AI developers attend an exchange conference in the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. [Photo/WeChat account: hellosmu]

Shanghai Maritime University plans to enroll artificial intelligence (AI) undergraduates starting in 2020, the university's admission office announced on March 26.

The university was recently approved by the Ministry of Education to begin offering four-year undergraduate AI program.

According to the university's enrollment plan, students would study computer science in their first year, and those who excel will be eligible to enroll in AI majors in their second year.

The AI curriculum involves mathematics, big data, control theory, computer science, machine learning and deep learning.

The AI program of Shanghai Maritime University features intelligent logistics, shipping information processing, and marine internet of things technology. It aims to cultivate AI professionals who can apply their expertise to solve technical issues in the shipping and marine industries.

Universities in China are encouraged to train AI personnel if they have expertise in the field, as the country is striving to develop the AI industry.

The Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, where Shanghai Maritime University is located, has rolled out a series of supporting policies to accelerate the integration of AI technology with emerging industries and welcome global developers to pilot their latest AI technology.