Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are two of the fastest-growing emerging technologies right now. In late 2022, generative AI burst onto the tech scene in the shape of ChatGPT and its antecedents. However, that’s not the first time AI has made a major impact. In fact, the first AI chatbot, Eliza, was around in the 1960s.

Both AI and machine learning do far more than chat and research. AI is embedded in analytics, predictive forecasting, and monitoring for multiple industries. As the use of AI and machine learning expands, the need for professionals with relevant skills is also growing exponentially.

OPIT (Open Institute of Technology) provides top-tier education in various tech fields, including highly respected machine learning and artificial intelligence courses. Let’s take a look at these fascinating technologies and how the right AI machine learning course can elevate your tech career.

Understanding AI and Machine Learning

When you’re searching for courses on artificial intelligence and machine learning, it helps to have a basic definition for both terms. If you already work in the tech industry, you likely work with one or both of these technologies every day. Yet they’re often so embedded within systems or apps that you might not even realize.

AI refers to the computer’s to exhibit behavior that replicates human thought patterns. However, the details of this definition are a little more complex than that. “Computers” can mean anything from a small subsystem to a supercomputer. It can also mean your smartphone or an app. And, by emulating human behavior, experts don’t necessarily mean AI does things exactly like us. Truly “thinking” AI with genuine cognitive abilities is a long way off.

What AI actually does is take things humans can already do – and do it faster and more often. Think about a software DevOps team requiring automated monitoring and testing of code prior to deployment. AI can do this while checking for vulnerabilities and producing relevant, actionable reports. In healthcare, AI uses pattern recognition to diagnose diseases quickly.

Machine learning is a subset of AI. It focuses on using algorithms to consistently and continuously improve pattern recognition for AI that appears to “learn.”

Courses in AI and machine learning are so popular because of the inherent usefulness of these technologies. Learning these skills now is a way to future-proof your tech career.

The Best AI and Machine Learning Courses

Numerous artificial intelligence and machine learning courses cover different topics and niches. You may choose to learn in a classroom setting or remotely. Some courses are short-term, generally covering foundational aspects of AI. Others carry on over several months for a deeper learning experience. Always consider how the course you invest in will impact your career advancement opportunities.

Absolute beginners may benefit from the Coursera IBM Applied Professional Certificate. This course runs entirely online over three months, presuming you can commit to 10 hours a week. Students learn the basics of AI, particularly how it powers IBM’s Watson AI services.

Oxford Online runs a 6-week online AI program course requiring 7-10 hours of commitment a week. This course looks at AI concepts and business cases for implementation and takes a glimpse at the future of AI.

For classroom-based courses on AI and machine learning, prospective students are best placed to contact local educational institutions. Offline courses vary in length, depth, and usefulness, so always check the syllabus and what certification you gain. It’s worth considering how far you’ll have to travel to gain a qualification.

One of the biggest challenges with AI is making it ethical. OPIT addresses that head-on with the MSc in Responsible AI. Learn advanced AI skills while keeping inclusivity and human interest at the heart of every aspect of the syllabus.

OPIT also offers other courses that consider the impact AI has on modern business practice. Undergraduates could consider the BSc in Digital Business, which includes a full Introduction to AI segment. There are also elective topics, including AI-Driven Software Development.

The Structure of AI and Machine Learning Courses

What should you expect from the best courses on AI and machine learning? Each course has a specific length, either in terms of study hours or a set deadline date. Most online courses have a specific intake date to make sure students get the right support at the right time.

Once you start your machine learning and AI course, you can expect a good balance between theory and practical application. For example, OPIT’s master’s degree course starts with foundational theory and critical thinking around ethics in AI. From here, students get to handle complex data sets. They program in Python and learn how to design effective AI-powered data pipelines.

The structure of your course will depend on the focus, but to give you the best foundation, courses may follow a similar pathway to this:

  • Basics of AI, including the differences between AI and machine learning
  • Discovering applications of AI — these may be general or industry-specific, depending on the nature of your course
  • Data collation, analysis, and visualization
  • Programming for AI
  • Natural language processing (NLP) and natural language generation (NLG)
  • Removing or preventing bias in AI training

Some courses will also offer advanced elective programs, such as understanding AI within the sphere of FinOps (financial operations) or business strategy. If you have a particular industry you’re hoping to excel in, look out for courses with topics that could help you further those ambitions.

Online AI and Machine Learning Courses: Flexibility and Accessibility

Choosing one of the best machine learning and AI courses to do online offers more benefits than new skills. Online learning allows you to study in your preferred environment and at your own pace. You just need to make sure you keep an eye on set deadlines.

You’re not distracted by a class full of people, but you still have access to tutors and support. Many open learning institutes have online communities of students. These are great for preventing isolation and gaining advice.

As a tech professional, the ability to set your own study schedule is essential. Online AI and machine learning courses provide flexibility, allowing you to learn as you work. With OPIT’s Master’s Degree in Responsible Artificial Intelligence, you could potentially have an MSc in 12-18 months without taking any time off work.

Key Skills Gained from AI and Machine Learning Courses

When choosing your online course on AI and machine learning, consider the skills you’ll learn. You should expect to cover:

  • Data preprocessing
  • Data cleansing
  • Data visualization and storytelling
  • Linear and nonlinear dimensionality reduction
  • Manifold learning
  • Human-centered AI design
  • Language-agnostic AI programming skills

An MSc in AI and machine learning provides specialized skills and knowledge that you can use to address complex AI challenges in just about any industry.

Choosing the Right AI and Machine Learning Course for You

Picking the right AI and machine learning course is simpler when you consider your goals. Do you want a quick upskill and insight into emerging technologies? Or do you want an immersive course that empowers you to take on new career challenges? Most AI and machine learning courses will provide guidance on the type of career students could hope to pursue after completion.

Always look at the syllabus of a course and see if it meets your personal goals. If you’re unsure about any aspects, contact the education provider for more information.

OPIT’S MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence: An Overview

If you’ve decided an online AI and machine learning course is for you, as a graduate, an MSc is the natural choice. The next intake for the OPIT MSc in Responsible AI is September 2024, and details on how to apply are online.

What are the benefits of taking this course?

  • A fast-track option to gain your master’s degree in just 12 months
  • Fully inclusive fees — no hidden charges
  • Various scholarship and funding options
  • Availability of early-bird discounts
  • Access to academic leaders from all over the world
  • Education with an EU-accredited institution

Your MSc course covers every aspect of AI you might require for a career in AI and machine learning. Topics start with AI and ethics and quickly move into human-centered design, computer vision, and how AI impacts IoT and automation.

As you move into your final term, you start your MSc thesis, which focuses on AI projects with industrial relevance. There’s also the opportunity to pursue an internship to complement your thesis and gain vital experience.

AI and Machine Learning Courses for a Future-Proof Career

AI is now part of most growing industries, from property and real estate to healthcare and social care. Tech professionals have the opportunity to upskill themselves and move into fields that they have a real passion for. Organizations are looking for and willing to pay high salaries for knowledgeable, qualified AI experts.

Taking the time now to embark on machine learning and AI courses could speed your journey along your chosen career trajectory.

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By Stephanie Mullins

Many people love to read the stories of successful business school graduates to see what they’ve achieved using the lessons, insights and connections from the programmes they’ve studied. We speak to one alumnus, Riccardo Ocleppo, who studied at top business schools including London Business School (LBS) and INSEAD, about the education institution called OPIT which he created after business school.

Please introduce yourself and your career to date. 

I am the founder of OPIT — Open Institute of Technology, a fully accredited Higher Education Institution (HEI) under the European Qualification Framework (EQF) by the MFHEA Authority. OPIT also partners with WES (World Education Services), a trusted non-profit providing verified education credential assessments (ECA) in the US and Canada for foreign degrees and certificates.  

Prior to founding OPIT, I established Docsity, a global community boasting 15 million registered university students worldwide and partnerships with over 250 Universities and Business Schools. My academic background includes an MSc in Electronics from Politecnico di Torino and an MSc in Management from London Business School. 

Why did you decide to create OPIT Open Institute of Technology? 

Higher education has a profound impact on people’s futures. Through quality higher education, people can aspire to a better and more fulfilling future.  

The mission behind OPIT is to democratise access to high-quality higher education in the fields that will be in high demand in the coming decades: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Innovation. 

Since launching my first company in the education field, I’ve engaged with countless students, partnered with hundreds of universities, and collaborated with professors and companies. Through these interactions, I’ve observed a gap between traditional university curricula and the skills demanded by today’s job market, particularly in Computer Science and Technology. 

I founded OPIT to bridge this gap by modernising education, making it affordable, and enhancing the digital learning experience. By collaborating with international professors and forging solid relationships with global companies, we are creating a dynamic online community and developing high-quality digital learning content. This approach ensures our students benefit from a flexible, cutting-edge, and stress-free learning environment. 

Why do you think an education in tech is relevant in today’s business landscape?

As depicted by the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs 2023” report, the demand for skilled tech professionals remains (and will remain) robust across industries, driven by the critical role of advanced technologies in business success. 

Today’s companies require individuals who can innovate and execute complex solutions. A degree in fields like computer science, cybersecurity, data science, digital business or AI equips graduates with essential skills to thrive in this dynamic industry. 

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the global tech talent shortage will exceed 85 million workers by 2030. The Korn Ferry Institute warns that this gap could result in hundreds of billions in lost revenue across the US, Europe, and Asia.  

To address this challenge, OPIT aims to democratise access to technology education. Our competency-based and applied approach, coupled with a flexible online learning experience, empowers students to progress at their own pace, demonstrating their skills as they advance.  

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The European: Balancing AI’s Market Research Potential
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
Jul 17, 2024 3 min read

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With careful planning, ethical considerations, and ensuring human oversight is maintained, AI can have huge market research benefits, says Lorenzo Livi of the Open Institute of Technology.

By Lorenzo Livi

To market well, you need to get something interesting in front of those who are interested. That takes a lot of thinking, a lot of work, and a whole bunch of research. But what if the bulk of that thinking, work and research could be done for you? What would that mean for marketing as an industry, and market research specifically?

With the recent explosion of AI onto the world stage, big changes are coming in the marketing industry. But will AI be able to do market research as successfully? Simply, the answer is yes. A big, fat, resounding yes. In fact, AI has the potential to revolutionise market research.

Ensuring that people have a clear understanding of what exactly AI is is crucial, given its seismic effect on our world. Common questions that even occur amongst people at the forefront of marketing, such as, “Who invented AI?” or, “Where is the main AI system located?” highlight a widespread misunderstanding about the nature of AI.

As for the notion of a central “main thing” running AI, it’s essential to clarify that AI systems exist in various forms and locations. AI algorithms and models can run on individual computers, servers, or even specialized hardware designed for AI processing, commonly referred to as AI chips. These systems can be distributed across multiple locations, including data centres, cloud platforms, and edge devices. They can also be used anywhere, so long as you have a compatible device and an internet connection.

While the concept of AI may seem abstract or mysterious to some, it’s important to approach it with a clear understanding of its principles and applications. By promoting education and awareness about AI, we can dispel misconceptions and facilitate meaningful conversations about its role in society.

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