This Professional Academy Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business course will allow you to explore the concepts, opportunities, and challenges presented by this technology. Artificial Intelligence is integrated into many of the services we use daily. In this course, you will learn what Artificial Intelligence really is in practical terms, and what the implications are for businesses, employees, and society. You will learn about different technologies and applications across diverse industries, geographies, and functions. You will learn how to manage the people-process-technology balance to maximise the value of Artificial Intelligence in your organisation. This course is designed for those who wish to learn how to communicate the opportunities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence in an informed and effective way. For those who wish to take on a leadership role driving implementation, or even just to understand how this technology will transform the nature of their work, this course will provide a guide for you in understanding both the theory and the real practical capabilities and implications of this technology.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Explain the core concepts, terminology and role of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Transformation
• Examine the capabilities of the 3 common types of Artificial Intelligence and how they can be used to drive greater organisational efficiency and effectiveness
• Analyse how to link business and technical capabilities of an organisation to influence strategy and build competitive advantage
• Evaluate the People-Process-Technology balance implications in leveraging Artificial Intelligence
• Assess the ethical, social, legal and governance considerations of Artificial Intelligence along with the trends that will influence and shape future workforces

Course Breakdown

Module 1. An Introduction to Artificial Intelligience

Explore the history, myths, capabilities, and commoditisation of AI.

Topics covered:

• History of AI

• Myths and capabilities of AI

• Commoditisation of AI

• Review of key terminology

Module 2. Digital Transformation

Discover how organisations are achieving significantly greater performance through the digital transformation of their processes. Digital transformation has four domains - tech, data, process, and change management.

Topics covered:

• The domains of digital transformation

• Streamlining processes

• Change management and integration

Module 3. Process Automation Technology

Discover the opportunities, challenges, and implications of AI-powered process automation systems. Look at the application of robotic process automation (RPA) across industries, geographies, and functions.

Topics covered:

• Application of RPA

• Decreasing cost bases

• Increasing profitability

• Strategic implications

Module 4. Cognitive Insight Technology

Explore the opportunities, challenges, and implications of machine learning systems. Discover how machine learning is used in different industries, geographies, and functions.

Topics covered:

• Capabilities of machine learning systems
• Using machine learning
• Policy considerations
• Strategic threats, opportunities, and applications

Module 5. Cognitive Engagement Technology

Learn how natural language processing is used in different industries, geographies, and functions.

Topics covered:

• Natural language processing systems

• Opportunities and threats

• Policy considerations

Module 6. Industry Developments

With the use of case studies, learn about how Artificial Intelligence is implemented in organisations across different industries, geographies, and functions. Discover best practices from the applications of Artificial Intelligence in different contexts.

Topics covered:

• Artificial Intelligence across industries
• Challenges, Trends, and Implications
• Innovations in Ireland

Module 7. Capability Strategy

Learn about the key capabilities that organisations need to build to harness the benefits of Artificial Intelligence, and develop a strategically focused, visionled approach.

Topics covered:

• Business capabilities
• Technical Capabilities
• Scaling business processes
• Building compliance by design
• Managing risk
• Governance implications
• Change management concerns

Module 8. Strategy and Implementation

Develop the knowledge and perspective required to implement Artificial Intelligence and build competitive advantage. Discover how to evaluate organisational capability in areas such as technical skills, technology know-how, integration with cloud projects, employee/vendor decisions, and PM responsibilities.

Topics covered:

• AI Maturity
• Creating an AI journey
• Building competitive advantage
• Joining the dots

Module 9. The People Process – Technology Balance

Learn about the importance of the People-Process-Technology balance in implementing Artificial Intelligence.

Topics covered:

• The People - Process - Technology Framework
• Strategic Implications for Artificial Intelligence Implementation

Module 10. Societal and Legal Implications of AI

Understand the societal and legal implications of Artificial Intelligence

Topics covered:

• Society and AI
• Legal Aspects
• Data protection implications - particularly GDPR
• Regulatory Frameworks both at an Irish State and EU level

Module 11. Ethical Dimensions of AI

Examine the ethical dimensions of Artificial Intelligence.

Topics covered:

• Bias and AI
• Morality and Responsibility in the AI era
• The importance of building strong governance capabilities

Module 12. The Workforce of the Future

Discover how Artificial Intelligence will influence the development of human capital in the workforce of the future. Examine your own organisational challenges and opportunities.

Topics covered:

• Human capital value in the age of AI
• Characteristics of the future workforce
• Implications for whitecollar work
• Workforce empowerment
• Scaling employees and preventing job destruction
• Challenges and opportunities in your own professional context

Course Assessment:

The goal of the case study is to explore and demonstrate an understanding of how Artificial Intelligence is presently transforming a particular industry. Learners will do this by bringing together all the concepts and insights that they have developed, particularly from organisation-based case studies explored in the course so far and apply it from an industry perspective.

The business report will bring together all the concepts and insights that learners have amassed and developed to apply to their own professional context. This will demonstrate the depth of understanding of the opportunities, challenges and wider implications of Artificial Intelligence and how they can influence its implementation within an organisation.

AI for Business Testimonials:

"A fantastic course that really helped provide a solid foundation in AI and its applications in a business context. Alan, the lecturer, was amazing; not only was he very knowledgeable about the subject but he was also able to explain the concepts in simple and engaging way. I would highly recommend this course and I cannot wait to start the brand new Advanced AI course that UCD Professional Academy have just launched." -- Ian Jackson

"This is a transformational course that demystifies Artificial Intelligence and it changed how I view this cutting-edge technology. From chatbots to predictive analytics, to robotics to autonomous vehicles, the course and accompanying material covers it all and more. If you want understand the history, core concepts, types of AI, and their application for organizational efficiency, the integration of AI with people, processes, and technology, while addressing the ethical, societal, legal, and governance considerations, along with workforce trends, then this course is definitely for you. I now have a firm understanding of AI and how it connects to business needs as part of digital transformation initiatives and looking forward to continuing my journey with AI." -- William Patrick Doyle

Trainer: UCD