Artificial intelligence (AI) has boomed in popularity and use in recent years and is now widely used. It’s transforming industry and the future of technology by enabling systems to learn and mimic human intelligence.

The BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence provides an introduction into key AI terminology and tools and what they mean for society.

The syllabus covers the following aspects of AI: its history, ethical and sustainable AI challenges, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and Machine Learning (ML) topics, key AI enablers like data, and the future of AI-human interaction in the workplace.

This certification offers a broad yet straightforward first step into navigating the constantly evolving AI landscape.

• An introduction to AI and historical development
  ○ State the definitions of key artificial intelligence terms
  ○ Identify key milestones in the development of artificial intelligence
  ○ Identify different types of AI
• Ethical and legal considerations
  ○ Identify the role of ethics in AI
  ○ State key ethical concerns in AI
  ○ Identify guiding principles in the use of ethical AI
• Enablers of artificial intelligence
  ○ List common examples of AI
  ○ Identify robotics in AI
  ○ Describe machine learning
  ○ Identify common machine learning concepts
• Finding and using data in artificial intelligence
  ○ State key data terms
  ○ Identify the characteristics of data quality
  ○ State the risks associated with handling data in AI
  ○ Identify data visualisation techniques and tools
  ○ State key generative AI terms
  ○ Identify the use of data in the Machine Learning process
• Using AI in your organisation
  ○ Identify opportunities for AI in your organisation
  ○ Identify project management approaches
  ○ Identify governance activities associated with implementing AI
• Future planning and impact – human plus machine
  ○ Describe the roles and career opportunities presented by AI
  ○ Identify AI uses in the real world
  ○ Identify AI’s impact on society
  ○ Describe the future of AI

You will gain a broad understanding of:

• Key terminology in AI.
• Key legal, ethical and regulatory considerations in AI.
• The use of AI in an organisation.
• The potential future impact of AI on society and business.

The BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial intelligence is suitable for individuals with an interest in exploring the basic functions and abilities of AI, and how these could impact an organisation.

Roles with a particular interest may be:

• Developers
• Information Technologists
• Project managers
• Product managers
• Chief information officers
• Chief finance officers
• Change practitioners
• Business domain staff
• Business consultants
• Business leaders
• Service managers
• Program and planning managers
• Service provider portfolio strategists / leads

Participants of the course who successfully pass the certification examination will be awarded the Artificial Intelligence Essentials Certificate.

• 20 multiple-choice questions
• 30 minutes maximum
• Closed-book
• 13 marks (65%) required to pass
• Supervised/Invigilated on-line format only.

There are no prerequisites to attending the course.