Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept, it is a present-day force reshaping industries, workflows, and decision-making across the global economy. This course introduces the core ideas, methods, and applications of AI, with a focus on how business professionals can engage with this fast-moving field responsibly and strategically.

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AI Essentials
This course is part of AI Foundations for Business Professionals Specialization

Instructor: Matthias Holweg
Included with
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Understand the core concepts behind machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning.
Identify practical applications and limitations of AI across industries.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know

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July 2025
4 assignments
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There are 5 modules in this course
AI is transforming how decisions are made, insights are generated, and value is created across every industry. In this course, you’ll learn how AI systems work, what makes them different from traditional tools, and where their real power lies. You’ll also explore the ethical risks they pose, and what it takes to lead AI initiatives with clarity and care.
What's included
2 readings
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries, redefining how organisations make decisions, create value, and interact with customers. In this module, you'll explore what AI really is, how it works, and why understanding its potential, and its limitations, is essential for responsible leadership.
What's included
3 videos5 readings1 assignment6 plugins
Artificial intelligence may feel like a modern breakthrough, but its roots stretch back over 80 years. In this module, you’ll trace the intellectual and technical evolution of AI, understanding how each generation of research has influenced today’s capabilities. You’ll also explore why expectations often outpace reality, and how tools like the Gartner Hype Cycle help us think more critically about AI’s path from experimental concept to business-ready solution. With this historical context, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate where AI is going, and what questions we should be asking next.
What's included
1 video4 readings2 assignments5 plugins
AI is no longer theoretical; it’s powering tools that detect fraud, recommend products, diagnose diseases, and generate content. In this module, you’ll explore the core types of machine learning, the role of neural networks, and the real-world capabilities and limitations of the AI systems used in business today.
What's included
2 videos4 readings1 assignment2 plugins
This final module consolidates your learning from across the course and invites you to reflect on how AI can be used responsibly and effectively in your own context. You’ll revisit the key themes of prediction, value creation, ethics, and oversight, then apply your knowledge through a peer reviewed assignment that challenges you to create an AI implementation strategy for an insurance company.
What's included
4 readings1 peer review
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Instructor

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Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
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