Artificial Intelligence Everywhere and For All

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In our modern world, Artificial Intelligence is taking on an ever-increasing role, with AI literacy becoming more important and in demand. That’s why the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada) recently announced the “Artificial Intelligence Everywhere” undergraduate course, with the first classes set to begin in January 2024. This course, offered in collaboration with Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), will serve as an introduction to the world of Artificial Intelligence and will be available to all U of A undergraduate students, regardless of discipline or area of study. As Bill Flanagan, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Alberta (U of A), explains it, “AI continues to reshape all aspects of society, so AI literacy is no longer an option but a necessity.”

In the future, Artificial Intelligence will be utilized across industries, from engineering to finance to health care and more. AI literacy and understanding will become a standard tool across sectors. The U of A is positioning its graduates by bridging the existing skill gap and empowering undergraduates to prepare for the future job market.

Already a globally recognized leader in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning research, there is hope that this first course will be the foundation for the development of one of the first Artificial Intelligence certification programs within Canada. According to Bill Flanagan, “The launch of ‘AI Everywhere’ as part of our in-development AI certification, builds on our expertise in AI education, and reaffirms our commitment to teach the next generation of leaders the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

“Artificial Intelligence Everywhere” really is as it sounds – the exploration of Artificial Intelligence as it is found everywhere, all around us in our world. Designed to be accessible to all – even those who begin knowing nothing about AI – the course provides a foundational understanding where students will engage in real-world AI projects, simulations, and case studies. The history of AI, dangers and pitfalls, frequent questions, and common fears will all be addressed within the course, as will exploring the ethical and social implications Artificial Intelligence may have on society. Cam Linke, CEO of Amii explains, “By equipping both technical and non-technical undergraduates with AI literacy skills, we are laying a strong foundation for a talented and versatile workforce… in a world where AI’s impact is everywhere, we need to have AI literacy be everywhere.”

Artificial Intelligence Everywhere has been designed by Adam White and Alona Fyshe, assistant professors of computing science at the University of Alberta, as well as Amii fellows, with White serving as the primary instructor for the course.

“Being one of the world’s leading research institutions on AI, this is an opportunity for us to share that knowledge,” Flanagan concludes. “It’s really important that we expand opportunities to learn about AI for people who aren’t studying computer science … but still want to know about AI and how it’s going to affect all of our lives. The U of A is committed to teaching the next generation of leaders the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world, and that increasingly includes an understanding of AI. It is an exciting time for our institution, for Amii – and for the future of AI – and I am proud that we are at the forefront.”

Interested in the University of Alberta? Applications are open for Fall 2024.

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