase the human creativity and discernment that machines cannot replicate.

The Career Certificate in Human-Centered AI is scheduled to officially launch this coming spring. While initially serving the university’s student body, Cassens expressed a goal to eventually open the program to individuals outside the Montana University System.

The timing of the proposal comes as educational institutions nationwide grapple with the rapid integration of generative models into professional workflows. By focusing on the “human-centered” aspect, the university is targeting a specific skill gap: the ability to audit and direct AI rather than just operating it.

“Maybe it’s a way to reclaim what it is that’s important to us– what is valuable to us and why is that valuable,” Cassens said.