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October 28, 2026
Written by Luka Shvelidze

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing fields ranging from software development to finance, healthcare, and business. At Weber State University, a new student organization  wants to provide students across all disciplines with the opportunity to understand and actually use AI.

The Applied AI Lab is built on a simple idea: students shouldn’t need to be computer science majors to explore how AI applies to their studies and future careers.

“No CS degree required. No experience needed. Just curiosity,” co-founder Adam Yeates wrote when announcing the lab on LinkedIn.

“AI is the means to the end, not the end itself,” co-founder Kylar Vierra said.

Learning by Building

“Learning by building”is the philosophy that shapes how the lab approaches AI education. Instead of requiring students to master every technical building block before creating something, students can begin with a problem, use AI to help develop a solution, and then learn by examining the strengths and weaknesses of that solution.

In the future, the founders plan for members to tackle real problems submitted by businesses and other organizations. In fact, they are developing a platform where organizations could provide projects for students to work on. Students could develop solutions, receive feedback, and potentially connect directly with organizations interested in their work.

“Giving people practical experience who have no work experience, or are 18 and coming in with completely fresh eyes, they can start working with AI on these real applications without having to be in a master’s program,” Vierra said.

AI for All Majors

The Applied AI Lab has a distinct focus on interdisciplinary work.

An environmental science student, for example, could work on a problem involving greenhouse emissions. An art student with no coding background could use AI tools to help build a personal portfolio website. A psychology student could investigate how people interact with AI systems.

“Having that on their résumé would be extremely beneficial,” Yeates said, particularly because students across majors can gain “a deeper understanding of knowing how to use AI for what they may go into.”

The Applied AI Lab has already attracted interest from students outside computer science, including psychology and environmental science students.

If you are interested in joining the Applied AI Lab or connecting with its leadership, then please fill out the .