Strategies for Integrating Artificial Intelligence Technologies into the Mining Curriculum

Abstract

The mining industry faces new challenges to become more efficient. The ongoing development of AI technologies is not unrelated to this industry. From an educational point of view, it will be necessary to prepare new students who will form, in the short and medium term, work teams in mining operations. In this regard, the role of the university becomes indispensable, given that it must update its curriculum in accordance with industry requirements. This paper presents a preliminary strategy for implementing AI technologies in the curriculum of a mining engineer. The methodology used consisted of identifying stakeholders, forming an internal curriculum committee for the program and an external one (professionals from the sector), and gathering information on the current and future needs of the mining industry. Information was gathered on courses offered by mining schools at prestigious universities. The content was compared, and a preliminary list of courses that should incorporate AI was compiled. Finally, a preliminary budget for implementation was prepared. The program's strengths and weaknesses were also identified. Strengths include ABET accreditation, a continuous improvement plan, and existing IT infrastructure. One of the major weaknesses is the small number of full-time professors and their age range.