Chennai: New-age technology courses, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science programmes, have emerged as the top choice among students pursuing higher education in Tamil Nadu, educators said.

In recent years, colleges across major cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai have witnessed a significant rise in applications for AI and data science-related courses. Experts attribute this trend to high salary prospects, global job demand, industry-aligned curricula and strong career opportunities in emerging technologies.

Several institutions have introduced specialised programmes in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics to meet growing demand. However, educators also noted that traditional disciplines such as commerce, languages, economics and psychology continue to retain steady relevance.

Assistant Professor of a private college Nilofar said AI is transforming productivity and workplace efficiency rather than replacing human jobs.

“AI enables faster execution of tasks that would otherwise require multiple people. This is why demand for AI-skilled professionals and their salaries are significantly higher,” she said.

She, however, cautioned that students must not depend solely on technology tools. “Strong foundational knowledge is essential. It is wrong to assume that traditional disciplines are losing relevance. Physics, chemistry and mathematics form the backbone of AI. Mathematics, in particular, is fundamental,” she added.

Dean of A.M. Jain College Dr Ramya said students are increasingly opting for courses such as BSc Computer Science, AI, Commerce, Digital Marketing and Visual Communication.

She added that niche programmes like BA Defence and Strategic Studies and BSc Interior Design are also gaining attention, along with steady demand for public administration, psychology and economics.

“AI and data science have created new opportunities, but competition in these fields will intensify in the coming years,” she said.

Educators said students today are increasingly focused on job-oriented learning. Along with classroom education, practical exposure has become crucial, they added.

They stressed that multi-disciplinary knowledge is essential in the modern job market. Industries now prioritise skills, hands-on experience, internships, hackathons, coding competitions and live projects over theoretical knowledge alone, they said.