The term artificial intelligence (AI) refers to a set of computer science techniques that enable systems to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decisionmaking and language translation. Machine learning and deep learning are branches of AI which, based on algorithms and powerful data analysis, enable computers to learn and adapt independently.

     Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer the future. For businesses, it is the here and now, and executive suites and boardrooms around the world see it as such. They might be expected to be wary, given that much is unknown, even among scientists, about how AI capabilities might develop in the coming years. Or that policymakers and regulators have barely begun to study its potential implications for markets and workforces. Many business leaders certainly expect AI to be disruptive. More than 40% of those surveyed for the study anticipate that AI will start displacing humans from some jobs in their industry within the next five years.

     Slightly more think their own role will be changed by AI in the same time frame. But they see this more as augmentation than marginalization. An overwhelming majority believe AI will make their job easier and help improve their own performance. They clearly believe it will do the same for the businesses they manage. Based on a global survey of 203 senior executives, companies in health and life sciences, in retail, in manufacturing and in financial services are actively testing the waters. Among this group, AI technologies and applications are in the exploratory phase at around one-third of companies, but another third have moved on to experimentation, and one-tenth have begun to utilize AI in limited areas. A small handful (2.5%) have even deployed it widely.

     Assuming minimal prior knowledge, this course provides complete coverage of the key aspects and topics in Artificial Intelligence today, including how all the technologies fit together into a complete solution, the applications of AI such as image and speech recognition, search, clustering, optimization, prediction, and understanding data, and how executives can start on their AI journeys.