The San José State University School of Information is introducing a new undergraduate certificate in Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, offering students a hands-on, ethics-driven exploration of artificial intelligence beginning fall 2025. Open to all undergraduate students enrolled at the university, the SJSU iSchool’s HCAI program aims to prepare the next generation of professionals to develop, implement, and evaluate AI systems through a human-centered lens.

Dr. Dan Nathan-Roberts, the program’s coordinator, stated that the certificate comprises three courses: two lower-division and one upper-division. “The new Human-Centered AI certificate marks an exciting new opportunity for SJSU students,” he said, “to gain valuable AI experience that is coupled with the important human component of design that is necessary for AI to be successful.”

These courses include ISDA 080: Introduction to Human-Centered AI, ISDA 081: Ethics of AI, and one of two upper-division electives—ISDA 180: Responsible Human-AI Interaction or ISDA 181: AI and Knowledge Management. The certificate can be completed in two semesters.

To begin the 9-unit certificate program, students must complete GE Areas 1A (Written Communication) and 1B (Critical Thinking and Writing) before enrolling in ISDA 080. However, students who are still completing those requirements may start with ISDA 081.

Nathan-Roberts noted that one of the upper-division electives has a technical prerequisite. “It is worth pointing out that one of the two upper-level courses requires some fundamental Python programming,” he said. “Students who do not have a programming background should take the other upper-level course.”

He also outlined the planned program launch and course schedule, starting with ISDA 080 being offered this fall 2025 semester as an asynchronous online course. “We are planning on the remainder of the classes to be offered in person,” Nathan-Roberts stated, adding, “In spring 2026, we will offer ISDA 080 and ISDA 081 every semester, offer ISDA 180 in spring semesters, and offer ISDA 181 in fall semesters.”

The program’s interdisciplinary scope is reflected in the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the newly appointed faculty, including Dr. Ingrid Steinberg, whose academic background is in philosophical and applied ethics. Steinberg brings a unique lens to the ethical complexities of AI.

“My Ph.D. research and subsequent teaching have focused on questions of identity—what makes us who we are—and on questions of autonomy—what are the conditions under which it could be justified for some people to control or restrict the decision-making freedoms of other people?” Steinberg said.

She explained that her work in SJSU’s Master of Library and Information Science degree program helps her apply those concepts in practical contexts. “AI complicates and expands existing ethical questions in the field,” she said. “I am drawn to teaching in the HCAI program because of its interdisciplinary and people-centered approach to AI. The students taking this class will work with me to explore newly charted ethical territory at an exciting, as well as, concerning time in the history of human technological development.”

Dr. Theresa Huff, who will teach ISDA 180 in spring 2026, emphasized the program’s focus on empathy, design, and learner impact. “The focus on Human-Centered AI use is the key reason I was drawn to this program,” Huff said. “The human-first, ethics-driven focus mirrors my research on designing technology with the human aspects of the learner in mind.”

She added, “While many programs focus on how to use AI, I think it’s more important than ever to consider how the technology is affecting us and our world while we are using it.”

In her course, students will explore how humans learn and apply that knowledge in designing and evaluating AI interfaces. “It is extremely satisfying to design and teach courses that try to model the very thing we are asking learners to do—center the human,” Huff said. “Asking learners to reflect, listen, and share their own experience not only makes the learning more relevant and engaging to the learner, but it can also help clarify their values and empower their voice. It’s thrilling to see my students go from cautious or curious to thoughtful and empowered.”

Another key faculty member joining the program is Dr. Grace Babalola, whose industry experience at Microsoft and Amazon informs her teaching in ISDA 080. She brings a practitioner’s perspective to the program, focusing on the real-world impact of large language models and AI in healthcare.

“What drew me to the Human-Centered AI program at SJSU is its commitment to preparing students to implement AI responsibly across diverse disciplines,” Babalola said. She was drawn to the program because of its mission. “Having worked at Microsoft and Amazon, developing LLM-powered systems,” she said, “I have experienced directly how critical it is to center human needs and ethical considerations in AI development from the outset.”

In her course, Babalola will introduce students to case studies from her work on AI-powered clinical decision support tools. “My teaching focus emphasizes bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world applications,” she said. “I will be sharing practical examples from my work developing AI-powered clinical decision support tools for healthcare professionals, demonstrating how AI can augment human capabilities rather than replace them.”

She added that SJSU’s student body makes this work especially rewarding. “What excites me most about working with students, specifically at SJSU, is their diverse academic backgrounds,” Babalola said. “Whether they are studying business, healthcare, education, or engineering, they will all encounter AI in their future careers. This program equips them with both the technical literacy and ethical framework to be thoughtful stewards of AI technology. Being in Silicon Valley, our students are uniquely positioned to influence how AI shapes society, and I’m thrilled to help prepare them for that responsibility.”

SJSU undergraduate students from any discipline who are interested in enrolling in the iSchool’s new certificate program are encouraged to review the course descriptions in the SJSU catalog and fill out the interest form to receive updates and planning resources.