Open Online Course Elements of AI
From smart living to speech recognition and spam filters – artificial intelligence surrounds us in everyday life and has become even more important in the context of Industry 4.0. The impact on our society as a whole is undisputed. This course shows the potential of artificial intelligence, how it works and where it is already applied.
Elements of AI in a glance
The Elements of AI course was developed in 2018 by the University of Helsinki and the Finnish management consultancy Reactor. So far, there are more than 1 million registered participants from more than 170 countries, of which an above-average proportion of women (approximately 40%). A quarter of the participants are older than 45 years old.
In 2017, Finland launched an AI strategy to remain competitive in the context of increasing competition between China and the United States. Other governments have also supported this course to achieve a competitive advantage in the field of AI. On the initiative of the German-Finnish Chamber of Commerce (AHK) and in cooperation with other German partners – such as the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, and the appliedAI initiative – the free online course “Elements of AI” is also available in German. The University of Graz is a partner of the Austrian version of the course.
How to participate
Participation in the Elements of AI course does not require prior knowledge of higher mathematics, or computer science knowledge. The course can be completed in all official EU languages and at your own pace of learning. However, it is recommended to complete the course within six weeks. Each of the six chapters is divided into three learning units and requires about 5 to 10 hours of learning time. This means that the entire course can be completed in 30 to 60 hours. In terms of content, it’s about what artificial intelligence actually is, how it works, what is possible with it (and what is not), what applications already exist, how machine learning works, what neural networks are, and how artificial intelligence affects our lives. Each unit is completed with a short online test.
What are the topics?
The course covers the following topics:
- What is AI
- Solving problems with AI
- Real applications
- Machine learning
- Neural networks
- Impact of AI
In addition to the course, an online learning community in different languages is available for the participants to exchange.
After a positive degree, you can download a certificate of participation in the respective course language. For this purpose, at least 90% of the exercises must be completed, of which at least 50% successfully.
The free online course provides general basic knowledge and awareness of what the technology is and how it can be used. Designed for anyone interested in artificial intelligence, it aims to demystify AI – without complicated math or programming skills.
The course is well received internationally and was awarded the “German Design Award 2022” for its communication design. In addition, it was traded on Class Central – a search engine for MOOCs – in the category Computer Science Courses for a long time as the best offer.
What makes the Elements of AI online course a good practice?
The online course “Elements of AI” is considered a good practice, as it teaches broad sections of the population the fundamentals of artificial intelligence. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical exercises and examples, without requiring prior knowledge of higher mathematics or computer science. This course promotes understanding of AI and provides an inclusive learning environment in different languages. His international popularity and awards underscore his effectiveness in education in the field of artificial intelligence.
