The rapidly growing
importance of artificial intelligence (AI) shows that it is the skill of the
future. Indeed, currently, the demand for people having skills and knowledge of
AI and machine learning (ML) outpaces the supply. It is estimated that by 2030,
the AI market will contribute over 15 trillion US dollars to the world economy.
For those interested, an advanced artificial intelligence course will help open up career avenues and greatly enhance career
prospects.
Why AI?
Artificial intelligence (AI) builds
intelligent machines that can make and carry out decisions similar to human
beings. AI allows these machines to absorb and synthesize data similar to how a
human mind works, before finally coming up with a final decision. AI depends on
deep learning, natural language processing, neural networks, and analysis.
Machine learning (ML) is a specialised subset of AI. Here, computer systems use
self-generated feedback (through trial and error) and data to perform tasks
without any instructions from programmers.
AI and ML are more widely used today than most people realise. A popular example of machine learning is the algorithm on social media apps such as Facebook and Instagram. Top banks and financial institutions use machine learning for fraud detection and self-driving cars are also an example of AI and ML.
For those looking for exciting,
revolutionary, and in-demand jobs, this is the right time to take up an advance
artificial intelligence course. And if you are a working professional or you
want to take up a course that’s not in the same state or even country as you
are in, don’t worry. Some of the best artificial intelligence and machine
learning courses are available online.
Where
to start?
When it comes to the best introductory course
on AI and ML, you can’t go wrong with Professor Andrew Ng’s course on Machine
Learning. It is available on Coursera and is offered by Stanford University.
The course introduces students to the core ideas of machine learning. It
provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of computer science,
mathematics, and statistics, which form the basis of ML.
Why advance
artificial intelligence?
Once students have covered the basics and
have a solid and robust knowledge of the fundamentals, they need to move on to
more advanced learning. The idea is that the advanced AI courses should build
on the base of the fundamentals and expand from there. So, the advanced AI courses should have the
following two features
●
They should
cover more diverse and advanced topics than the introductory course
● They should have a highly specialised emphasis
on AI or ML
How
to select an advanced AI course?
A high-quality advanced AI course should fulfil the criterion given below:
- The course should not have a marked emphasis on any
particular programming tool or framework, such as Python
- The course should ideally be offered by universities
providing a strong focus on a theoretical foundation
- The course should be taught by renowned researchers
or university teachers
- The course should not be focused on data engineering, data
science, digital analytics, and applied statistics. While these subjects
are important, the course you select should be focused purely on machine
learning and artificial intelligence.
There is no dearth of artificial
intelligence and machine learning courses available today, which makes it
trickier to select a worthwhile one. A high-quality course should be beneficial
for intermediate and advanced students and the list above will help separate
the wheat from the chaff.
Top advanced
AI courses
Wading through pages of research trying to
narrow down the best course can be a daunting task. So to make things easier,
here is a list of the top advanced AI
courses available online today categorised into three groups:
- Deep learning and
general machine learning
- ‘Machine Learning’ by George Tech
available on Udacity. This is a comprehensive machine learning course
covering supervised and unsupervised learning, randomised optimisation
techniques, introductory game theory concepts, and reinforcement learning
- ‘Advanced Machine Learning Specialisation’
available on Coursera by National Research University Higher School of
Economics. This is a set of five courses by Russian researchers covering
foundational concepts and practical deep learning techniques
- ‘Machine Learning Fundamentals’ available
on edX by University of California San Diego. This course teaches core
machine learning theoretical and practical concepts with an emphasis on
algorithmic issues
- ‘Machine Learning’ by the California
Institute of Technology taught by Professor Yaser Abu-Mostafa. It teaches
learning theory as well as the deep mathematical aspects of machine
learning.
- Reinforcement
Learning
- ‘Reinforcement Learning’ by George Tech
available on Udacity. Perhaps the most comprehensive course on the
subject, it covers a wide range of topics such as Q-learning, Bandit
problem, goal abstraction techniques, Rmax analysis, Temporal Difference
(TD) learning, and much more.
- ‘Practical Reinforcement Learning’
available on Coursera by National Research University Higher School of
Economics. This is also a comprehensive and practical type course
covering a range of topics. However, it does not include game theory and
focuses more on Q-Learning.
- AI and Game Theory
- ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’
available on Udacity. This is perhaps the most comprehensive core AI
course and is taught by renowned researchers Peter Norvig and Sebastian
Thrun. It covers a huge range of topics from Markov processes,
representational logic, robotics, and much more.
- ‘Artificial Intelligence’ available on edX
offered by Columbia University.
This is a good course that covers a broad range of essential
topics such as the history of AI, logic, games, computer vision, and so
on.
- ‘Game Theory’ available on Coursera offered by
Stanford University. This is a great course for learning all that is to
do with game theory such as Mixed strategy, Subgame perfect, Bayesian
game, and so on.
Summing
up
Artificial intelligence is an exciting field that makes the dreams of the future possible today. It is also a field with a growing need for skilled people. So take the first step to a brighter future by enrolling in a course designed to teach you all about AI.
