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Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Foundations of AI

On this course you will learn about the history of AI, Survey of AI, Philosophy of AI and engage with the Ancient Brain platform.

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    0 hours

Learn about the history of AI, Survey of AI and the Philosophy of AI.

This module will provide learners with a theoretical and practical grounding in the most important foundational topics in Artificial Intelligence, e.g. problem solving, knowledge and reasoning, machine learning and evolution, perceiving and acting.

What topics will you cover?

  • Topic 1: An introduction to Artificial Intelligence where we define and give a background to artificial intelligence and learn about the history of AI and its main themes.
  • Topic 2: AI survey and open issues in AI, including a description of the two broad camps of AI (Symbolic AI and Sub-Symbolic AI), a discussion about how competitions drive progress in AI, an overview of the continuum of Autonomy of machines and some open issues in AI.
  • Topic 3: Coding on Ancient Brain. An introduction to the online coding site where you will code in JavaScript and demonstrations on how to code on Ancient brain in JavaScript using the P5 library
  • Topic 4: Philosophy of AI which explores the philosophical issues surrounding AI.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the general topic of artificial intelligence.
  • Describe the philosophical foundations of AI and its present status.
  • Discuss Symbolic and Sub-Symbolic AI and Cross AI topics and how competitions are driving progress in AI.
  • Develop, modify and explore code using the coding site 'Ancient Brain'.
  • Explore possible future developments in AI.
  • Discuss the origins of AI as they pertain to the fields of Science and Engineering.

Who is the course for?

The course is aimed at IT professionals in employment in Republic of Ireland registered companies. To qualify for direct entry they must have a Level 8 Honours Degree (2.2) or higher in Computer Science, Computing, Computer Applications or a related discipline. Applicants without these entry requirements (e.g., Level 7 degree or lower than an Honours 2.2 in a Level 8 degree) may be considered if they can demonstrate previously obtained competence equivalent to the entry requirements.

What software or tools do you need?

We will be using the Ancient Brain, an online coding site on which we can write programs in the browser.

You do not need to download any software as everything can be coded, edited and run in the browser.

Who will you learn with?

Dr. Mark Humphrys is a lecturer at DCU. He has a BSc from UCD and a PhD from Cambridge. His research interests are in AI. He is the inventor of the coding site "Ancient Brain".

Who developed the course?

Dublin City University

Dublin City University is a young, dynamic and ambitious Irish university with a distinctive mission to transform lives and societies through education, research and innovation.

Endorsers and supporters

funded by

Skillnet Ireland

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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