Comparing the requirements for both (CS29 = AI major, CS26 = general CS major at UCSD):
The differences are in upper level CS courses, mainly in terms of how restricted electives are arranged, plus a required specific AI course and ethics course for AI majors.
Fall 2025 Undergraduate Course Updates | Computer Science does not indicate whether the AI-focused CSE courses give enrollment priority to the AI majors over other CSE majors.