Recommender systems are AI-based algorithms that use different information to recommend products to customers. We can say that recommender systems are a subtype of machine learning because the algorithms “learn from their past,” i.e., use past data to predict the future.
Today, we’re exposed to vast amounts of information. The internet is overflowing with data on virtually any topic. Recommender systems are like filters that analyze the data and offer the users (you) only relevant information. Since what’s relevant to you may not interest someone else, these systems use unique criteria to provide the best results to everyone.
In this article, we’ll dig deep into recommender systems and discuss their types, applications, and challenges.
Types of Recommender Systems
Learning more about the types of recommender systems will help you understand their purpose.
Content-Based Filtering
With content-based filtering, it’s all about the features of a particular item. Algorithms pick up on specific characteristics to recommend a similar item to the user (you). Of course, the starting point is your previous actions and/or feedback.
Sounds too abstract, doesn’t it? Let’s explain it through a real-life example: movies. Suppose you’ve subscribed to a streaming platform and watched The Notebook (a romance/drama starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams). Algorithms will sniff around to investigate this movie’s properties:
- Genre
- Actors
- Reviews
- Title
Then, algorithms will suggest what to watch next and display movies with similar features. For example, you may find A Walk to Remember on your list (because it belongs to the same genre and is based on a book by the same author). But you may also see La La Land on the list (although it’s not the same genre and isn’t based on a book, it stars Ryan Gosling).
Some of the advantages of this type are:
- It only needs data from a specific user, not a whole group.
- It’s ideal for those who have interests that don’t fall into the mainstream category.
A potential drawback is:
- It recommends only similar items, so users can’t really expand their interests.
Collaborative Filtering
In this case, users’ preferences and past behaviors “collaborate” with one another, and algorithms use these similarities to recommend items. We have two types of collaborative filtering: user-user and item-item.
User-User Collaborative Filtering
The main idea behind this type of recommender system is that people with similar interests and past purchases are likely to make similar selections in the future. Unlike the previous type, the focus here isn’t just on only one user but a whole group.
Collaborative filtering is popular in e-commerce, with a famous example being Amazon. It analyzes the customers’ profiles and reviews and offers recommended products using that data.
The main advantages of user-user collaborative filtering are:
- It allows users to explore new interests and stay in the loop with trends.
- It doesn’t need information about the specific characteristics of an item.
The biggest disadvantage is:
- It can be overwhelmed by data volume and offer poor results.
Item-Item Collaborative Filtering
If you were ever wondering how Amazon knows you want a mint green protective case for the phone you just ordered, the answer is item-item collaborative filtering. Amazon invented this type of filtering back in 1998. With it, the e-commerce platform can make quick product suggestions and let users purchase them with ease. Here, the focus isn’t on similarities between users but between products.
Some of the advantages of item-item collaborative filtering are:
- It doesn’t require information about the user.
- It encourages users to purchase more products.
The main drawback is:
- It can suffer from a decrease in performance when there’s a vast amount of data.
Hybrid Recommender Systems
As we’ve seen, both collaborative and content-based filtering have their advantages and drawbacks. Experts designed hybrid recommender systems that grab the best of both worlds. They overcome the problems behind collaborative and content-based filtering and offer better performance.
With hybrid recommender systems, algorithms take into account different factors:
- Users’ preferences
- Users’ past purchases
- Users’ product ratings
- Similarities between items
- Current trends
A classic example of a hybrid recommender system is Netflix. Here, you’ll see the recommended content based on the TV shows and movies you’ve already watched. You can also discover content that users with similar interests enjoy and can see what’s trending at the moment.
The biggest strong points of this system are:
- It offers precise and personalized recommendations.
- It doesn’t have cold-start problems (poor performance due to lack of information).
The main drawback is:
- It’s highly complex.
Machine Learning Techniques in Recommender Systems
It’s fair to say that machine learning is like the foundation stone of recommender systems. This sub-type of artificial intelligence (AI) represents the process of computers generating knowledge from data. We understand the “machine” part, but what does “learning” implicate? “Learning” means that machines improve their performance and enhance capabilities as they learn more information and become more “experienced.”
The four machine learning techniques recommender systems love are:
- Supervised learning
- Unsupervised learning
- Reinforcement learning
- Deep learning
Supervised Learning
In this case, algorithms feed off past data to predict the future. To do that, algorithms need to know what they’re looking for in the data and what the target is. The data in which we know the target label are named labeled datasets, and they teach algorithms how to classify data or make predictions.
Supervised learning has found its place in recommender systems because it helps understand patterns and offers valuable recommendations to users. It analyzes the users’ past behavior to predict their future. Plus, supervised learning can handle large amounts of data.
The most obvious drawback of supervised learning is that it requires human involvement, and training machines to make predictions is no walk in the park. There’s also the issue of result accuracy. Whether or not the results will be accurate largely depends on the input and target values.
Unsupervised Learning
With unsupervised learning, there’s no need to “train” machines on what to look for in datasets. Instead, the machines analyze the information to discover hidden patterns or similar features. In other words, you can sit back and relax while the algorithms do their magic. There’s no need to worry about inputs and target values, and that is one of the best things about unsupervised learning.
How does this machine learning technique fit into recommender systems? The main application is exploration. With unsupervised learning, you can discover trends and patterns you didn’t even know existed. It can discover surprising similarities and differences between users and their online behavior. Simply put, unsupervised learning can perfect your recommendation strategies and make them more precise and personal.
Reinforcement Learning
Reinforcement learning is another technique used in recommender systems. It functions like a reward-punishment system, where the machine has a goal that it needs to achieve through a series of steps. The machine will try a strategy, receive back, change the strategy as necessary, and try again until it reaches the goal and gets a reward.
The most basic example of reinforcement learning in recommender systems is movie recommendations. In this case, the “reward” would be the user giving a five-star rating to the recommended movie.
Deep Learning
Deep learning is one of the most advanced (and most fascinating) subcategories of AI. The main idea behind deep learning is building neural networks that mimic and function similarly to human brains. Machines that feature this technology can learn new information and draw their own conclusions without any human assistance.
Thanks to this, deep learning offers fine-tuned suggestions to users, enhances their satisfaction, and ultimately leads to higher profits for companies that use it.
Challenges and Future Trends in Recommender Systems
Although we may not realize it, recommender systems are the driving force of online purchases and content streaming. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to discover amazing TV shows, movies, songs, and products that make our lives better, simpler, and more enjoyable.
Without a doubt, the internet would look very different if it wasn’t for recommender systems. But as you may have noticed, what you see as recommended isn’t always what you want, need, or like. In fact, the recommendations can be so wrong that you may be shocked how the internet could misinterpret you like that. Recommender systems aren’t perfect (at least not yet), and they face different challenges that affect their performance:
- Data sparsity and scalability – If users don’t leave a trace online (don’t review items), the machines don’t have enough data to analyze and make recommendations. Likewise, the datasets change and grow constantly, which can also represent an issue.
- Cold start problem – When new users become a part of a system, they may not receive relevant recommendations because algorithms don’t “know” their preferences, past purchases, or ratings. The same goes for new items introduced to a system.
- Privacy and security concerns – Privacy and security are always at the spotlight of recommender systems. The situation is a paradox. The more a system knows about you, the better recommendations you’ll get. At the same time, you may not be willing to let a system learn your personal information if you want to maintain your privacy. But then, you won’t enjoy great recommendations.
- Incorporating contextual information – Besides “typical” information, other data can help make more precise and relevant recommendations. The problem is how to incorporate them.
- Explainability and trust – Can a recommender system explain why it made a certain recommendation, and can you trust it?
Discover New Worlds with Recommender Systems
Recommender systems are growing smarter by the day, thanks to machine learning and technological advancements. The recommendations were introduced to allow us to save time and find exactly what we’re looking for in a jiff. At the same time, they let us experiment and try something different.
While recommender systems have come a long way, there’s still more than enough room for further development.
-
From the same author
Read the articleRecommender systems are AI-based algorithms that use different information to recommend products to customers. We can say that recommender systems are a subtype of machine learning because the algorithms “learn from their past,” i.e., use past data to predict the future.
Today, we’re exposed to vast amounts of information. The internet is overflowing with data on virtually any topic. Recommender systems are like filters that analyze the data and offer the users (you) only relevant information. Since what’s relevant to you may not interest someone else, these systems use unique criteria to provide the best results to everyone.
In this article, we’ll dig deep into recommender systems and discuss their types, applications, and challenges.
Types of Recommender Systems
Learning more about the types of recommender systems will help you understand their purpose.
Content-Based Filtering
With content-based filtering, it’s all about the features of a particular item. Algorithms pick up on specific characteristics to recommend a similar item to the user (you). Of course, the starting point is your previous actions and/or feedback.
Sounds too abstract, doesn’t it? Let’s explain it through a real-life example: movies. Suppose you’ve subscribed to a streaming platform and watched The Notebook (a romance/drama starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams). Algorithms will sniff around to investigate this movie’s properties:
- Genre
- Actors
- Reviews
- Title
Then, algorithms will suggest what to watch next and display movies with similar features. For example, you may find A Walk to Remember on your list (because it belongs to the same genre and is based on a book by the same author). But you may also see La La Land on the list (although it’s not the same genre and isn’t based on a book, it stars Ryan Gosling).
Some of the advantages of this type are:
- It only needs data from a specific user, not a whole group.
- It’s ideal for those who have interests that don’t fall into the mainstream category.
A potential drawback is:
- It recommends only similar items, so users can’t really expand their interests.
Collaborative Filtering
In this case, users’ preferences and past behaviors “collaborate” with one another, and algorithms use these similarities to recommend items. We have two types of collaborative filtering: user-user and item-item.
User-User Collaborative Filtering
The main idea behind this type of recommender system is that people with similar interests and past purchases are likely to make similar selections in the future. Unlike the previous type, the focus here isn’t just on only one user but a whole group.
Collaborative filtering is popular in e-commerce, with a famous example being Amazon. It analyzes the customers’ profiles and reviews and offers recommended products using that data.
The main advantages of user-user collaborative filtering are:
- It allows users to explore new interests and stay in the loop with trends.
- It doesn’t need information about the specific characteristics of an item.
The biggest disadvantage is:
- It can be overwhelmed by data volume and offer poor results.
Item-Item Collaborative Filtering
If you were ever wondering how Amazon knows you want a mint green protective case for the phone you just ordered, the answer is item-item collaborative filtering. Amazon invented this type of filtering back in 1998. With it, the e-commerce platform can make quick product suggestions and let users purchase them with ease. Here, the focus isn’t on similarities between users but between products.
Some of the advantages of item-item collaborative filtering are:
- It doesn’t require information about the user.
- It encourages users to purchase more products.
The main drawback is:
- It can suffer from a decrease in performance when there’s a vast amount of data.
Hybrid Recommender Systems
As we’ve seen, both collaborative and content-based filtering have their advantages and drawbacks. Experts designed hybrid recommender systems that grab the best of both worlds. They overcome the problems behind collaborative and content-based filtering and offer better performance.
With hybrid recommender systems, algorithms take into account different factors:
- Users’ preferences
- Users’ past purchases
- Users’ product ratings
- Similarities between items
- Current trends
A classic example of a hybrid recommender system is Netflix. Here, you’ll see the recommended content based on the TV shows and movies you’ve already watched. You can also discover content that users with similar interests enjoy and can see what’s trending at the moment.
The biggest strong points of this system are:
- It offers precise and personalized recommendations.
- It doesn’t have cold-start problems (poor performance due to lack of information).
The main drawback is:
- It’s highly complex.
Machine Learning Techniques in Recommender Systems
It’s fair to say that machine learning is like the foundation stone of recommender systems. This sub-type of artificial intelligence (AI) represents the process of computers generating knowledge from data. We understand the “machine” part, but what does “learning” implicate? “Learning” means that machines improve their performance and enhance capabilities as they learn more information and become more “experienced.”
The four machine learning techniques recommender systems love are:
- Supervised learning
- Unsupervised learning
- Reinforcement learning
- Deep learning
Supervised Learning
In this case, algorithms feed off past data to predict the future. To do that, algorithms need to know what they’re looking for in the data and what the target is. The data in which we know the target label are named labeled datasets, and they teach algorithms how to classify data or make predictions.
Supervised learning has found its place in recommender systems because it helps understand patterns and offers valuable recommendations to users. It analyzes the users’ past behavior to predict their future. Plus, supervised learning can handle large amounts of data.
The most obvious drawback of supervised learning is that it requires human involvement, and training machines to make predictions is no walk in the park. There’s also the issue of result accuracy. Whether or not the results will be accurate largely depends on the input and target values.
Unsupervised Learning
With unsupervised learning, there’s no need to “train” machines on what to look for in datasets. Instead, the machines analyze the information to discover hidden patterns or similar features. In other words, you can sit back and relax while the algorithms do their magic. There’s no need to worry about inputs and target values, and that is one of the best things about unsupervised learning.
How does this machine learning technique fit into recommender systems? The main application is exploration. With unsupervised learning, you can discover trends and patterns you didn’t even know existed. It can discover surprising similarities and differences between users and their online behavior. Simply put, unsupervised learning can perfect your recommendation strategies and make them more precise and personal.
Reinforcement Learning
Reinforcement learning is another technique used in recommender systems. It functions like a reward-punishment system, where the machine has a goal that it needs to achieve through a series of steps. The machine will try a strategy, receive back, change the strategy as necessary, and try again until it reaches the goal and gets a reward.
The most basic example of reinforcement learning in recommender systems is movie recommendations. In this case, the “reward” would be the user giving a five-star rating to the recommended movie.
Deep Learning
Deep learning is one of the most advanced (and most fascinating) subcategories of AI. The main idea behind deep learning is building neural networks that mimic and function similarly to human brains. Machines that feature this technology can learn new information and draw their own conclusions without any human assistance.
Thanks to this, deep learning offers fine-tuned suggestions to users, enhances their satisfaction, and ultimately leads to higher profits for companies that use it.
Challenges and Future Trends in Recommender Systems
Although we may not realize it, recommender systems are the driving force of online purchases and content streaming. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to discover amazing TV shows, movies, songs, and products that make our lives better, simpler, and more enjoyable.
Without a doubt, the internet would look very different if it wasn’t for recommender systems. But as you may have noticed, what you see as recommended isn’t always what you want, need, or like. In fact, the recommendations can be so wrong that you may be shocked how the internet could misinterpret you like that. Recommender systems aren’t perfect (at least not yet), and they face different challenges that affect their performance:
- Data sparsity and scalability – If users don’t leave a trace online (don’t review items), the machines don’t have enough data to analyze and make recommendations. Likewise, the datasets change and grow constantly, which can also represent an issue.
- Cold start problem – When new users become a part of a system, they may not receive relevant recommendations because algorithms don’t “know” their preferences, past purchases, or ratings. The same goes for new items introduced to a system.
- Privacy and security concerns – Privacy and security are always at the spotlight of recommender systems. The situation is a paradox. The more a system knows about you, the better recommendations you’ll get. At the same time, you may not be willing to let a system learn your personal information if you want to maintain your privacy. But then, you won’t enjoy great recommendations.
- Incorporating contextual information – Besides “typical” information, other data can help make more precise and relevant recommendations. The problem is how to incorporate them.
- Explainability and trust – Can a recommender system explain why it made a certain recommendation, and can you trust it?
Discover New Worlds with Recommender Systems
Recommender systems are growing smarter by the day, thanks to machine learning and technological advancements. The recommendations were introduced to allow us to save time and find exactly what we’re looking for in a jiff. At the same time, they let us experiment and try something different.
While recommender systems have come a long way, there’s still more than enough room for further development.
Read the articleTens of thousands of businesses go under every year. There are various culprits, but one of the most common causes is the inability of companies to streamline their customer experience. Many technologies have emerged to save the day, one of which is natural language processing (NLP).
But what is natural language processing? In simple terms, it’s the capacity of computers and other machines to understand and synthesize human language.
It may already seem like it would be important in the business world and trust us – it is. Enterprises rely on this sophisticated technology to facilitate different language-related tasks. Plus, it enables machines to read and listen to language as well as interact with it in many other ways.
The applications of NLP are practically endless. It can translate and summarize texts, retrieve information in a heartbeat, and help set up virtual assistants, among other things.
Looking to learn more about these applications? You’ve come to the right place. Besides use cases, this introduction to natural language processing will cover the history, components, techniques, and challenges of NLP.
History of Natural Language Processing
Before getting to the nuts and bolts of NLP basics, this introduction to NLP will first examine how the technology has grown over the years.
Early Developments in NLP
Some people revolutionized our lives in many ways. For example, Alan Turing is credited with several groundbreaking advancements in mathematics. But did you also know he paved the way for modern computer science, and by extension, natural language processing?
In the 1950s, Turing wanted to learn if humans could talk to machines via teleprompter without noticing a major difference. If they could, he concluded the machine would be capable of thinking and speaking.
Turin’s proposal has since been used to gauge this ability of computers and is known as the Turing Test.
Evolution of NLP Techniques and Algorithms
Since Alan Turing set the stage for natural language processing, many masterminds and organizations have built upon his research:
- 1958 – John McCarthy launched his Locator/Identifier Separation Protocol.
- 1964 – Joseph Wizenbaum came up with a natural language processing model called ELIZA.
- 1980s – IBM developed an array of NLP-based statistical solutions.
- 1990s – Recurrent neural networks took center stage.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in NLP
Discussing NLP without mentioning artificial intelligence and machine learning is like leaving a glass half empty. So, what’s the role of these technologies in NLP? It’s pivotal, to say the least.
AI and machine learning are the cornerstone of most NLP applications. They’re the engine of the NLP features that produce text, allowing NLP apps to turn raw data into usable information.
Key Components of Natural Language Processing
The phrase building blocks get thrown around a lot in the computer science realm. It’s key to understanding different parts of this sphere, including natural language processing. So, without further ado, let’s rifle through the building blocks of NLP.
Syntax Analysis
An NLP tool without syntax analysis would be lost in translation. It’s a paramount stage since this is where the program extracts meaning from the provided information. In simple terms, the system learns what makes sense and what doesn’t. For instance, it rejects contradictory pieces of data close together, such as “cold Sun.”
Semantic Analysis
Understanding someone who jumbles up words is difficult or impossible altogether. NLP tools recognize this problem, which is why they undergo in-depth semantic analysis. The network hits the books, learning proper grammatical structures and word orders. It also determines how to connect individual words and phrases.
Pragmatic Analysis
A machine that relies only on syntax and semantic analysis would be too machine-like, which goes against Turing’s principles. Salvation comes in the form of pragmatic analysis. The NLP software uses knowledge outside the source (e.g., textbook or paper) to determine what the speaker actually wants to say.
Discourse Analysis
When talking to someone, there’s a point to your conversation. An NLP system is just like that, but it needs to go through extensive training to achieve the same level of discourse. That’s where discourse analysis comes in. It instructs the machine to use a coherent group of sentences that have a similar or the same theme.
Speech Recognition and Generation
Once all the above elements are perfected, it’s blast-off time. The NLP has everything it needs to recognize and generate speech. This is where the real magic happens – the system interacts with the user and starts using the same language. If each stage has been performed correctly, there should be no significant differences between real speech and NLP-based applications.
Natural Language Processing Techniques
Different analyses are common for most (if not all) NLP solutions. They all point in one direction, which is recognizing and generating speech. But just like Google Maps, the system can choose different routes. In this case, the routes are known as NLP techniques.
Rule-Based Approaches
Rule-based approaches might be the easiest NLP technique to understand. You feed your rules into the system, and the NLP tool synthesizes language based on them. If input data isn’t associated with any rule, it doesn’t recognize the information – simple as that.
Statistical Methods
If you go one level up on the complexity scale, you’ll see statistical NLP methods. They’re based on advanced calculations, which enable an NLP platform to predict data based on previous information.
Neural Networks and Deep Learning
You might be thinking: “Neural networks? That sounds like something out of a medical textbook.” Although that’s not quite correct, you’re on the right track. Neural networks are NLP techniques that feature interconnected nodes, imitating neural connections in your brain.
Deep learning is a sub-type of these networks. Basically, any neural network with at least three layers is considered a deep learning environment.
Transfer Learning and Pre-Trained Language Models
The internet is like a massive department store – you can find almost anything that comes to mind here. The list includes pre-trained language models. These models are trained on enormous quantities of data, eliminating the need for you to train them using your own information.
Transfer learning draws on this concept. By tweaking pre-trained models to accommodate a particular project, you perform a transfer learning maneuver.
Applications of Natural Language Processing
With so many cutting-edge processes underpinning NLP, it’s no surprise it has practically endless applications. Here are some of the most common natural language processing examples:
- Search engines and information retrieval – An NLP-based search engine understands your search intent to retrieve accurate information fast.
- Sentiment analysis and social media monitoring – NLP systems can even determine your emotional motivation and uncover the sentiment behind social media content.
- Machine translation and language understanding – NLP software is the go-to solution for fast translations and understanding complex languages to improve communication.
- Chatbots and virtual assistants – A state-of-the-art NLP environment is behind most chatbots and virtual assistants, which allows organizations to enhance customer support and other key segments.
- Text summarization and generation – A robust NLP infrastructure not only understands texts but also summarizes and generates texts of its own based on your input.
Challenges and Limitations of Natural Language Processing
Natural language processing in AI and machine learning is mighty but not almighty. There are setbacks to this technology, but given the speedy development of AI, they can be considered a mere speed bump for the time being:
- Ambiguity and complexity of human language – Human language keeps evolving, resulting in ambiguous structures NLP often struggles to grasp.
- Cultural and contextual nuances – With approximately 4,000 distinct cultures on the globe, it’s hard for an NLP system to understand the nuances of each.
- Data privacy and ethical concerns – As every NLP platform requires vast data, the methods for sourcing this data tend to trigger ethical concerns.
- Computational resources and computing power – The more polished an NLP tool becomes, the greater the computing power must be, which can be hard to achieve.
The Future of Natural Language Processing
The final part of our take on natural language processing in artificial intelligence asks a crucial question: What does the future hold for NLP?
- Advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning – Will AI and machine learning advancements help NLP understand more complex and nuanced languages faster?
- Integration of NLP with other technologies – How well will NLP integrate with other technologies to facilitate personal and corporate use?
- Personalized and adaptive language models – Can you expect developers to come up with personalized and adaptive language models to accommodate those with speech disorders better?
- Ethical considerations and guidelines for NLP development – How will the spearheads of NLP development address ethical problems if the technology requires more and more data to execute?
The Potential of Natural Language Processing Is Unrivaled
It’s hard to find a technology that’s more important for today’s businesses and society as a whole than natural language processing. It streamlines communication, enabling people from all over the world to connect with each other.
The impact of NLP will amplify if the developers of this technology can address the above risks. By honing the software with other platforms while minimizing privacy issues, they can dispel any concerns associated with it.
If you want to learn more about NLP, don’t stop here. Use these natural language processing notes as a stepping stone for in-depth research. Also, consider an NLP course to gain a deep understanding of this topic.
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Life is unpredictable. While many of us have specific hopes and expectations of how our futures will turn out, things don’t always go as expected. There are many variables and unexpected incidents that can interfere and force you to alter your plans, and this is particularly true when it comes to education.
For instance, you might have had plans to study a specific subject, but had to deviate from those plans due to unforeseen circumstances. Or you may have had to enter the workforce in an occupation different from the one you sought in an effort to earn an income, a move that may not provide you with the time or opportunity to achieve your desired educational aims.
In short, every individual’s career pathway is different, and very few go exactly as we expect from the outset. Fortunately, even if you experience a few false starts or sudden twists in your pathway, there are always options available to help you get back on track.
The Unpredictable Nature of Education
In theory, the educational process seems simple. You select a course of study that interests you from the vast array of subjects and prospective professions, select the appropriate classes, acquire the knowledge and skills you need to succeed, and then embark on your profession.
In reality, however, as many people know from firsthand experience, the road to education is often far from straightforward. Here are just some of the many challenges that can take your educational path in a completely different direction:
- Life’s Curveballs: As touched on in the introduction, life is impossible to predict. Financial hardships, health issues, and family emergencies are just some of the unfortunate occurrences that might derail even the most perfectly planned educational regime.
- Changing Interests: People’s desires and preferences don’t necessarily stay the same throughout their entire lives. As you grow, learn, and have new experiences, your interests may change, and so, too, may your educational objectives.
- Pressure and Burnout: Some academic paths are particularly challenging, demanding intense levels of study and hard work. This can sometimes prove too much to bear, even for the most resilient students.
- Failures and Setbacks: Conventional education largely builds around tests and examinations, requiring students to demonstrate their competencies repeatedly. It’s a system that doesn’t suit everyone, and test failures can lead to setbacks and delays.
- Inequality: People can be born with very different privileges and levels of access to education. Those in certain parts of the world may find it much more challenging to complete their education path for financial, cultural, or even political reasons.
- Late Bloomers: People develop at different paces. Some may struggle educationally early on in their lives, forcing them to make certain concessions or sacrifices related to their studies, only to find their feet later in life once they’ve entered the world of work.
Whether you’re a late bloomer, have had your educational aspirations delayed by personal problems, desire to learn new skills and try something different, or want to begin a fresh chapter in your professional life, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) may be able to help.
Introducing OPIT
OPIT is an online teaching platform, making high-level technological educational programs accessible to all, no matter their age or background. Offering education in fields like computer science, artificial intelligence, and digital business, OPIT provides a curated collection of degrees. In addition, they offer classes taught by world-leading tutors imparting the wisdom and skills students need to achieve their goals and become the tech leaders of tomorrow.
Meanwhile, for those who have had somewhat tumultuous or unpredictable educational paths, OPIT offers the perfect course corrector: the OPIT Foundation Year.
The OPIT Foundation Year
OPIT’s Foundation Year is a Pre-Tertiary Certificate in Information Technology, fully aligned with MQF/EQF Level 4 standards and valued at 60 ECTS credits. Lasting just one year, this program essentially serves as a comprehensive yet accessible springboard towards higher-level education, creating a path towards degrees and careers in dynamic, flexible fields, like computer science and digital business.
Like other OPIT programs, the Foundation Year is delivered entirely online via the OPIT Virtual Learning Environment. Combining live lectures, asynchronous content, and interactive assessments, students enjoy diverse and dynamic study experiences, acquiring core skills like academic writing, mathematics, and computer literacy, and building a bedrock of knowledge and confidence before taking their next steps.
Who Is the Foundation Program For?
The Foundation Program is designed to provide a solid base upon which to build the technological education many students need. It’s the perfect choice for those who are eager and ambitious to enter professions in AI, data science, and computing, but don’t feel that they have the necessary core skills and knowledge needed to dive straight into a degree.
Entry requirements are relatively relaxed in order to allow as many students as possible to enjoy the benefits of this program. With that said, applicants should ideally hold an MQF/EQF Level 3 or equivalent qualification, with the intention of pursuing a bachelor’s degree. A minimum of B2 level of English proficiency is also required, as this is the working and studying language of the institution.
What the Foundation Year Provides
Perhaps you’ve recently graduated, are considering a career change, or finally have the opportunity to return to education after initial delays or unexpected disruptions to your original plans. Either way, the Foundation Year can help you enjoy:
- Greater Self-Confidence: Foundation Year graduates gain the fundamental skills they need to enter degree programs with much more self-belief and assuredness.
- Superior Tech Knowledge: Lasting two terms, this course explores mathematics, academic reading and writing, and provides an introduction to computer hardware and software.
- Foundational Mathematics: Mathematics literacy forms a large part of the study focus for the Foundation Year, helping students feel more comfortable with numbers and formulas.
- Flexible Learning: Unlike more rigid, conventional education environments, OPIT gives you the freedom and flexibility to study at a pace that suits you best, all from the comfort of home.
- Global Community: OPIT is an international institution, with staff and students from all around the world eager to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and help one another.
Take Your Next Steps to Success With the OPIT Foundation Year
If you’re curious about a career in technology or have always wanted to work with AI, data, and computers, but struggled to find the time and opportunities you need to acquire relevant skills and knowledge, the Foundation Program was made for people like you.
It’s the ideal entry point into the exciting world of online education, and the perfect first step towards a prestigious degree from an innovative and increasingly successful institution. Download the brochure to learn more about it, or start your online application, today.
Students today have a broader range of fields of study to choose from than ever before, but with the world becoming increasingly technological and computers increasing in influence and importance, pursuing a career in computer science often proves a smart, strategic choice.
There are numerous benefits and career paths associated with studying and working in computer science, and we’ll be listing just a few of them in this guide.
High Average Salaries
With the rising cost of living in many parts of the world, it’s unsurprising that many students are thinking several decades ahead to determine what level of starting salaries they could obtain in different career fields.
Many are also seeking professions that offer the opportunity for growth and the ability to advance up the ranks over time, thus increasing their salary and their quality of life in the process.
If a strong, stable salary with the opportunity for improved income is one of your top career priorities, computer science should be at or near the top of your list of prospective careers.
According to recent data, computer scientists earn an average of over €65,000 per year, with certain jobs, like IT project leader and data scientist, paying ever higher. Starting salaries are strong, too, with graduates earning anywhere from €46,000 to €60,000, depending on their chosen profession and level of qualifications.
There are similarly high average salaries reported around the world in computer science and related fields such as data science and AI/ML engineering. These numbers are projected to increase in the years to come, pointing to computer science as a way for graduates to get off to the best financial start of any career.
Unrivaled Flexibility
A common problem with some subjects and courses is that they only provide graduates with a narrow set of skills and a similarly narrow range of potential professions to which they can apply those skills.
That’s not the case with computer science. Graduates in this field can enjoy instant access to a remarkably diverse array of career opportunities, with even newer opportunities being created all the time as technology evolves and innovations emerge.
A few of the many industries and roles you might choose to enter in the field of computer science include:
- Healthcare: As a software developer, data analyst, or cybersecurity expert
- Finance: As a fintech engineer, blockchain developer, or security analyst
- Media: As a graphics programmer, AI developer, or game developer
- Education: As an analyst, software developer, or machine learning engineer
Guaranteed Opportunities
Some career paths are more limited than others, with relatively low numbers of opportunities, recurring risks of job loss, or difficulty obtaining employment in the first place.
Again, with computer science, this simply isn’t the case. At a time when 75% of companies plan to embrace AI and other technologies by 2027, and businesses of all sizes and industries are now relying on computers more than ever before, computer science graduates can enjoy almost unbeatable job security.
Opportunities will continue to grow for people with good computing knowledge, whether that be in the obvious fields like software and web development, engineering, and AI development, or more niche sectors.
With so many options, you’re effectively guaranteed a long, rewarding career if you put in the necessary time and effort needed to establish a strong foundation of computing skills.
Rapidly Expanding and Evolving Industries
It’s no secret that the world of technology is a dynamic and fast-moving one. In the past 20 years alone, we’ve seen the proliferation of the internet, the rapid advancement of smartphones and wearable devices, the emergence of AI, and so much more.
In the years ahead, engineers and developers will continue to explore the boundaries of modern technology’s powers and potential, driving new innovations and improvements and opening more exciting job opportunities for those already established and experienced in this field.
Getting into computer science now could therefore provide a solid foundation for a career filled with excitement as you uncover and explore new ways of working with computers in fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, education, entertainment, manufacturing, logistics, and beyond.
Start Your Computer Science Career at OPIT
We’ve discussed some of the many benefits associated with careers in computer science, from the high starting salaries to the rapidly growing array of job options available to graduates. By now, you may be eager to follow this particular career path and take advantage of the wealth of opportunities.
If you’re wondering how to start, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) may hold the answers you need. As an exclusively online learning platform, specializing in computer science and digital business, and staffed by some of the world’s leading tech experts, OPIT is producing the tech leaders of tomorrow.
Some of the many advantages of learning with OPIT include:
- Accessible and flexible online education that matches your learning style and schedule
- Heavy focus on real-world applications of the skills you acquire
- An international community of like-minded students from around the globe
- A top team of tutors and lecturers from varying fields and industries
- Progressive assessment of skills and understanding – not constant exams
OPIT offers a small, curated selection of courses for those seeking to gain the technological skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen areas of expertise. That includes a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science – a six-term program, worth 180 ECTS credits.
Numerous IT industry leaders and experts helped develop this fully accredited undergraduate degree, which is online and accessible to all. Like other OPIT courses, it offers a flexible learning program, with progressive assessments, fast-track options, and the opportunity to be part of a growing community of learners and tutors.
If the benefits of doing a career in computer science interest you, download the OPIT BSc in Computer Science brochure or fill out an online application today and take your first step toward a rewarding and fulfilling profession.
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