The Importance of Learning About AI: Starting my Journey and Why You Should Join Me
#BreakIntoAI— Part 1
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere
Artificial Intelligence(AI) is something that I see everywhere these days, from the dumb YouTube videos that I like to watch to Google news recommendations and scientific journals with AI breakthroughs. But despite its omnipresence, I have to admit that I don’t really know much about AI.
When I was at the CS university, I learned the basics of what it was and how it works, but I only once had the opportunity to make an actual AI project, more on later. Today I work as a software engineer in a company that, in the future, will need some AI-related services, but this is not the main reason that I’m going to learn more about AI.
My motivations for learning about AI go beyond just my career. I truly believe that AI has the potential to make a positive impact on society, and I want to be a part of that. Whether it’s developing AI systems that can help solve complex problems or simply learning more about its ethical and social implications, I want to be an active participant in the world of AI.
But what is AI?
AI is the science of creating machines that are capable of intelligent behavior. AI is made up of many different technologies, from natural language processing to computer vision to machine learning. These technologies create machines that can understand and interact with their environment more intelligently than ever before!
AI is often used in combination with machine learning to provide more accurate predictions or decisions. For example, AI can be used to identify patterns in data that machine learning algorithms may not be able to find on their own. This can help organizations make more informed decisions based on a deeper understanding of their data.
AI Impact on society
The only AI project that I worked on was a project that helped reduce the dropout rate by classifying students who were at risk of dropping out. In this project we used results from Kahoot, a gamified way for a teacher to send exercises for its students, to classify how many correct answers the student got for half a year, and each month we did interviews with them to see how they felt about the university and their scores.
With this very simple classification project, my friend and I worked together to decrease the dropout rate of students from ~70% from the start to finish of the university to ~50%. It was a really rewarding experience that showed me the impact of AI and its practical applications in the real world.
This is just one example of how AI can positively impact society. There are numerous other projects that also have the potential to make a difference in the world. For instance, AI can be used to analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and trends that can help predict and prevent disease outbreaks.
AI can also be used in logistics, where a Neural Network can be used to optimize supply chain management and reduce waste in industries like agriculture and manufacturing.
And can also be used in medicine with Computer Vision to identify micro bone fractures and find tumors and cancers before they grow to a dangerous stage. These are just some of the uses that AI already has in our lives today.
But it’s essential to consider the ethical implications of AI as well. As AI becomes more prevalent in our lives, we must ensure that it is used ethically and responsibly. This includes considering the potential biases that may be present in the data used to train AI systems and ensuring that the use of AI is transparent and accountable.
Overall, the potential impact of AI on society is vast and varied. That’s why it’s essential for all of us to learn more about this exciting field and to be part of the conversation about its use and development. So join me on this journey, and let’s explore the world of AI together.
Starting the learning journey
If you’re reading this, I bet you’re interested in AI too. Maybe you’re a computer scientist or engineer looking to deepen your understanding of the field. Or perhaps you’re a complete beginner, just trying to get a foothold in this exciting and rapidly-changing field.
Learning about AI can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You’ll get to be a part of a community of like-minded people passionate about solving problems and making the world better in our learning journey through the world of AI. Either way, I encourage you to join me on this journey.
Why you should join me
If you’re still on the fence about joining me on this amazing journey to learn about AI, let me give you a few compelling reasons to take the plunge.
First and foremost, AI is rapidly becoming a hot topic in almost every industry. By learning about AI, you’ll be able to understand how these technologies work and how they might shape the future. You’ll also have the opportunity to work on challenging and innovative projects and develop new skills and knowledge that can be applied to various fields.
In addition to the career benefits, learning about AI is a personally rewarding experience. It’s an opportunity to explore the possibilities and have fun with technology, all while staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly growing field. And with AI being used in exciting ways in healthcare, transportation, and finance, to name just a few examples, you’ll have the chance to see firsthand the potential impact of AI and how it might shape your life and career.
So why wait? Join me on this exciting journey to learn about AI and be a part of shaping its future!
How to Get Started with Machine Learning
Depending on your background and goals, there are many ways to start learning about AI. The first step is to find an education program tailored to your needs. Many different educational programs are available, from online classes to full-time degree programs. It’s important to research the various programs to find one that suits your interests and goals.
Once you’ve chosen a program, it’s time to start learning. This can be done through online courses, books, or tutorials. There are also many online communities dedicated to machine learning where you can ask questions and get help from experienced professionals.
For me, the best option is to start with a course. I’m starting with the Machine Learning Specialization from DeepLearning.ai; This specialization covers the fundamentals of machine learning and deep learning and includes hands-on exercises and projects to help me apply what I’m learning.
The specialization that I’ll do:
Why I choose the Machine Learning Specialization
As I mentioned earlier, I’m starting my learning journey with the Machine Learning Specialization. There are a few reasons why I chose this program in particular.
First, the program is taught by Andrew Ng, one of the pioneers in AI and machine learning. He is someone that my AI teacher at the university used to praise. From what I saw from other people that made this course, his lectures are clear, engaging, and packed with valuable information. I have no doubt that I’ll learn a lot from him and his team of instructors.
Second, the program covers both the fundamentals of machine learning and deep learning, which are essential for anyone interested in beginning in AI. It also includes hands-on exercises and projects that will help me apply what I’m learning, which is essential for any learning experience.
Finally, the program is offered through Coursera, a platform I already use, trust, and like the way they focus on teaching. It’s easy to use, and the course materials are well-organized and accessible.
Because of this, this specialization is a great starting point for anyone interested in learning about AI. If you’re also considering learning about AI, I highly recommend giving it a try.
But if online courses are not for you and you prefer a more solo approach, I can recommend THE Big Book of AI by Peter Norvig and Stuart Russel called Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach. This book is the reference book for everything AI-related; Anyone that plans on going serious about AI should buy it.
Tips for Learning AI (or everything, really)
As I embark on a journey to learn something new, whether it’s machine learning or something else, there are always some tips that I always follow:
- Start with the basics: You’ll hear this one every time, everywhere, because it’s true. Before you start learning something new, you need to have the foundation on which you’ll build your knowledge over. Make sure you have a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts before diving into the more advanced topics. For Machine Learning, this basic foundation is knowing about basic math, some calculus, and basic programming.
- Practice hands-on: Practice leads to perfection, my grandmother always says, but practice also leads to learning! While lectures and textbooks are very important, getting hands-on experience with the material is essential to fixate on what you just learned. Look for opportunities to work on projects and exercises that will help you apply your learning. And if you’re feeling creative and believe you already know the basics, try to propose an exercise for yourself!
- Join a community: Like-minded individuals lead to like-minded actions, so if you want to learn something, surround yourself with people who know or also want to learn. Whether it’s an online forum, a meetup group, or a study group, it is helpful to connect with other people who are also interested in learning the same thing. You can learn from each other and motivate each other to keep learning.
- Stay up-to-date: Technologies come and go, so you must constantly learn! Keep up-to-date with the latest developments in your field of study. Follow blogs, attend conferences, and take additional courses to keep your skills sharp.
- Studying routine: Learning something new requires time and effort, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed or lose motivation. One of the best ways to stay motivated and make progress is to make learning a consistent part of your routine. Set aside a specific time each day or week to focus on learning, and make it a habit to stick to that schedule. By consistently putting in the effort, you’ll be able to make steady progress and stay motivated.
- Time management is important: Too little study, you’ll not learn anything. Too much of it, and you’ll be stressed out and lose all interest. In addition to being consistent, it’s also important to manage your time effectively. This means setting clear goals for what you want to accomplish and breaking those goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Don`t study too much in a single day. There is so much that our brain can learn before stressing out. I suggest studying for 1 hour a day every day. It works for me.
These are the tips that I follow when I want to learn something new. If you follow them as well, you will be on your way to mastering your new subject and becoming proficient. Good luck on your journey!
Conclusion
So don’t be intimidated by AI. Embrace it! Let’s start learning about it today, and join me on this exciting journey to #BreakIntoAI. Whether you decide to follow my path and take a course or pursue your own learning path, I encourage you to join me in exploring the world of AI and all that it has to offer. Good luck on your journey!
