Artificial intelligence, or AI, has been one of the most important areas of technological development in recent times. It has transformed a number of industries and even impacts people’s day-to-day lives. With such quick growth and advancements in AI, the demand for professionals in this domain has been on a steep rise. Enrolling in the right AI course can allow individuals to make the most of these career and growth opportunities.

Tips for choosing the right AI course

1. Consider the end goal
Before enrolling in an AI course, one must evaluate their end goal. For instance, after the course, one might wish to continue studying further to specialize in a particular field of AI. One might even wish to begin their career as an AI professional immediately after the course. Regardless of the end goal, one must evaluate if the course one is considering will help them achieve that. If one is unsure about their career goal in AI, one can also first research all the branches and areas of AI. These include machine learning, natural language processing, deep learning, etc. Reading about these will help one determine which particular branch they are interested in and choose a course accordingly.

2. Go through the course content
One must also review the course content when browsing for different AI courses. Knowing what topics a particular course teaches also helps determine if it is right for one’s career goals. One can also research how those topics are relevant to the AI technology being used today. Likewise, look for courses that cover the current advancements in AI. Check how thoroughly and comprehensively the topics are being covered in the course. Also, it is better to choose a course that offers a more hands-on approach to understanding the real-life applications of AI. Such practical knowledge can offer better insights into the purpose of learning AI and its impact.

3. Decide upon a course format
With the increasing demand for learning AI, various institutes and coaches offer AI courses in different formats. These include live or recorded online courses and classroom-based courses. Based on one’s requirements, flexibility, and comfort, one can choose the suitable format. Recorded online courses are the most flexible, as they allow one to study at any time. Live online courses are also flexible to a certain extent, as they allow one to enroll in distance learning from top universities. Classroom-based courses may not be as flexible, but they have the perk of offering a more interactive studying experience.

4. Consider the prerequisites
Another factor to consider before enrolling in an AI course is the prerequisites. Not all AI courses one will encounter will be for the same skill level. Some courses are designed for beginners, some for individuals with intermediate skill levels, and some for advanced skill levels. So before choosing a course, one would need to check what skill level the course is for and enroll based on one’s skills in this field. One must also check what other prerequisites are needed for the course. For instance, some beginner-level AI courses even require knowledge of programming languages and algorithms.

5. Read up about the institute and instructors
When browsing AI courses, along with the course format and content, one must also consider the institute or the coach offering the course. Choosing a course from a credible coach or a reputable institute will make a huge difference in one’s learning experience. It will even have a major impact on one’s career. So, before deciding upon a course, it is better to do some research about the entity offering the course. For instance, if the course is being offered by an institute, one must read up on who the teaching faculty is. One must also find out about the faculty members’ experience in teaching as well as in the field of AI. Along with that, check the credibility of the certificate or diploma offered by the institute.

6. Go through the feedback and reviews
Checking the feedback and reviews about the course from previous students can help one understand if the course material is helpful and relevant. They also give an idea about the instructors’ teaching methods and the usefulness of the projects they provide. Basically, they allow one to determine if a particular course is worth the time and money it demands.

Popular AI courses to consider
Based on all the key factors, including the reviews and credibility of the instructors, there are several good AI courses that one can consider.

– AI for Everyone: Master the Basics by IBM
– CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python by Harvard University
– Machine Learning and AI with Python by Harvard University
– Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning by Stanford University