Artificial Intelligence Demystified (online)



Overview

Artificial Intelligence Demystified: Opportunities and Value in Your Business (online) is a five-session course that sets out to demystify artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

It is for business managers and those who want a practical, business oriented introduction to AI and ML, to help unlock value from this powerful, emerging technology.

The course takes a 'vertical slice' approach, from strategy to implementation, helping you understand the threats and opportunities at a strategic level and how they relate to your business.

The course will show you how to find the specific opportunities and applications for AI/ML in your business by asking:

  • What is AI/ML good at and what can it be used for?
  • How can you match those capabilities to the needs of your business?
  • What could your business be doing in the future that it is not doing now by leveraging the power of AI/ML?
  • What new areas of business might be open to you?
  • What are the factors that would allow you to build a competitive advantage for your business using this technology?

You will be shown how to approach the task of finding the best opportunities within your business to leverage AI/ML, with the latter part of the course focusing on real applications.

  • Have you ever wondered what AI 'is'?
  • What does it look like in practice? How is AI/ML created?
  • How does it differ from traditional software programming?

Our tutor Dr Rob Collins in a screen-shot from a recent session of the AI Demystified Online course

Dates, Times and Delivery

This course will be delivered over five 90-minute sessions, live from our purpose-built broadcast studio. There will be opportunities to ask questions during the sessions, as well as via the online collaboration environment throughout the course.

The course will run from 10 - 14 March 2025, with sessions delivered over Microsoft Teams at 9.30am - 11.00am (UK time) on:

  • Monday 10 March
  • Tuesday 11 March
  • Wednesday 12 March
  • Thursday 13 March
  • Friday 14 March

All times listed are UK times. A world clock and time zone converter can be found here: https://bit.ly/3bSPu6D

This is a ‘virtual classroom’ course. To replicate the experience of a classroom, the sessions are ‘live’ and are not recorded.

No attendance at Oxford is required and you do not need to purchase any software.

Accessing Your Online Course 

Details about accessing the private MS Teams course site will be emailed to you during the week prior to the course commencing.  

Please get in touch if you have not received this information within three working days of the course start date. 

Programme details

  • The language of artificial intelligence and machine learning - what do the 'buzz words' mean?
  • Why is AI/ML different to traditional software programming?
  • AI/ML is already out there:
    • A view on the rapid emergence of this powerful technology
    • a broad view of current applications
  • Strategic analysis for your business: How could AI/ML impact your business - good and bad?
  • How can you leverage AI/ML?
    •  Reviewing your business processes to identify AI/ML opportunities and threats
  • Innovation and competitive advantage: What new things could your business be doing by leveraging this technology?
  • What kinds of skills/ knowledge/ support will your business need to use AI/ML?
  • Develop or buy in?
    • What factors should you consider in deciding between buying 'off the shelf' solutions vs development of your own company-specific solutions?
  • Practical AI/ML:
    • What does AI/ML look like?
    • How do we do it 'for real'?
    • Building working AI/ML applications

  • Using the techniques of AI/ML shown, you will create 'real' AI/ML models using one of the most popular software tools used in this area.

You will have the opportunity to download the computer tools used on the course, as they are available as open-source software or demonstration versions.

Who is this course for?

  • Managers and business leaders who need to understand the opportunities and threats to their business
  • Entrepreneurs and investors who want to learn how this technology might be leveraged for competitive advantage
  • Consultants and technologists who want to understand the capabilities of this technology and learn what it can do for them
  • Anybody who wants a succinct 'vertical slice' view of artificial intelligence from high-level strategy, through business processes and down to the level of real applications. 

If you are unsure, please contact us for further details.

Digital Certification

In order to be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you will need to attend the whole course. Participants who meet this criterion will be emailed after the end of the course with a link, and instructions on how to access their University of Oxford digital certificate. 

The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate, as well as share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee £465.00

Payment

Fees include electronic copies of course materials.

All courses are VAT exempt.

Register immediately online 

Click the “book now” button on this webpage. Payment by credit or debit card is required.

Tutor

Dr Rob Collins

Visiting Fellow

Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford

Dr Rob Collins is a visiting fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford and regularly teaches courses at the University. Dr Collins has taught on the MSc in Software Engineering through Oxford University’s Computing Laboratory for over 20 years. He currently teaches modules on Classical Machine Learning, Software Testing and Safety Critical Systems.

Dr Collins also teaches courses in Artificial Intelligence, Systems Thinking, Agile, Machine Learning, Design Thinking and Business Process Improvement. He regularly provides consultancy to industry in the area of Business Process Excellence, Artificial Intelligence and Systems Engineering. He gained his Black Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma from Lockheed Martin, the world's largest Systems Engineering company and a world-leader in advanced technology.

As well as his undergraduate degree in Physics and Computing, Dr Collins holds a PhD focussed on training, psychology and processes for introducing complex technology into learning environments. He completed an MBA in 2012 at Henley Business School, and so has a strategic business view as well as deep understanding and practical experience of hands-on process improvement in technology and service.

Application

If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying, please click on the 'Ask a question' button at the top of this page. 

IT requirements

This course is delivered online using Microsoft Teams. You will be required to follow and implement the instructions we send you to fully access Microsoft Teams on the University of Oxford's secure IT network. 

To participate you must be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification. 

It is advised to use headphones with working speakers and microphone. 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support