Artificial Intelligence (AI) Master Class

This programme is primarily presented via remote lecturing.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will profoundly impact almost all companies in the years to come. The proliferation of Big Data, IoT and smartphones, and the ease of integration into open AI Learning Engines, have taken Machine Intelligence out of the domain of academia and made it one of the most considerable business opportunities for the foreseeable future. The impact of AI will be vast and profound, and it will be felt across the entire value chain.

Whatever the journey a company embarks upon, executives, managers and employees must be exposed to the latest generation of AI tools.

The AI Master Class course has been created:

To empower employees to make informed decisions about the benefits of AI within all areas of their organisations and to understand the practical and strategic implications of AI within a new digital ecosystem.

This course will aim to deliver three primary outcomes:
The first outcome is to provide a contextual framework of Artificial Intelligence tools that non-technical individuals can use in the business arena. This includes deeper insight into the use of Recurrent Neural networks and Transformers and their future growth prospects in the Business domain.

The second objective is to introduce the participant to a new generation of generative AI tools that can be adapted to enable the participant to enhance their business productivity and efficiency in their daily activities. These include enhanced report writing, presentations, improved internal communication and enhanced use of software productivity tools.

Thirdly, the course will provide unique insight into the latest management thinking and practices. Using these insights, the participations will be shown how to transform their existing business processes, how to manage the transformation and which business productivity and AI tools can be used to accomplish it. The business processes covered include marketing and branding, financial reporting, sales administration, IT project management, cybersecurity and corporate communication.

This is the core premise of this short course.

Purpose of the course

The training course is designed for:

• Executives and Managers who would like to obtain a deeper understanding of the contemporary Digital and AI landscapes and who want to increase their Strategic insight into the field of Digital Transformation.
• Managers and Employees who want to make their current processes more efficient without digging too deep into the technology.
• IT personnel and HR Managers who require an understanding of the skill-set change needed to harness new AI opportunities.
• Marketing Managers who want to map the personality profiles of their target market via Big Data and AI and create custom-fit digital advertising campaigns to target Markets-of-One.
• Sales Managers and Executives who would like to know how AI can provide them with better information on Sales leads.
• Risk officers who would like to understand how AI can significantly reduce risk and fraud within an organisation.
• Innovation and R&D executives who want to use AI to obtain a competitive advantage over their competitors.
• Strategy Officers who would like to understand the implications of a transformative Digital Strategy with AI at its core.


This course aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to:

• Identify and analyse the most appropriate AI tools for specific business needs.
• Use AI tools to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.
• Use generative AI tools to analyse large amounts of data and extract insights and predictions.
• Use generative AI tools to assist with customer service, marketing, and sales tasks.
• Understand the ethical and legal implications of using AI in business.
• Understand the potential impact of AI on business productivity and competitiveness.
• Understand the potential future developments in AI and their implications for business.
• Understand the role of AI in the context of the overall digital transformation strategy.
• Be able to apply the acquired knowledge and skills to real-world business scenarios

Admission requirements

Admission requirements
Participants must have completed management development programmes within the business and elsewhere for at least two years. A nomination and selection process is followed by the ‘Learning and Development Division’ in conjunction with line managers.
Learning assumed to be in place
To be selected for the AI Master Class, candidates must: Have a managerial position within the company; Have completed the induction programmes of the company; Show a willingness to manage in a changing technological environment.

Course outcomes and assessment criteria

Course outcomes and the associated assessment criteria

Outcomes

Assessment Criteria
After completion of this course, participants will demonstrate: Participant will be assessed on the following criteria:
  • an ability to use AI tools to significantly improve existing business activities and to transform business processes;
  • an integrated knowledge and understand of the overall context and history of AI and ML;
  • the integrative ability to develop a taxonomy of mathematical techniques and important information where AI or ML techniques are applicable or not;
  • the integrative ability to compare the applications of AI and ML;
  • the integrative ability to model the digital transformation journey that will enable executives to create a data-rich environment in which AI can thrive;
  • the integrative ability to create strategies and procedures in which AI can be used to make a meaningful difference to the organisation’s top and bottom line;
  • effective selection in discovering an application through a case study-driven overview of the various types of learning, training and model approaches used in AI;
  • an integrated knowledge and understanding of the key API and software tools and the pros and cons of each one; and
  • the integrative ability to compare the impact that AI will have on various areas within the value chain
  • apply critical thinking by comparing the differences and context of AI and ML.
  • develop an understanding of the different techniques by integrating that in the workplace.
  • Identify and critically analyse the core differences between AI and ML by assessing the two focus areas.
  • communicate and display knowledge and skills on the key elements by recommending solutions for implementation.
  • display an ability to develop and optimise the relevant strategies by articulating different scenarios.
  • integrate the learnings around AI and ML by managing and leading in all components of the enterprise.
  • introduce these tools and the impact they have on the ICT environment, particularly the telecommunication environment, by explaining the context to the other participants.
  • Work as part of a team between management and leadership by applying the outcomes in the workplace in a technologically advanced environment

 

Assessment
The assessment framework is built around the following: Self-assessment to embed the learning matter; Populating workbooks and study guides through group discussions and personal reflection; Peer-to-peer assessment is conducted in the contact sessions and is facilitated by the facilitator; Reflection is done to ensure an understanding of the knowledge areas that are covered; Course assignment reflecting the implementation of the learning matter.
Method of assessment
The subject experts and professionals presenting the different modules will facilitate the assessment and the assignment. The accreditation body will moderate the assignments and experts from industry and the final results will be submitted to the accreditation body for final approval and certification.

Additional information

Target group
This short learning program is designed exclusively for companies and is no longer available to individuals. Business Leaders and Managers, including current and future decision-makers and leaders within the organisation. The focus will be on the use of AI tools by non-technical employees.

Contact us

Contact person name
Institute for Technology Strategy & Innovation
Contact person e-mail
steve@itsi.org.za
Enquiry Form
Application Form