What this course is about AI Foundations introduces you to the world of artificial intelligence — where it began, how it works, and how it’s shaping the future. You’ll explore AI’s history, learn how machines make predictions, understand language, analyze images, and learn using neural networks inspired by the human brain. Through a hands-on simulation, you’ll also build and test your own machine learning model, giving you real experience beyond theory. The course concludes with guidance on AI career paths so you can understand the opportunities available in this fast-growing field. As you complete the course, you’ll earn certificates and digital credentials that you can add to your resume, LinkedIn profile, and Credly account to highlight your AI knowledge. You’ll learn how to: Understand core AI concepts and terminology

• Explore how AI analyzes data, language, and images
• Build a simple machine learning model
• Plan how to pursue a career in artificial intelligence

What you will learn By the end of this course, you will be able to: Understand the history and evolution of AI

• Describe important milestones in AI development
• Understand how advancements in computing, data, and neural networks shaped modern AI
• Master foundational AI concepts
• Explain what AI, machine learning, and deep learning are
• Understand how Natural Language Processing (NLP) helps machines interpret text
• Recognize how computer vision enables machines to analyze and generate images
• Understand AI and data fundamentals
• Define structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data
• Understand how machine learning models use data to make predictions
• Describe three ways AI analyzes data
• Explore practical AI applications
• Understand how AI processes and creates images
• Explain generative AI and its impact in today’s world
• Learn responsible AI principles
• Understand AI ethics, fairness, transparency, and responsible deployment
• Get hands-on experience
• Build and test a machine learning model using IBM Watson Studio
• Explore how real AI tooling works in practice
• Explore AI career pathways

Learn about roles such as machine learning engineer, data scientist, AI researcher, NLP specialist, and more

• Understand the skills and learning paths needed to enter the AI field

Showcase your learning

• Earn certificates and digital credentials
• Add them to your resume, LinkedIn, and Credly profile to demonstrate your AI skills