Artificial Intelligence: How to learn?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing field of study. Students interested in AI can study courses and programmes related to computer science, mathematics, psychology and logic, as well as specialise in specific areas such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing and robotics.

What is artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the field of computer science that seeks to develop algorithms and systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. These tasks include machine learning, natural language processing, visual and auditory perception, and decision-making.

AI has applications in a variety of fields, such as medicine, manufacturing, banking and finance, agriculture, transportation, cyber security and entertainment. However, it also raises ethical and legal concerns, such as the impact on employment and privacy, and the risk of developing systems that cannot be fully controlled or understood.

Training

• There are several options for obtaining training in artificial intelligence (AI). One option is to attend a university or college and obtain a degree in an AI-related field, such as computer science, mathematics, engineering, psychology or cognitive science. Students can choose to follow a specialisation pathway in AI or take individual courses in the subject.
• Another option is to take online training courses in AI. There are several online platforms, such as Coursera, Udemy and edX, that offer courses in AI and machine learning, and some universities also offer online certificate programmes in AI. These courses are an excellent way to gain a basic understanding of AI concepts and techniques.
• For those interested in developing practical AI skills, there are specialised training programmes and workshops that offer specific teachings in technologies such as natural language processing, deep learning and neural networks. These programmes are offered by technology companies and research labs.

Skills required

The competencies required to work in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) vary depending on the specific role, but generally include technical skills such as the following:

• Strong knowledge in mathematics, especially in areas such as calculus, linear algebra and probability
• Programming skills, especially in programming languages such as Python, R or Java
• Knowledge in statistics and machine learning
• Knowledge in neural networks and deep learning
• Knowledge in natural language processing (NLP) and image processing systems.

Career opportunities

There are several career opportunities available for those interested in working in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some of the most common include:

• AI researcher: AI researchers are dedicated to developing new algorithms and techniques to improve the ability of machines to learn and make decisions. This may include developing new approaches to machine learning, natural language processing and object recognition.
• AI systems developer: AI systems developers work to create applications and systems that use AI technologies to solve specific problems. This may include the design of recommender systems, personal assistance systems, fraud detection systems, among others.
• Data scientist: Data scientists use AI techniques to analyse large data sets and extract valuable information. This can include analysing social media data, tracking market trends and detecting patterns in large data sets.

Great possibilities for the future

Artificial Intelligence is a constantly evolving field and the possibilities for the future are varied and exciting. Some possibilities that are expected in the future include:

• Increased automation: it is expected that AI will continue to automate a wide variety of tasks. This could have a significant impact on the economy and jobs.
• Improved machine learning: AI is expected to continue to improve in its ability to learn autonomously. This could lead to greater accuracy in predictive models and better solutions to complex problems.
• Improved understanding of natural language: AI is expected to continue to improve its ability to understand natural language and to communicate with people more effectively.