When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 9 modules in this course
Designed as an introduction to the evolving area of AI, this course emphasizes potential business applications and related managerial insights. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the science behind systems that can program themselves to classify, predict, and offer solutions based on structured and unstructured data.
For millennia, humans have pondered the idea of building intelligent machines. Ever since, AI has had highs and lows, demonstrated successes and unfulfilled potential. Today, AI is empowering people and changing our world. Netflix recommends movies, Amazon recommends popular products, and several EV manufacturers are working to perfect self-driving cars that can navigate safely around other vehicles without human assistance. More recently, Generative AI (e.g., OpenAI’s GPT-4, and variants of this concept such as Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude or Microsoft’s Copilot) has revolutionized and energized imaginations and expectations with multi-modal capabilities. Businesses are scrambling to suitably adjust AI strategies across multiple domains and industries.
This course focuses on how AI systems understand, reason, learn and interact; learn from industry’s experience on several AI use cases. It seeks to help students develop a deeper understanding of machine learning (ML) techniques and the algorithms that power those systems and propose solutions to real-world scenarios leveraging AI methodologies. Students will also learn the estimated size and scope of the AI market, its growth rate, expected contribution to productivity metrics in business operations.
Welcome to AI in Business! Designed as an introduction to the evolving area of AI, this course emphasizes potential business applications and related managerial insights. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the science behind systems that can program themselves to classify, predict, and offer solutions based on structured and unstructured data.
For millennia, humans have pondered the idea of building intelligent machines. Ever since, AI has had highs and lows, demonstrated successes and unfulfilled potential. Today, AI is empowering people and changing our world. Netflix recommends movies, Amazon recommends popular products, and several EV manufacturers are working to perfect self-driving cars that can navigate safely around other vehicles without human assistance. More recently, Generative AI (e.g., OpenAI’s GPT-4, and variants of this concept such as Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude or Microsoft’s Copilot) has revolutionized and energized imaginations and expectations with multi-modal capabilities. Businesses are scrambling to suitably adjust AI strategies across multiple domains and industries.
This course focuses on how AI systems understand, reason, learn and interact; learn from industry’s experience on several AI use cases. It seeks to help students develop a deeper understanding of machine learning (ML) techniques and the algorithms that power those systems, and propose solutions to real world scenarios leveraging AI methodologies. Students will also learn the estimated size and scope of the AI market, its growth rate, expected contribution to productivity metrics in business operations.
In Module 1, in addition to introducing AI, this module familiarizes students with (a) key aspects of AI’s evolutionary history and the related advances in semiconductor computer chips, (b) current global AI market size, expected compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) and market forecasts until 2030 and beyond, and (c) corresponding trends that contributed to AI’s impressive growth potential.
Size of Global AI Market and Growth Rate Part 2•6 minutes
Evaluating Where AI Stands Now on Multiple Dimensions•6 minutes
Technology Catalysts For AI’s Development - Part 1•7 minutes
Technology Catalysts For AI’s Development - Part 2•5 minutes
Evaluating Where AI Stands Now•8 minutes
Technology Catalysts for AI Development•13 minutes
5 readings•Total 200 minutes
Syllabus•10 minutes
What Does AI Represent or Mean? Reviewing Basic Definitions and AI History•60 minutes
Size of AI Market and Growth Rate•60 minutes
Key Technology Catalysts for AI’s Development•60 minutes
Module 1 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
What Does AI Represent or Mean? Reviewing Basic Definitions and AI History Quiz•15 minutes
Size of AI Market and Growth Rate Quiz•15 minutes
Key Technology Catalysts for AI’s Development Quiz•15 minutes
Module 1 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Meet and Greet Discussion•10 minutes
Module 2: Defining and Clarifying AI and Machine-Learning Concepts
Module 2•7 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, students learn several components embedded within the broad AI domain; they will also understand (a) several types of machine learning (supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement and deep learning); (b) types of Artificial Neural Networks; (c) System1/System 2 thinking, legal issues in AI/ML and problems in aligning machine and human goals in AI/ML applications.
What's included
11 videos4 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 58 minutes
Module 2 Introduction•2 minutes
The Broad AI/Machine Learning Domain - Part 1•7 minutes
The Broad AI/Machine Learning Domain - Part 2•5 minutes
The Meaning of Learning in AI and ML Models - Part 1•3 minutes
The Meaning of Learning in AI and ML Models - Part 2•7 minutes
The Meaning of Learning in AI and ML Models - Part 3•8 minutes
The Meaning of Learning in AI and ML Models - Part 4•7 minutes
The Meaning of Learning in AI and ML Models - Part 5•7 minutes
Legal Issues and the Alignment Problem•6 minutes
Key Factors for Designing AI Agents and ML Models•2 minutes
Other Key Considerations for Business System 1 - System 2 Thinking•4 minutes
4 readings•Total 190 minutes
The Broad AI/Machine Learning Domain•60 minutes
Understanding What Learning Truly Means in AI/ML•60 minutes
AI Agents - Design/Legal Considerations and Alignment with Human Values/Goals; System 1/System 2 Thinking•60 minutes
Module 2 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
The Broad AI/Machine Learning Domain Quiz•15 minutes
Understanding What Learning Truly Means in AI/ML Quiz•15 minutes
AI Agents - Design/Legal Considerations and Alignment with Human Values/Goals; System 1/System 2 Thinking Quiz•15 minutes
Module 2 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Module 3: AI and Technology Convergence
Module 3•7 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, students will learn about contributions to AI progress from (a) fully-evolved and midstream (and still evolving) technologies; (b) midstream and still-evolving technologies, as well as emergent technologies, and (c) insights from Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns to learn how the creative integration of multiple technologies over time accelerates AI progress.
What's included
10 videos5 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
10 videos•Total 73 minutes
Module 3 Introduction•2 minutes
Technologies that Impact AI-ML•8 minutes
Fully Evolved (and Older) Technologies that Impact AI - Part 1•10 minutes
Fully Evolved (and Older) Technologies that Impact AI - Part 1•8 minutes
More Midstream and Still Evolving Technologies that Impact AI - Part 1•9 minutes
More Midstream and Still Evolving Technologies that Impact AI - Part 2•6 minutes
Technologies Introduced in the 21st Century that Impact AI - Part 1•8 minutes
Technologies Introduced in the 21st Century that Impact AI - Part 2•8 minutes
Emergent Technologies that Will Likely Be Integrated with AI•5 minutes
Leveraging Kurzweil’s Law to Understand Implications•9 minutes
5 readings•Total 200 minutes
AI Progress Based on Contributions from Fully-Evolved Technologies•60 minutes
AI Progress Based on Contributions From Midstream or Still Evolving, and Emergent Technologies•60 minutes
Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns; Updated/New Turing Tests and Standards; Other Recent AI Approaches Such as Affective Computing and BCI (Brain-Computer Interface)•60 minutes
Module 3 Summary•10 minutes
Insights from an Industry Leader: Learn More About Our Program•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
AI Progress Based on Contributions from Fully-Evolved Technologies Quiz•15 minutes
AI Progress Based on Contributions From Midstream or Still Evolving, and Emergent Technologies Quiz•15 minutes
Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns; Updated/New Turing Tests and Standards; Other Recent AI Approaches Such as Affective Computing and BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) Quiz•15 minutes
Module 3 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Module 4: AI Abilities Versus Human Abilities, Human/Machine Collaboration
Module 4•7 hours to complete
Module details
The focus of this module is on the abilities of AI that are assessed in the context of what we know about human abilities; students will learn about human-AI collaboration, understand key advantages and disadvantages associated with AI. Additionally, students will be exposed to a variety of AI/ML use cases (or application examples in the business context); this will help increase their familiarity with AI/ML deployment across several industries, and companies within an industry.
What's included
9 videos4 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 57 minutes
Module 4 Introduction•2 minutes
Assessing Human and AI Abilities•10 minutes
Scale Development - Focus on Tasks - Part 1•6 minutes
Scale Development - Focus on Tasks - Part 2•5 minutes
AI’s Advantages and Disadvantages•8 minutes
Key Limitations of AI - Part 1•6 minutes
Key Limitations of AI - Part 2•6 minutes
AI/ML Use Cases or Appropriate Contexts - Part 1•9 minutes
AI/ML Use Cases or Appropriate Contexts - Part 2•6 minutes
4 readings•Total 190 minutes
Assessing Human and AI Abilities•60 minutes
Advantages and Disadvantages of AI•60 minutes
AI/ML Use Cases•60 minutes
Module 4 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Assessing Human and AI Abilities Quiz•15 minutes
Advantages and Disadvantages of AI Quiz•15 minutes
AI/ML Use Cases Quiz•15 minutes
Module 4 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Module 5: AI’s Impact on Work, Jobs, Humans, Productivity
Module 5•7 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we assess AI’s impact from two opposing perspectives: first, students will learn the very impressive productivity gains expected from AI for the foreseeable future along with the corresponding rise in AI investments/infrastructure and GDP growth; second, predictions of dramatic job losses from AI/ML adoption that unfortunately presents a sobering view. Finally, students will assess the challenges associated with modeling human judgment with machine learning, explore the implications of automation and the AI Chasm.
What's included
11 videos6 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 68 minutes
Module 5 Introduction•2 minutes
Predictions - Generative AI Driven Productivity Impact - Part 1•5 minutes
Predictions - Generative AI Driven Productivity Impact - Part 2•6 minutes
Predictions - Generative AI Driven Productivity Impact - Part 3•7 minutes
Generative AI Impact From Academic Research Studies•9 minutes
Impact of AI on Job Losses•9 minutes
AI/ML Approaches to Model Human Judgment - Part 1•9 minutes
AI/ML Approaches to Model Human Judgment - Part 2•5 minutes
AI/ML Approaches to Model Human Judgment - Part 3•4 minutes
AI/ML Models of Human Judgment; AI Chasm and Three Related Gaps Quiz•15 minutes
Module 5 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Module 6: AI’s Impact Assessment from Other Dimensions - Multiple Perspectives
Module 6•7 hours to complete
Module details
This module focuses on comparisons and contrasts at multiple levels; for example, at the company level, focusing on company-specific AI strategies may generate insights on successful approaches to leverage the company’s strengths. Similarly, focusing on nations sensitizes students to regional/cultural/political forces shaping the adoption and deployment of AI; an industry specific focus may generate many use cases that students can learn from; and finally, focusing on specific business functions within a company may be an thoughtful exercise to tightly integrate AI deployment within a company across its business functions. The discussion in this module emphasizes many AI use cases.
What's included
11 videos4 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 64 minutes
Module 6 Introduction•1 minute
Needs and Friction Points•8 minutes
Worries, Biases, Challenges, Limitations, AGI - Part 1•5 minutes
Worries, Biases, Challenges, Limitations, AGI - Part 2•8 minutes
Worries, Biases, Challenges, Limitations, AGI - Part 3•5 minutes
Worries, Biases, Challenges, Limitations, AGI - Part 4•6 minutes
AI Applications in Business - Focus on Top Ranking Firms - Part 1•7 minutes
AI Applications in Business - Focus on Top Ranking Firms - Part 2•7 minutes
AI Applications in Specific Business Functions - Part 1•8 minutes
AI Applications in Specific Business Functions - Part 2•4 minutes
AI Applications in Specific Industries-Institutions•5 minutes
4 readings•Total 190 minutes
Friction Points, Worries, Biases, Challenges and Limitations Associated with AI•60 minutes
AI Strategy and Deployment at Top-Ranked Firms, and at Specific Business Functions•60 minutes
AI Use Cases in Specific Industries•60 minutes
Module 6 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Friction Points, Worries, Biases, Challenges and Limitations Associated with AI Quiz•15 minutes
AI Strategy and Deployment at Top-Ranked Firms, and at Specific Business Functions Quiz•15 minutes
AI Use Cases in Specific Industries Quiz•15 minutes
Module 6 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Module 7: Generative AI and Explainable AI
Module 7•7 hours to complete
Module details
This module focuses on areas within the AI industry that are growing fast because of their very promising potential for aiding new discoveries and new use cases. Students will learn about the history of Generative AI, market size and growth rate, exciting avenues for potential innovations in Generative AI applications. In addition, students will explore the concept of Explainable AI as a potential tool to overcome inherent limitations underlying AI/ML predictions and recommendations i.e., the lack of explanations or rationales underlying those predictions and recommendations.
What's included
7 videos4 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 45 minutes
Module 7 Introduction•2 minutes
Generative AI History - Part 1•5 minutes
Generative AI History - Part 2•10 minutes
Progress, Growth, and Benefits of Generative AI - Part 1•6 minutes
Progress, Growth, and Benefits of Generative AI - Part 2•9 minutes
Focus on Explainable AI (XAI) - Part 1•6 minutes
Focus on Explainable AI (XAI) - Part 2•7 minutes
4 readings•Total 190 minutes
Definition and Narrative History of Generative AI•60 minutes
Progress, Growth and Benefits of Generative AI•60 minutes
Explainable AI (XAI)•60 minutes
Module 7 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Definition and Narrative History of Generative AI Quiz•15 minutes
Progress, Growth and Benefits of Generative AI Quiz•15 minutes
Explainable AI (XAI) Quiz•15 minutes
Module 7 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Module 8: AI Ethics and Responsible AI
Module 8•6 hours to complete
Module details
Students will understand key elements of two important concepts in AI practice: AI Ethics and Responsible AI. Students will be able to describe the basics of AI Ethics and Anthropomorphism; they will learn about moral/ethical dilemmas or bias issues that may confront AI systems or devices; within the broad realm of Responsible AI, students will develop an understanding of fairness, transparency, accountability and safety concepts. Finally, given the emergent and current regulatory framework for AI at the global level, students will learn about responsible AI practices in the context of managing Data, Privacy and Compliance issues.
What's included
8 videos4 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 45 minutes
Module 8 Introduction•1 minute
AI Ethics - Part 1•7 minutes
AI Ethics - Part 2•4 minutes
Attention to Biases in AI Ethics Practice•6 minutes
Responsible AI - Part 1•8 minutes
Responsible AI - Part 2•7 minutes
Data, Privacy, Compliance and Strategy•8 minutes
Summary•3 minutes
4 readings•Total 140 minutes
Overview of AI Ethics•50 minutes
Attention to Biases in AI•40 minutes
Introduction to Responsible AI•40 minutes
Module 8 Summary•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 165 minutes
Overview of AI Ethics Quiz•15 minutes
Attention to Biases in AI Quiz•15 minutes
Introduction to Responsible AI Quiz•15 minutes
Module 8 Summative Assessment•120 minutes
Summative Course Assessment
Module 9•3 hours to complete
Module details
This module contains the summative course assessment that has been designed to evaluate your understanding of the course material and assess your ability to apply the knowledge you have acquired throughout the course.
What's included
1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 assignment•Total 180 minutes
Summative Course Assessment•180 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by Illinois Tech. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
View eligible degrees
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by Illinois Tech. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
OK
Instructor
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
Illinois Tech is a top-tier, nationally ranked, private research university with programs in engineering, computer science, architecture, design, science, business, human sciences, and law. The university offers bachelor of science, master of science, professional master’s, and Ph.D. degrees—as well as certificates for in-demand STEM fields and other areas of innovation. Talented students from around the world choose to study at Illinois Tech because of the access to real-world opportunities, renowned academic programs, high value, and career prospects of graduates.
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.4
57 reviews
5 stars
64.91%
4 stars
21.05%
3 stars
5.26%
2 stars
1.75%
1 star
7.01%
Showing 3 of 57
G
GG
4·
Reviewed on Aug 20, 2025
This Course is very useful and its learn and practice well
D
DP
4·
Reviewed on Mar 12, 2025
Could you specify which project you need a review for? If you’re referring to one of your IoT projects.
G
GY
5·
Reviewed on Aug 9, 2024
Professor provides the cutting-edge learning materials of AI, which help students to understand and be able to leverage AI at their current role, even future career goals.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.