New AI programs are popping up at higher ed institutions across the country at the graduate and undergraduate level. These programs seek to meet the growing demand for AI experts who can help design this technology but also help society navigate it. We spoke with educators at two of these programs to seek their advice about what students entering the field should keep in mind when pursuing an AI degree.

Elite US universities, including Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, and New York University, have experienced significant data breaches this year, exposing the personal information of students, faculty, alumni, and donors. Hackers are targeting elite universities not only for financial gain, like accessing donor lists and personal data for resale or future scams, but also for ideological reasons. Some attackers are motivated by political or social grievances, aiming to protest university policies or gain leverage in ongoing debates over higher education. Additionally, foreign actors seek to steal valuable research, especially in fields with military or commercial significance.

Moody's Ratings has issued a negative outlook for the US higher education sector in fiscal 2026, citing ongoing enrollment declines, rising operational expenses, and tightening financial margins. The agency projects that revenue growth will slow to 3.5% overall, while expenses are expected to increase by 4.4%. Smaller institutions are likely to face even slimmer revenue gains, and a growing percentage of private colleges will operate with negative earnings margins. These financial pressures are compounded by demographic changes, notably the declining number of high school graduates, making cost control and operational efficiency more critical than ever.

Dual enrollment is on the rise in Nebraska, with 33% of high-school students participating in 2022, up from 26% in 2016, according to a report from the Nebraska Statewide Workforce Educational Reporting System. The trend is supported by colleges such as the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Western Nebraska Community College and Mid-Plains Community College, which offer dual-credit courses in various formats, including online, to reach more students.