Becoming a successful entrepreneur is the dream for many aspiring inventors and creators. Maria Brilaki achieved that dream, thanks to the ability to remotely study for and achieve an MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence from the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT).

She recently spoke to BlueSky Thinking about her experience studying with OPIT and her resulting MedTech development. Her insights could help other budding entrepreneurs find the right educational pathway to success.

Quick Summary

• Maria Brilaki is a successful entrepreneur and MedTech developer.
• Learning with OPIT gave her the ability to utilize AI to create a medical device inspired by her diabetic daughter.
• OPIT’s remote courses meant she could learn and work simultaneously.
• The rigorous curriculum allowed her to develop her AI skills to the point where she could develop hardware.
• Maria now hopes to make the personalized MedTech device she has created commercially available.

Meet Maria Brilaki: MedTech Entrepreneur

Maria Brilaki has had a fascinating career, first training as a civil and environmental engineer, then launching an e-learning health platform: Fitness Reloaded. She’s also written a best-selling health book and was Senior Product Manager at Fiery, a digital front-end (DFE) server and workflow solutions provider.

While working at Fiery, Maria was the lead on many AI-powered products. However, she wanted to take things further. She wanted to get to the point where she could create with AI. That required some additional training and education. For this, she went to OPIT. OPIT’s MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence gave her the skills she needed to create a wearable, non-invasive device for measuring blood sugar levels.

She now hopes to launch this product as a solution to painful needles and other invasive treatments and monitoring associated with diabetes.

How Maria’s Invention Works

The device brings together Maria’s passions for engineering, AI, and wellness. However, the inspiration came directly from her daughter. A few years back, Maria’s daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Since then, she’s had to endure painful injections and pin-prick blood tests, plus the skin irritation associated with current continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology. Maria noted that many current CGM devices offer delayed readings that can pose a health risk.

Maria’s solution is based on optics and how light interacts with different compounds in the skin. The device is wearable and uses near-infrared (NIR) monitoring to assess glucose levels. There are no needles or under-skin sensors, removing the pain and irritation associated with CGM.

The creation of this advanced MedTech device occurred as part of Maria’s OPIT MSc course. The course culminates in a Capstone Project and Dissertation. Students get the chance to work on a real-life project or piece of research with industrial relevance. Students can also pursue internships with relevant organizations to complement their project work.

Maria chose to solve the problem of painful CGM. Her work included the development of the device, plus a careful study of 25 participants to understand the impact of the device.

Challenges on the Road to Success

As with any new technology, there were a few bumps in the road to success. Maria noted that the physics of the problem were very challenging. Everyone’s skin compounds are unique, making the creation of patterns for monitoring tricky. She circumvented this problem by calibrating the device to the individual.

Maria also observed that being a female entrepreneur has its own challenges. Very few women-founded startups receive the same level of funding compared to their male-run counterparts. However, she said that having a working prototype, thanks to her OPIT studies, has changed conversations. In Maria’s words, “Hardware backed by data commands attention.”

What’s Next for Maria?

Maria’s ultimate goal is to remove the need for needles in blood sugar monitoring. If her device becomes widely adopted, it could take the pain out of diabetic monitoring and treatment, improving the quality of life for patients all over the world.

Without the opportunity to learn remotely with OPIT, she would never have had the chance to apply machine learning on a person-by-person basis or create a piece of AI-powered hardware from scratch. She’s now working on commercializing the prototype and gaining FDA approval for her device.

Key Takeaways

• Entrepreneurs are more likely to achieve success with a working prototype of their product or service.
• Remote education in tech-specific subjects can empower entrepreneurs to do more.
• OPIT offers flexible, remote education for professionals and entrepreneurs wanting to expand their skillset.

Discover Your Own Pathway to Successful Entrepreneurship

Maria’s advice to other budding entrepreneurs is, “…focus on solving meaningful problems. The bigger the problem, the more it is worth putting your attention to. Don’t be afraid by the size of it; instead, focus on what it would mean if you were to solve it.”

You can discover the program that led to Maria’s success at OPIT. The MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence is a 1.5 to two-year course that you complete remotely. It’s a fully accredited level 7 course and offers opportunities to create a meaningful project and connect with businesses across multiple industries, just like Maria.

If you want more details on this program, get the brochure and discover how easy it is to get started with OPIT.

FAQ

How can an AI degree help me become a successful entrepreneur?

An MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence can give you the skills you need to create something unique and tailored to solving a specific problem. You’ll learn about ethics and AI, programming, data analytics, and natural language processing, which are all skills you can combine to create something purposeful and commercially viable.

Can I earn a Master’s degree in AI online?

Yes, with OPIT, you can complete an MSc in AI in as little as 1.5 years, and the course is entirely remote. The final project may involve an internship with a research lab or company, or you may decide to focus entirely on the Capstone Project and Dissertation without pursuing an internship.

How long does it take to remotely complete an MSc in Artificial Intelligence?

The course may take up to two years to complete and is classed as a full-time course. However, many learners complete the course in as little as 1.5 years and manage to balance their studies with existing commitments and jobs.

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) has swiftly cemented its reputation as one of the best places to study emerging technologies, like AI. Many students speak highly of the institute’s forward-thinking approach to education and a clear focus on hands-on, practical knowledge. One of those students, Cristobal Bragagnolo, recently sat down for a video interview to explain what made him choose OPIT over other options.

Quick Summary

• Cristobal Bragagnolo, an OPIT master’s student, was interviewed on why he chose OPIT.
• Cristobal cited numerous advantages, like OPIT’s accessibility and the quality of the course.
• He also spoke of the unique freedom and flexibility that only come with online learning.
• Cristobal recommends prospective applicants consider OPIT’s distinct qualities when choosing their next educational steps.

The Interview

This interview was organized as a way for prospective OPIT students to learn more about what makes studying with OPIT so special, different, and beneficial in ways they might not have expected. The interviewer was Santiago Fonesca, OPIT’s International Student Recruiter, who spoke with Cristobal, a student of the Master’s Degree (MSc) in Responsible Artificial Intelligence.

Why Cristobal Chose OPIT

One of the first questions Cristobal was asked was why he chose OPIT over other institutions.

Having previously studied biology at the University of Granada in southern Spain, he was clearly familiar with the world of conventional higher education and could have continued his studies at one of the many highly-rated universities in his own home nation or elsewhere in Europe. Despite this, he chose OPIT, and there were several big reasons behind that decision.

Accessibility

Typically, at a conventional college or university, applicants to study a course related to responsible AI would usually have some sort of background in computer science. Indeed, it would be quite difficult to get a place on a course of this kind without either a relevant bachelor’s degree or extensive working experience with technology or AI in particular.

Cristobal knew this, explaining that “traditional universities’ programs for artificial intelligence” were only open to the likes of mathematicians or physicists. Upon finding OPIT, he realized how different it was. OPIT didn’t turn him away based on his previous, seemingly unrelated resume. Instead, he was invited to an interview and allowed to study a short “pre-course” before enrolling in the master’s program.

For Cristobal, this was a breath of fresh air. He describes the pre-course as “amazing,” adding that it felt like a “small degree in computer science” that gave him the foundational skills and knowledge he needed to progress into the program he wanted. He was immediately impressed with how OPIT opened doors for people like him, while other, more conventional universities kept those doors firmly closed.

Depth

Cristobal was also asked about misconceptions people might have about the idea of studying online. He noted that there are still some outdated views that some people hold when it comes to the idea of conventional versus online education, while also acknowledging that there are some small online courses out there that simply don’t have the same depth as a real university-level course.

But he added that, fortunately, that’s not the case at OPIT. As someone who comes from a highly academic background, Cristobal was pleased to see that OPIT courses are fully accredited and enjoy international recognition. He stated in no uncertain terms that OPIT’s MSc in Responsible AI is a genuine Master of Science degree that demands a strong level of commitment and hard work to attain.

He added that he was impressed by the depth of knowledge and the range of topics covered in the course, and appreciated how OPIT’s instructors and lecturers focus on hands-on knowledge and real-world skills, not just reading books and memorizing facts and figures.

Flexibility

Cristobal also touched on the flexibility of studying with OPIT and studying online in general. He noted that OPIT courses offer a level of freedom that simply cannot be found in conventional education. They give students the ability to balance their work life and personal life, or even – like Cristobal himself – the chance to work a full or part-time job in conjunction with their studies.

He explained how he currently works at least 30 hours per week and has other day-to-day tasks that need completing. For him, and people like him, a conventional college or university would not suffice, as he would have to adapt to the institution’s schedule, rules, and fixed geographic location. But by studying online, he’s free to live the life he wants at a pace that’s right for him.

Cristobal also noted that the flexibility of online learning helps him lead a happier and healthier life. It gives him the time he needs to go to the gym, for example, or step outside and get some fresh air when he feels the need. It frees him to cook good meals for himself.

A Typical Week for an OPIT Student

Asked about a typical week in his life, Cristobal explains how, as previously mentioned, he strikes a balance between work and study, doing 30 hours at his job in AI-related work while also studying for his master’s at other times of day or in the evenings. The fact that OPIT’s lectures are pre-recorded and available on-demand allows him to be able to do this with ease.

He adds that he finds time each day for other activities, like taking a walk, and can adjust his schedule to suit his needs and mood each week. Some weeks, he might focus a little harder on studying, for example, spending more time watching lectures live and making notes as he follows. Other times, he may rely more on OPIT’s resource bank to catch or revise certain topics.

He concludes that studying at OPIT has effectively allowed him to have a healthy and balanced life, with equal time for work, study, and personal fulfillment. He compares it to studying for his degree in Granada and notes how he found it much more stressful to keep up with the rigorous routine and fixed constraints of a conventional university.

A Supportive Community

Cristobal also found time during the interview to speak favorably of the OPIT community and support network, bringing up the following key points:

• Sense of Community: Cristobal spoke about how he felt like part of the OPIT community from minute one. He highlighted the availability and friendliness of faculty members and how they were always open and ready to respond to messages or answer questions at almost any time.
• A Global Student Body: Cristobal also spoke favorably of the international quality of the OPIT community, noting how he has professors from different parts of the world, like the United States, Italy, and Germany, and co-learners from places in Africa and Asia.
• Highly Qualified Staff: He also touched on the experience and accomplished nature of the OPIT staff, noting how these aren’t just lecturers or lifelong teachers, but professionals who have proven their skills in real technology businesses.

Summing Up: Cristobal’s Advice for Applicants

Moving forward, Cristobal plans to apply his newfound knowledge in responsible AI to the biological field. He was also asked what he’d tell those who are considering or hesitating about applying to OPIT in the coming weeks and months, noting that he’d encourage them to do their research and weigh up the pros and cons to decide if it’s the right move for them.

Cristobal went on to note that, for many people, OPIT is definitely “one of the best options out there,” due to its peerless levels of accessibility and flexibility. He also noted how the university has a fair and flexible payment system to support different budgets and is highly welcoming even for those who may not already have STEM degrees or experience.

If you feel like OPIT could be the right fit for you, learn more about the courses available on the OPIT website or submit your application today.

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) has leveled up its educational offering, adding a professional doctorate program to its curated line-up of courses. The program – Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence – focuses on advanced AI research and the ways in which this exciting technology can be used to shape business strategies and solve organizational problems.

Read on to learn all about it.

Quick Summary

• OPIT has launched a new program: Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence.
• It lasts for six terms, usually spread out over three years of study (a six-year plan is also available).
• It teaches students the skills they need to lead AI-enabled projects, strategies, and research.
• Career pathways include AI business strategy, digital transformation, and AI governance.
• Applicants should hold an MSc (ideally in STEM) and B2 level English proficiency.

Introducing the New Doctorate Program at OPIT

Since its inception, OPIT has offered a small, selective array of courses, giving students a choice of study paths without overwhelming them with too many options. It has focused primarily on bachelor’s and master’s degrees, while also offering an introductory pre-bachelor’s (foundation) program for those taking their first steps towards higher education.

Now, OPIT is offering a whole new level of study with its Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence. It is available to complete on a full-time or part-time basis, and is accessible entirely online. And like other OPIT courses, this program is aimed at the AI leaders, strategists, and project managers of tomorrow, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

It’s the highest-level program available at OPIT today, for students seeking to achieve the highest standards of knowledge and expertise in their fields. It may not be for everyone, with some students simply settling at bachelor’s or master’s levels. But for those wanting to take that extra step towards excellence, this is the course to choose.

An Overview of OPIT’s Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence

Here’s a closer look at what this course involves:

• Duration: Six terms, spread out over three years (full-time) or six years (part-time).
• Content: Covers foundational and applied topics in AI and technology management. Also involves students creating their own research proposals and carrying out their own investigations, culminating in a doctoral dissertation and defense.
• Focus: Empowering students with the advanced AI research knowledge they need to conduct and even lead AI-enabled projects and strategies in their future careers.
• Format: Delivered entirely online, allowing students to study remotely and at their own pace.
• Assessment: Students will be assessed by completing a capstone research project and a doctoral dissertation, culminating in a defense of their dissertation before a panel of experts.

What the Program Covers

OPIT’s Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to apply AI technologies strategically across numerous industries and applications. Like other OPIT programs, it combines academic rigor with real-world applications and focuses not merely on knowledge but on how to put that knowledge to use.

The program covers three main areas of research:

• Core AI Technologies: Including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision
• Industry Applications: Ways in which AI is and can be used in fields like finance, healthcare, smart cities, environment, and manufacturing
• Responsible and Applied AI: The ethics behind AI, the fundamentals of human-centric AI, and a specialist focus on sectors like AutoML and MLOps

During year one (of the full-time course), students will complete core modules like AI Applications in Industry. Moving into year two, they’ll focus on building their own research proposal and carrying out an initial investigation. Year three will focus exclusively on the capstone research project, dissertation, and an oral defense of said dissertation before the OPIT Examining Committee.

Who This Doctorate Is For

As a Doctorate program, this course is, naturally, not for everyone, but is instead aimed at a select group of applicants who already have a certain amount of expertise and/or experience in the field. Ideal applicants include:

• Mid-to-senior professionals or executives seeking to pursue AI-powered digital transformation of their organizations or future employers
• Domain experts who have already studied and worked with AI extensively, but want to deepen their knowledge and understanding even further
• Applied researchers and innovators seeking to bolster the fundamental research and practical skills needed for future projects
• Aspiring thought leaders and responsible professionals who are committed to discovering and deploying more responsible, ethical uses of AI
• Students who have already completed their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in technology, but still want to continue their educational journeys before moving into the working world

Benefits and Value of Studying a Professional Doctorate at OPIT

Many universities around the world are starting to offer professional doctorate programs in AI and other emerging technologies, but studying at OPIT offers unique advantages that no other school can provide:

• Online Learning: OPIT delivers all its courses, including this program, online. Students can tune into live lectures and access an array of pre-recorded learning materials on demand, allowing them to study at their own pace and from any location.
• Practical Applications: Conventional studies still focus heavily on learning statistics and memorizing information. OPIT takes a different approach, focusing much more on the practical applications of knowledge to give students real-world value.
• Strong Support: All OPIT students, at all levels of education, are part of the OPIT community. They can reach out to their tutors or fellow students at almost any time of the week for advice and assistance, as well as use the institute’s peerless array of support tools.
• Industry Leaders: Doctorate students at OPIT will enjoy learning from some of the world’s leading experts in AI, like Pierluigi Casale, AI Area Chair at OPIT, or Filip Bialy, Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University, with over 15 years of web development and AI ethics experience.
• Career Pathways: Those who succeed in this course will find numerous high-salary professional pathways open up to them. Graduates can move into jobs such as C-level executives, AI business strategists, AI consultants, policy advisors, or applied AI researchers.

Entry Requirements and Fees

Given that this is a Doctorate program, applicants will need to meet certain criteria in terms of their professional and educational background. At the same time, OPIT aims to make all of its courses as accessible as possible, so even if you don’t necessarily have a relevant master’s degree in a STEM field, there are still alternative pathways for admission into this course.

Applicants should possess:

• An MSc degree in a STEM discipline or a non-STEM MSc, but with five years of relevant work experience.
• English proficiency at level B2 or better.
• A statement of purpose outlining their intended research topic.
• A provisional supervisory agreement form.

Regarding fees, the total cost for this course is €24,000, with term fees of €4,000 per term for full-time students and €2,000 per term for part-time students. These fees are all-inclusive, with no hidden charges or optional extras to worry about. Funding opportunities are available via employer sponsorships or professional development funds.

Level Up Your Education at OPIT

So, whether you’re a seasoned tech professional looking to make better use of AI in your business, a researcher eager to uncover the next exciting applications of AI technologies, or a tech-enthusiast student who has completed their master’s and wants to take the next step, the Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence might be the perfect course for you. Browse the OPIT website to learn more or apply now.

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances and becomes increasingly important in many industries, students are eager to learn all they can about this exciting, emerging technology. The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) can help facilitate that process, providing a range of AI-oriented bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, such as the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI.

Introducing the OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI

The OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI is a master’s degree program aimed at graduate students seeking careers in management and tech departments of large or growing businesses. It empowers students with practical skills and knowledge related to its two titular concepts: data science and artificial intelligence technologies.

As with other OPIT courses, this MSc is delivered entirely online, making it a flexible and accessible choice for students from around the world. It can appeal to recent bachelor’s degree graduates or seasoned professionals looking to upskill, broaden their knowledge, or even pursue a possible career transition into a new field.

Once students complete the course, which culminates with a capstone project, they will find a wide range of high-demand, high-salary professional opportunities open up to them. Potential careers utilizing this knowledge include data and AI management, strategic consultancy, and product management. Entrepreneurial students may even elect to start their own companies post-graduation.

Here are the key facts that interested applicants may want to know about this course:

• Duration: Either three or four terms, typically over the course of one year.
• Content: Professional-level instruction on subjects related to the fields of data science and AI, including applied machine learning, big data, and the ethics and regulations of artificial intelligence.
• Focus: Equipping graduates with practical skills and hands-on knowledge to thrive at the intersection of management and tech departments within organizations.
• Format: Online, with a mix of pre-recorded content that students can access on demand, along with a schedule of live lectures.
• Assessment: Progressive assessment, which measures students’ understanding as they proceed through the course, rather than relying solely on tests or final exams. Students will also complete a capstone project.

What You’ll Learn

Students of the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI will begin in the first term by studying foundational applicable courses related to data science and AI. Core topics covered include Python programming for data science, applied artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing infrastructure. Students will also gain core project management skills, which may prove vital for their future careers.

In the second term, students will deepen their knowledge with an array of mandatory and elective courses. Mandatory topics covered include business communication skills, research methods, and the ethics and regulation of artificial intelligence. When it comes to electives, students will be able to look into how AI and data science can be used in specific industries, like healthcare, fintech, and public policy.

In the final term, students will put the knowledge they have gained to the test. They will complete their MSc thesis, including a capstone project and dissertation. They’ll work alongside an OPIT supervisor to develop and realize a project proposal, demonstrating their mastery of the topics covered in the preceding terms.

Who It’s For

The MSc in Applied Data Science and AI program can appeal to recent graduates, seasoned professionals considering a career change, or anyone else with a passion for technology or a specific interest in AI and data science. It’s an ideal choice for those who seek to gain a broad level of knowledge of both data and emerging AI technologies, rather than specializing in either one field or the other.

Those who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field will have the best chance of success in this course. As such, it’s well-suited to those who have just graduated from courses like OPIT’s BSc in Digital Business or BSc in Computer Science. Graduates will be able to take their pick from an array of excellent career roles, like Business Intelligence Manager or Chief Data Officer.

The Value of the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI Course at OPIT

Many colleges and universities are starting to offer an increasing variety of degrees and master’s programs related to AI and data science. But OPIT offers a truly unique learning experience that students can’t find anywhere else. Some of the benefits of enrolling in this course include:

• Convenient Online Instruction: The OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI is provided entirely online, which means that students don’t need to worry about traveling to a specific location and the costs and complications that come with that. They can simply access their learning materials on-demand, from the comfort of home. It’s one of the most flexible, efficient ways to learn.
• Valuable, Practical Instruction: Students have long complained about conventional educational systems that demand too much time and focus on knowledge that may have academic value but little practical usage. OPIT takes a different view. Its courses – including the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI – include a strong emphasis on skills and knowledge you can truly use for years to come.
• Leading Lecturers and Strong Support: At OPIT, students have the chance to study and learn from some of the world’s best researchers and tech professionals. Some of the leading lecturers on this course include AI entrepreneur Moez Ali and former parliamentary innovation officer Pierluigi Casale. Students can contact lecturers when they feel the need and participate in communal groups to help and learn from one another, too.

Entry Requirements and Fees

OPIT aims to make high-level technological education as accessible and affordable as possible, inviting students from different backgrounds and walks of life to enroll and take part. The entry requirements are relatively relaxed. Applicants should have a passion for technology and a strong eagerness to learn about data science and the applications of AI, along with:

• A BSc degree, ideally in STEM, but not necessary
• An English language proficiency certificate at level B2

With OPIT’s credit transfer system, you may be able to skip some of the subjects or even an entire term of the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI program, depending on your prior experiences and existing qualifications.

With regard to cost, the full price for this MSc program is €6,750, or €2,250 per term. You can make one payment or pay on a installment basis, and OPIT offers a variety of financing plans and even scholarships to help you manage your payments or potentially reduce the total cost.