About 8. Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence

Intelligent Systems are revolutionising industry and changing the way we accomplish daily routines. They help to introduce flexibility, quality and energy efficiency to name a few to an increasing range of applications. For example, transportation, healthcare, education, and the defence sector. Intelligent Systems are enabled by various underpinning technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI offers opportunities to gain insights from data or perceive the environment to take intelligent actions that maximize the chances of performing a task faster or not previously possible. The growth in AI potential offers companies opportunities to reduce costs, increase productivity and introduce new products to the market. Therefore, people skilled in AI and its applications are in high demand. 

This unit is designed to introduce the science behind machine intelligence and the philosophical debate around the ambitions of simulating human intelligence to solve real-world problems. Students will be guided to appreciate AI types and applications and develop a better understanding of aspects related to intelligent agents. Other topics included in the unit covers Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Ambient Intelligence, the major differences between top-down and bottom-up approaches to AI, and understanding Machine Learning (ML) algorithms (e.g. SVM, Naïve Bayes, Random Forest and KNN) and processes including dataset preparation. 

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to investigate AI fundamentals including data gathering, validation, and processing. Additionally, how the results can be visualised and explained. They will also develop their skillset to study deployed Intelligent Systems and evaluate technical and ethical challenges and opportunities.