SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Syracuse University is expanding its artificial intelligence curriculum with four specialty courses aimed at equipping students with skills in generative AI and digital media.
The classes available to all Syracuse students starting in spring 2026 include Future Cinema: Generative AI Filmmaking (CIN 510) from the Visual Communications Department, Topics in Advanced Media Management (MMI 400/680) and Trendspotting in Digital Media (MMI 634) from Advanced Media Management, and Digital and Social Media Innovation for Public Relations (PRL 320/620) from the Public Relations Department.
The courses will focus on AI tools for filmmaking, generative AI and synthetic media, emerging technologies in digital media, and AI applications for social media and public relations.
Some students remain hesitant about how quickly AI has advanced. Newhouse student Luke Burgess expressed skepticism about the new offerings.
“I see a world where it could be productive, but I feel like there is still a lot of value in learning those more classical techniques, and it’s almost reactionary for the university to be jumping into these new topics,” Burgess said.
Milton Santiago, assistant professor of visual communications who will teach the generative AI filmmaking course, said the classes take a balanced approach to understanding AI tools.
“We take a very holistic look at the state of the tools, what works really well and what works really, really poorly, and really what the role of the human creator is in the context of having generative AI tools,” Santiago said.
Santiago pointed to the rapid advancement of AI technology as a reason students need these skills now.
“Just tracking back to two years, we are going from really goofy videos to models that are professional-level fakes,” Santiago said. “Audiences and their appetites are going to shift as a result of these new tools. We can see new genres being born and new storytelling.”
School of Information Studies student Griffin Fellows welcomes the expansion of AI courses.
“I think it’s a really cool idea to introduce that stuff because AI is going to be part of our future no matter what, whether we like it or not,” Fellows said.
Santiago, who has more than 15 years of experience as a director of photography on feature films and documentaries, is a member of the Society of Camera Operators and a former recipient of an Academy of Television Arts and Sciences apprenticeship in cinematography.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: NEW GENERATIVE AI CLASSES
Jocelyn Mejia: The student enrollment cart has officially dropped. In the midst of students enrolling, Newhouse student Luke Burgess is doubtful of the new AI classes being offered.
Luke Burgess, Newhouse student: “Initially I’m a little skeptical because I worry about the long-term profitability of AI.”
Jocelyn Mejia: While some students may have some doubts, Milton Santiago, professor of AI filmmaking, reassures students of the core values of the class.
Milton Santiago, assistant professor of visual communications: “We take a very holistic look at the state of the tools, what works really well and what works really, really poorly, and really what the role of the human creator is in the context of having generative AI tools.”
Jocelyn Mejia: Students like Griffin Fellows of the iSchool are looking forward to the new array of classes.
Griffin Fellows, School of Information Studies student: “I think it’s a really cool idea to introduce that stuff because AI is going to be part of our future no matter what, whether we like it or not.”
Jocelyn Mejia: There will now be four generative AI classes available to all Syracuse students. Jocelyn Mejia, NCC News.