About this degree
Artificial Intelligence (AI) aims to teach students the techniques for building computer systems that exhibit intelligent behavior. AI is one of the most consequential applications of computer science, and is helping to solve complex real-world problems, from self-driving cars to facial recognition. This course will teach students the theory and techniques of AI, so that they understand how AI methods work under a variety of conditions. The course begins with an exploration of the historical development of AI, and helps students understand the key problems that are studied and the key ideas that have emerged from research. Then, students learn a set of methods that cover: problem solving, search algorithms, knowledge representation and reasoning, natural language understanding, and computer vision. Throughout the course, as they apply technical methods, students will also examine pressing ethical concerns that are resulting from AI, including privacy and surveillance, transparency, bias, and more. Course assignments will consist of short programming exercises and discussion- oriented readings. The course culminates in a final group project and accompanying paper that allows students to apply concepts to a problem of personal interet.
