FOCUS ON FACULTY: MSE-AI Online Program Director Chris Callison-Burch
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, we were joined by Professor Chris Callison-Burch for a webinar as part of our Focus on Faculty webinar series. The Focus on Faculty series was designed to offer prospective students opportunities to hear directly from members of our world-class faculty while gaining valuable insights into our online graduate programs.
Dr. Chris Callison-Burch serves as Program Director for the online Master of Science in Engineering in Artificial Intelligence (MSE-AI Online) degree and is a Professor in Penn Engineering’s Department of Computer and Information Science. An internationally recognized leader in natural language processing and AI research, Professor Callison-Burch brings both deep technical expertise and a passion for teaching to the program.
The MSE-AI Online program is designed for students ready to join and shape the AI revolution. This degree equips engineers with advanced technical skills in classical AI, machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI, deep learning, and GPU programming, alongside a strong ethical framework for responsible innovation.
During the webinar, Professor Callison-Burch introduced participants to the vision behind the MSE-AI Online degree and walked through the program’s foundational curriculum, faculty expertise, and career outcomes. He emphasized the unprecedented growth of artificial intelligence and the importance of equipping engineers not just to use AI tools, but to understand and build them.
“AI is on this amazing growth path,” he shared. “I think a lot of people are worried about the prospect of AI taking their jobs. Here, our goal is to train you so that you understand AI and can apply it effectively — so your career can revolve around it.”
Attendees also learned about the online learning experience, including the program’s flexible asynchronous format and the opportunities for live engagement. While there are no required synchronous course sessions, students have multiple ways to connect with faculty and peers in real time.
“One of my favorite times of the week is the office hour that I hold with students in my class,” Professor Callison-Burch noted. “It tends to be a really great discussion where we cover everything from topics in the lecture to AI in the news, to career advice. It’s really engaging and lively, and I take a lot of joy in that hour I get to spend with folks.”
The webinar also featured insights from the Penn Engineering Online Admissions Team, who shared best practices for crafting a strong MSE-AI Online application. Participants received guidance on preparing application materials, highlighting relevant technical experience, and demonstrating readiness for the program’s rigorous coursework. Additional topics included tuition, financial aid, and important deadlines, followed by a live Q&A session with Professor Callison-Burch and the admissions team.
As AI continues to reshape industries across the globe, the MSE-AI Online program stands at the forefront of graduate engineering education—combining Ivy League excellence, technical depth, and flexible delivery to prepare engineers for leadership in an AI-driven world.
Missed the webinar? We invite you to explore the MSE-AI Online degree program and connect with our admissions team to learn how you can become part of the next generation of AI innovators.
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