For decades, we have used computers to make important decisions in every arena, from business down to our personal lives. Artificial intelligence is the next evolution in computer-based decision-making. Combined with data science, which is the art of processing, extracting, and analyzing data, AI stands to hold a huge influence over our future.

You stand at the cusp of that technological wave. By completing an artificial intelligence and data science course, you develop dual capabilities that put you in the perfect position to enjoy a superb career.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an AI and Data Science Course

You need to know what you’re letting yourself in for before choosing a data science and artificial intelligence course. After all, the course you choose (and its quality) will impact your career prospects. Consider these six factors when making your choice.

1 – Course Content

Both data science and AI are expansive fields that contain a lot of categories and specializations. So, the question you need to ask is does the course cover what I need to know to get the job I want? If it doesn’t, you end up dedicating months (or even years) of your life to a course that brings you no closer to your goals.

2 – Course Duration and Flexibility

Not every student has the luxury of being able to commit full-time to an AI and data science course. Some have work, families, and other commitments to maintain. Ideally, your course should be of an appropriate length for your needs, in addition to offering the flexibility you need to fit your studies around the rest of your life.

3 – Instructor Expertise and Experience

Though data science has been around for decades, AI is still a somewhat nascent field, at least in terms of its modern form. You want to see that your course is created and overseen by people who know what they’re talking about. Do they have direct industry experience? Are their qualifications up to standard? What does your instructor have that makes taking their AI and data science course worthwhile?

4 – Course Fees and Return on Investment

A career in data science is usually strong enough to offer a good return on investment, with European data scientists pulling in an average of €60,815 per year. Throw AI into the mix and you have extra skills that could easily lead you toward six figures. Still, the cost of the course plays a role in your decision, with some courses costing five figures themselves.

5 – Online vs. Offline Courses

Picking between online and offline courses is like playing an arcade game with a guaranteed prize – there’s no way to lose. Your only consideration is what works best for you. Offline courses are great for self-motivated learners who need flexibility. Online courses put you in a classroom environment so you have direct contact with instructors and peers.

6 – Certification and Accreditation

When you finally start applying for jobs, the first thing your potential employer will ask is “Where did this person study their artificial intelligence and data science course?” The answer to that question will impact their decision, meaning your course provider needs to have a solid enough reputation to make their certifications and accreditations worth having.

Top AI and Data Science Courses

There is a metaphorical river of courses, both online and off, that can teach you about artificial intelligence and data science. Here are four of the best.

Course 1 – AI For Business Specialization (University of Pennsylvania via Coursera)

AI, Big Data, and the core concepts behind machine learning combine to create this AI and data science course. Beyond teaching you how to apply these computing concepts in a business setting, AI For Business Specialization digs into the ethics of applying AI fairly inside a business and how these evolving technologies will affect the people you work with, for, and manage.

Key Features

  • Direct exposure to industry-hardened professionals who apply the skills you’re learning
  • Includes peer-reviewed assessments designed to test your knowledge
  • A 100% online course that offers complete flexibility in how you schedule your learning
  • No experience in data science or AI required to get started

Pros and Cons

For somebody new to the concepts of AI and data science, this is the perfect course because it starts you out at the beginner level and builds you up from there. It’s flexible, too, with the course providers recommending two hours of learning per week to complete the four-month course. However, the course carries no university credit, so those using it to supplement their existing studies have to make do with the certificate and nothing more.

Course 2 – Machine Learning (Udacity)

Those looking for a budget-conscious artificial intelligence and data science course can rely on Udacity to provide its Machine Learning course at no charge. You’ll need a solid understanding of concepts like linear algebra and probability theory, making this course unsuitable for beginners. But assuming you come prepared, you’ll learn about the main approaches in machine learning (supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning) in a self-paced online environment.

Key Features

  • Takes approximately four months to complete, though you can finish at your own pace
  • Created and taught by industry experts
  • Ideal for building foundational knowledge for future courses related to data science and AI
  • Teaches multiple approaches to machine learning

Pros and Cons

The price is certainly right with this course, as you’re getting something very useful at no cost. It’s also an online version of class CS7641, which is taught at Georgia Tech, so the course has real-world credentials behind it. Sadly, its college-based origins don’t mean that you’ll get college credit with the course. It’s also pretty limited to specific forms of machine learning, making it great as an introduction to basic concepts but perhaps not as useful to people who already have some understanding of data science and AI.

Course 3 – Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) (IBM via Coursera)

Quick, intense, and practical are just some of the words we can use to describe this data science and artificial intelligence course. IBM’s experts are clearly masters in the field (they wouldn’t be working for IBM if they weren’t) and they’ve distilled some of the best of their knowledge into this nine-hour completely online course. You’ll learn about the applications of AI in real-world scenarios, start getting to grips with concepts like machine learning and neural networks, and receive direct career advice from your instructors.

Key Features

  • Offered by a Fortune 50 company that specializes in AI and data science
  • Free enrollment for a self-paced course
  • You get direct career advice from people who work in the field
  • The course offers a shareable online certificate that looks great on your LinkedIn profile

Pros and Cons

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first – this is an AI and data science course for those who want to learn the fundamentals before building their knowledge in other ways. But it’s the connections that come with the course that make this such a strong contender. Having people from IBM, who already work in the field that interests you, to advise you is great for people who need a route into AI and data science.

Course 4 – Master in Applied Data Science & AI (OPIT)

A Master’s degree allows you to dig deeper into the concepts of AI and data science, with OPIT’s degree being perfect for those in the postgraduate phase who’ve balked at the cost of similar programs. This AI and data science course requires an extensive time investment of between 12 and 18 months, though it’s fully online so you can learn at your own pace. It also counts toward college credits, offering 90 ECTS upon completion.

Key Features

  • Completely online so it offers flexibility in terms of how and where you learn
  • Provided by an EU-accredited institution to ensure the certification you receive is actually useful
  • You get 24/7 access to tutors who can advise you when you’re stuck
  • Progressive assessments are favored over “final exams” and other high-pressure tests

Pros and Cons

This artificial intelligence and data science course is the most expensive on the list, clocking in at €6,500 (or €4,950 for early birds). It also requires a BSc in an appropriate field, such as computer science, to start studying. But that investment in both time and money leads you to a course that has full accreditation under the European Qualification Framework and gives you a well-rounded set of skills that set you up for C-Suite positions in your future career.

Tips for Success in AI and Data Science Courses

An AI and data science course could offer the best tutelage in the world but it won’t mean a thing if you’re not applying yourself as a student. These quick tips help you take what you learn further:

  • Set clear goals for what you hope to achieve, both within the course and after completion, so you always have a path to follow.
  • Don’t take “this course requires x number of hours per week” as given. Practice and set time to study whenever you can to build on your knowledge.
  • As valuable as your peers and instructors may be, they’re not the only resources available to you. Engage with online communities and forums to stay up to date on trends in AI and data science.
  • Some courses offer direct examples of how what you learn applies to the real world. Others don’t, so you have to seek out (and apply) your learning to real projects yourself.
  • Think about what AI looked like five years ago compared to today. This is a continuously evolving field (the same goes for data science), so continued learning is a must once you’ve completed your course.

Combine AI and Data Sciences for Career Advancement

Earlier, we stated that data scientists earn an average of €60,815 per year in Europe. That’s a starting point. Mastery in the fields of AI and data science (which starts with an artificial intelligence and data science course) puts you in a position to work at the C-Suite level in many of today’s businesses. Investing in yourself now, when these fields are still in their growth phase, puts you in the perfect position to take advantage as we see both fields enjoy explosive growth in the future.

Related posts

The Value of Hackathons
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
Jan 5, 2026 6 min read

Bring talented tech experts together, set them a challenge, and give them a deadline. Then, let them loose and watch the magic happen. That, in a nutshell, is what hackathons are all about. They’re proven to be among the most productive tech events when it comes to solving problems and accelerating innovation.

What Is a Hackathon?

Put simply, a hackathon is a short-term event – often lasting just a couple of days, or sometimes even only a matter of hours – where tech experts come together to solve a specific problem or come up with ideas based on a central theme or topic. As an example, teams might be tasked with discovering a new way to use AI in marketing or to create an app aimed at improving student life.

The term combines the words “hack” and “marathon,” due to how participants (hackers or programmers) are encouraged to work around-the-clock to create a prototype, proof-of-concept, or new solution. It’s similar to how marathon runners are encouraged to keep running, putting their skills and endurance to the test in a race to the finish line.

The Benefits of Hackathons

Hackathons provide value both for the companies that organize them and the people who take part. Companies can use them to quickly discover new ideas or overcome challenges, for example, while participants can enjoy testing their skills, innovating, networking, and working either alone or as part of a larger team.

Benefits for Companies and Sponsors

Many of the world’s biggest brands have come to rely on hackathons as ways to drive innovation and uncover new products, services, and opportunities. Meta, for example, the brand behind Facebook, has organized dozens of hackathons, some of which have led to the development of well-known Facebook features, like the “Like” button. Here’s how hackathons help companies:

  • Accelerate Innovation: In fast-moving fields like technology, companies can’t always afford to spend months or years working on new products or features. They need to be able to solve problems quickly, and hackathons create the necessary conditions to deliver rapid success.
  • Employee Development: Leading companies like Meta have started to use annual hackathons as a way to not only test their workforce’s skills but to give employees opportunities to push themselves and broaden their skill sets.
  • Internal Networking: Hackathons also double up as networking events. They give employees from different teams, departments, or branches the chance to work with and learn from one another. This, in turn, can promote or reinforce team-oriented work cultures.
  • Talent Spotting: Talents sometimes go unnoticed, but hackathons give your workforce’s hidden gems a chance to shine. They’re terrific opportunities to see who your best problem solvers and most creative thinkers at.
  • Improving Reputation: Organizing regular hackathons helps set companies apart from their competitors, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and their willingness to embrace new ideas. If you want your brand to seem more forward-thinking and innovative, embracing hackathons is a great way to go about it.

Benefits for Participants

The hackers, developers, students, engineers, and other people who take part in hackathons arguably enjoy even bigger and better benefits than the businesses behind them. These events are often invaluable when it comes to upskilling, networking, and growing, both personally and professionally. Here are some of the main benefits for participants, explained:

  • Learning and Improvement: Hackathons are golden opportunities for participants to gain knowledge and skills. They essentially force people to work together, sharing ideas, contributing to the collective, and pushing their own boundaries in pursuit of a common goal.
  • Networking: While some hackathons are purely internal, others bring together different teams or groups of people from different schools, businesses, and places around the world. This can be wonderful for forming connections with like-minded individuals.
  • Sense of Pride: Everyone feels a sense of pride after accomplishing a project or achieving a goal, but this often comes at the end of weeks or months of effort. With hackathons, participants can enjoy that same satisfying feeling after just a few hours or a couple of days of hard work.
  • Testing Oneself: A hackathon is an amazing chance to put one’s skills to the test and see what one is truly capable of when given a set goal to aim for and a deadline to meet. Many participants are surprised to see how well they respond to these conditions.
  • Boosting Skills: Hackathons provide the necessary conditions to hone and improve a range of core soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, organization, and punctuality. By the end, participants often emerge with more confidence in their abilities.

Hackathons at OPIT

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) understands the unique value of hackathons and has played its part in sponsoring these kinds of events in the past. OPIT was one of the sponsors behind ESCPHackathon 6, for example, which involved 120 students given AI-related tasks, with mentorship and guidance from senior professionals and developers from established brands along the way.

Marco Fediuc, one of the participants, summed up the mood in his comments:

“The hackathon was a truly rewarding experience. I had the pleasure of meeting OPIT classmates and staff and getting to know them better, the chance to collaborate with brilliant minds, and the opportunity to take part in an exciting and fun event.

“Participating turned out to be very useful because I had the chance to work in a fast-paced, competitive environment, and it taught me what it means to stay calm and perform under pressure… To prospective Computer Science students, should a similar opportunity arise, I can clearly say: Don’t underestimate yourselves!”

The new year will also see the arrival of OPIT Hackathon 2026, giving more students the chance to test their skills, broaden their networks, and enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that these events never fail to deliver. This event is scheduled to be held February 13-15, 2026, and is open to all OPIT Bachelor’s and Master’s students, along with recent graduates. Interested parties have until February 1 to register.

Read the article
OPIT’s First Career Fair
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
Jan 5, 2026 6 min read

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) recently held its first-ever career fair to showcase its wide array of career education options and services. Representatives from numerous high-profile international companies were in attendance, and students enjoyed unprecedented opportunities to connect with business leaders, expand their professional networks, and pave the way for success in their future careers.

Here’s a look back at the event and how it ties into OPIT’s diverse scope of career services.

Introducing OPIT

For those who aren’t yet familiar, OPIT is an EU-accredited Higher Education Institution, offering online degrees in technological fields such as computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital business. Aimed at making high-level tech education accessible to all, OPIT has assembled a stellar team of tutors and experts to train the tech leaders of tomorrow.

The First OPIT Career Fair

OPIT’s first career fair was held on November 19 and 20. And as with OPIT’s lectures, it was an exclusively online event, which ensured that every attendee had equal access to key lectures and information. Interested potential students from all over the world were able to enjoy the same great experience, demonstrating a core principle that OPIT has championed from the very start – the principles of accessibility and the power of virtual learning.

More than a dozen leading international companies took part in the event, with the full guest list including representatives from:

  • Deloitte
  • Dylog Hitech
  • EDIST Engineering Srl
  • Tinexta Cyber
  • Datapizza
  • RWS Group
  • WE GRELE FRANCE
  • Avatar Investments
  • Planet Farms
  • Coolshop
  • Hoist Finance Italia
  • Gruppo Buffetti S.p.A
  • Nesperia Group
  • Fusion AI Labs
  • Intesi Group
  • Reply
  • Mindsight Ventures

This was a fascinating mix of established enterprises and emerging players. Deloitte, for example, is one of the largest professional services networks in the world in terms of both revenue and number of employees. Mindsight Ventures, meanwhile, is a newer but rapidly emerging name in the fields of AI and business intelligence.

The Response

The first OPIT career fair was a success, with many students in attendance expressing their joy at being able to connect with such a strong lineup of prospective employers.

OPIT Founder and Director Riccardo Ocleppo had this to say:

“I often say internally that our connection with companies – through masterclasses, thesis and capstone projects, and career opportunities – is the ‘cherry on the cake’ of the OPIT experience!

“It’s also a core part of our mission: making higher education more practical, more connected, and more aligned with what happens in the real world.

“Our first Career Fair says a lot about our commitment to building an end-to-end learning and professional growth experience for our community of students.

“Thank you to the Student and Career Services team, and to Stefania Tabi for making this possible.”

Representatives from some of the companies that attended also shared positive impressions of the event. A representative from Nesperia Group, for example, said:

“Nesperia Group would like to thank OPIT for the warm welcome we received during the OPIT Career Day. We were pleased to be part of the event because we met many talented young professionals. Their curiosity and their professional attitude really impressed us, and it’s clear that OPIT is doing an excellent job supporting their growth. We really believe that events like these are important because they can create a strong connection between companies and future professionals.”

The Future

Given the enormous success of the first OPIT career fair, it’s highly likely that students will be able to enjoy more events like this in the years to come. OPIT is clearly committed to making the most of its strong business connections and remarkable network to provide opportunities for growth, development, and employment, bringing students and businesses together.

Future events will continue to allow students to connect with some of the biggest businesses in the world, along with emerging names in the most exciting and innovative tech fields. This should allow OPIT graduates to enter the working world with strong networks and firm connections already established. That, in turn, should make it easier for them to access and enjoy a wealth of beneficial professional opportunities.

Given that OPIT also has partnerships in place with numerous other leading organizations, like Hype, AWS, and Accenture, the number and variety of the companies potentially making appearances at career fairs in the future should no doubt increase dramatically.

Other Career Services at OPIT

The career fair is just one of many ways in which OPIT leverages its company connections and offers professional opportunities and career support to its students. Other key career services include:

  • Career Coaching: Students are able to schedule one-on-one sessions with their own mentors and career advisors. They can receive feedback on their resumes, practice and improve their interview skills, or work on clear action plans that align with their exact professional goals.
  • Resource Hub: The OPIT Resource Hub is jam-packed with helpful guides and other resources to help students plan out and take smart steps in their professional endeavors. With detailed insights and practical tips, it can help tech graduates get off to the best possible start.
  • Career Events: The career fair is only one of several planned career-related events organized by OPIT. Other events are planned to give students the chance to learn from and engage with industry experts and leading tech firms, with workshops, career skills days, and more.
  • Internships: OPIT continues to support students after graduation, offering internship opportunities with leading tech firms around the world. These internships are invaluable for gaining experience and forging connections, setting graduates up for future success.
  • Peer Mentoring: OPIT also offers a peer mentoring program in which existing students can team up with OPIT alumni to enjoy the benefits of their experience and unique insights.

These services – combined with the recent career day – clearly demonstrate OPIT’s commitment to not merely educating the tech leaders of the future, but also to supporting their personal and professional development beyond the field of education, making it easier for them to enter the working world with strong connections and unrivaled opportunities.

Read the article