Certificate in Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
Want to develop your career in AI, but need the introductory skills and knowledge? Your journey starts here.
In today’s business landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has become imperative for sustained success. Almost all industries are witnessing a transformative shift towards AI-driven solutions, redefining operational paradigms and enhancing productivity. The demand for proficient AI practitioners is only on the rise.
Working in partnership with TU Dublin, Krisolis, and the Women in AI Ireland Chapter, we have developed an award-winning* 12-week online Certificate in Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (Level 8 NFQ – 10 ECTS) as a direct response to this challenge.
AI can enhance operational efficiency, and those who are knowledgeable in this area can identify opportunities to streamline processes and increase productivity. The course provides a comprehensive curriculum designed by industry experts, helping you to acquire a competitive edge in harnessing AI’s potential for your business.
Who is this course for?
This course is uniquely designed for anyone who wants to understand the foundations of artificial intelligence and its respective technologies but who do not necessarily have a background in AI or a related area. It provides students with the fundamental skills and knowledge required to start a career in artificial intelligence, pursue higher education, or gain advanced insights that complement their current role.
Suitable course candidates include:
- Professionals looking to enhance their current roles through AI upskilling.
- Leaders striving to acquire the skills necessary for effective team management and communication in AI contexts.
- Individuals contemplating a transition into AI roles or higher education.
- Recent graduates from different fields interested in integrating AI knowledge to complement their expertise.
- Returnees to the workforce after a career break, aiming to acquire up-to-date AI skills.
* Winner of ‘Digital Skills Initiative of the Year’ at the 2024 Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards.
The course will run over 12 weeks, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 9.00pm as a live classroom event. The course material will include video recordings as well as readings, exercises, and assignments.
This course provides one-to-one mentoring to guarantee that you derive maximum benefits from your learning journey. You will have the chance to receive guidance from a knowledgeable mentor who will assist you during the course.
Course partner Krisolis will be responsible for the delivery of the programme, including classes, mentoring and marking of final assessments.
Content for the Certificate in Foundations of Artificial Intelligence is delivered across the following classes:
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: We’ll explore what AI is, its component parts, applications, and use cases.
- The Mathematical Foundations of AI: This section will introduce the underlying mathematical foundations that underpin decision making and Artificial Intelligence.
- Using an Agile Framework and Designing and Architecting AI Solutions: Following an overview of the CRISP-DM and Agile methodologies, we will explore how these methodologies can be leveraged to create an Agile Framework for running AI projects.
- Ethical Practice in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Analytics: We will examine the social, legal, and ethical issues relevant to the design and development of Artificial Intelligence solutions.
- AI Tools and Ecosystems: In AI things are always changing. We’ll look at some of the current and emerging AI toolsets and ecosystems.
- Data Visualisation: We’ll cover the fundamentals of data visualisation needed to create compelling visualisations from data, along with the practical skills to do this.
- Programming with Python: The Python language is one of the most powerful and flexible tools in the AI toolkit. This section introduces Python programming and how to use it to perform data manipulation and data analysis tasks.
Capstone Project
Students have the option to select their capstone project from a group of sample projects or create their own on any subject.
The capstone project topic will be determined by the student halfway through the course. Mentoring sessions will be arranged to aid in project development. The project, along with personal reflections, will be completed and submitted at the end of the course.
This course serves as a stepping stone to further education and career progression. At the end of this 12-week course, you will have gained a thorough understanding of the foundations of artificial intelligence and be ready to further your AI journey.
Upon successful completion, you will be able to
- Describe what artificial intelligence is and outline the component parts of the domain.
- Design and validate use cases for applying artificial intelligence to create effective solutions.
- Curate, organise and analyse data for artificial intelligence projects.
- Develop a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence through research and the documentation of AI finding
- Explain the importance and considerations of ethics and social justice in designing and developing artificial intelligence solutions
Academic Eligibility
Applicants need to possess a Level 8 (NFQ) Primary Degree, ideally but not necessarily, in a cognitive discipline and will be expected to have an appreciable level of quantitative aptitude. Applicants with relevant IT-work experience and IT-oriented Level-7 qualifications can apply to be considered for application. These applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
For candidates who do not meet this minimum entry requirement, TU Dublin operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme whereby applicants may be considered based on relevant work or other experiences. Please note TU Dublin is the sole arbitrator on who is accepted on the course. Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet only assesses your eligibility for funding.
For applicants whose first language is not English, please note the English language entry requirements.
Fees
2025 Course Fees:
To be confirmed.
2024 Course Fees (for reference):
Full Course Fee: €1,259
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet Grant: €364
Subsidised Course Fee: €895**
Subsidised fees are only available to eligible applicants.
**Funding Eligibility
Applicants must be working in a private or commercial semi-state organisation registered in the Republic of Ireland (Business, Consultant, Freelancer) to avail of the grant-aided fees. As a government-funded training network, we can only support those meeting these criteria.
Applicants who do not meet our funding criteria may be able to apply directly to Krisolis and pay the full course fee if there are available places.
Once you have received your offer of a place on the course, please be aware that we have a limited number of subsidised places available. Due to high demand, we cannot hold places without payment. To ensure fairness, priority for these places will be granted to those who have both completed full payment of the subsidised fee and are deemed eligible by the college or training provider.
2024 applications are now closed. Please complete the “Enquire Now” form to be notified when the 2025 course is announced.
Once applications open, click the Apply Now button on this page and ensure you attach your up-to-date CV for assessment of funding eligibility.
After funding approval, applicants will be directed to TU Dublin to complete their official college application, where their academic eligibility will be assessed.
Please note: TU Dublin is the final arbitrator regarding acceptance onto the course.
Important: Due to high levels of interest each year, the course will close once capacity is reached. We strongly advise taking prompt action once you receive notification from us.
Krisolis
Krisolis is a leading consultancy firm specialising in data analytics and artificial intelligence solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies, Krisolis empowers organisations to harness the full potential of their data. Their team of experts combines extensive industry experience with a passion for driving actionable insights and strategic value.
TU Dublin
TU Dublin is Ireland’s 1st Technological University. As such, its education programmes concentrate on the real-world practice of technology. TU Dublin’s Faculty of Computing, Digital and Data is a leading provider of high-level ICT programmes in a wide range of technology areas, including software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Women in AI
The Women in AI Ireland Chapter is a vibrant community dedicated to promoting gender diversity and inclusivity within the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Composed of passionate professionals and enthusiasts, the chapter actively supports and empowers women in various AI-related disciplines.
View our information webinar to discover everything you need to know about the course!
00:01 Introduction
02:24 Meet the team
04:00 Women In AI Welcome Address
08:55 Programme Details
10:50 What will I learn
14:45 How will I learn
19:20 Should I take this programme
22:35 Student Experience
31:20 How to Apply
33:00 Q&A Student questions answered
