When I graduated from UCSD in the 90’s with a degree in Intelligent Systems, Robotics, and Control, there weren’t many jobs in AI. Since this major was under the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, I did what anyone would do: I got a job as an electronics engineer. First, designing circuit boards, then, ASICs and semiconductors. In the 2000’s AI recruiters came calling, which made me revisit my education.

Here is a nice write-up about what Intelligent Systems, Robotics, and Control is all about at UCSD. When I went there, it was a small department and hardly any of the staff mentioned in the article were there. I do recall Dr. Sworder but the others are all new faces to me.