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Writer's pictureZabi Ulla

Market Landscape of AI Courses

Updated: Mar 1



Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most exciting and disruptive technologies of our time. It has the potential to transform any business (wait a minute, which has the potential to generate data). However, to harness the power of AI, we need both technical and professional skills and knowledgeable professionals who are familiar with professional skillsets such as problem-solving, design thinking, team collaboration, stakeholder management, communication skills etc. along with a technical understanding of AI to apply AI solutions in different contexts.

 

In my experience, I have seen three type of AI enthusiasts. Wait a minute – let me explain what I mean by AI enthusiasts. AI enthusiasts are people who are interested in learning about AI and its applications. They can be broadly categorized into three groups:

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  1. Creator Enthusiast - those who want to learn “research and discover” the AI concepts, frameworks etc. to accelerate AI adoption.

2. Development Enthusiast - those who want to learn to use research findings and discoveries and develop AI applications.

3. Application Enthusiasts (Consumer/Users of AI) - those who want to learn how to use AI to fulfil their job expectations.

 

Each group has different learning needs, goals, and preferences. For example, a creator enthusiast may want to learn the theoretical foundations of AI, such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, etc. A development enthusiast may want to learn how to use popular tools and frameworks, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, etc., to build and deploy AI models. An application enthusiast may want to learn how to leverage existing AI solutions, such as chatbots, recommender systems, speech recognition, etc., to enhance their work performance and productivity.

 

What are the current alternatives to learning AI?

 

There are several sources to learn AI for the creators and development enthusiasts in the form of literature, institutional research, universities and online courses. However, there are very few or no means of coaching catering towards the needs of application enthusiasts.

 

Some of the current alternatives are:


- Institutes with professional degrees and certificates catering to a wider market. These include universities, colleges, bootcamps, etc., that offer formal education and training in AI. They usually have a structured curriculum, qualified instructors, assessments, and credentials. They can provide a comprehensive and rigorous learning experience for those who want to pursue a career in AI or advance their existing skills.

- Online self learning or guided courses to enable working professionals to learn AI at their own pace. These include platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, edX, etc., that offer online courses in various topics related to AI. They usually have a flexible schedule, self-paced learning, video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and certificates. They can provide a convenient and affordable way for those who want to learn new skills or update their knowledge in AI.

 

What are the challenges and gaps in the current market?

 

Despite the availability of various alternatives to learn AI, there are still some challenges and gaps in the current market that prevent many people from achieving their learning goals. Some of these are:


- Most of the Institutes are unable to fulfil growing demand of AI professionals across the board. According to a report by LinkedIn , there is a global shortage of 150 million workers with digital skills, including AI. The demand for AI talent is outstripping the supply of qualified candidates. Moreover, many institutes have high entry barriers, such as prerequisites, fees, admission tests, etc., that make it difficult for many people to access their programs.


- Online courses are struggling to provide value, hence struggling with lower completion rates (<7%). According to a study by Harvard Business Review , only 5% of people who sign up for an online course actually complete it. The reasons are from boredom, lack of time/commitment, expectation mismatch, lack of motivation etc.

Some of the common challenges faced by online learners are:


  - Boredom - Students choose an online course because of its exciting topic or promising program but then realize they don't enjoy the content or the teaching style used to present it.


  - Lack of time - They look for a fast and easy way to boost skills but soon realize they don't have the time to listen to two-hour-long lectures and complete the complex assignments given to them.


  - Expectation mismatch - They expect an online course to be similar to a traditional classroom setting but find out that it lacks interaction, feedback,

    guidance, and support from instructors and peers.


  - Lack of motivation - They start an online course with enthusiasm but lose interest along the way due to lack of engagement, relevance, personalization,

    and recognition.

 

How can we address these challenges and gaps?

 

One possible solution is to adopt a cohort-based community (CBC) learning model for online courses in AI. A CBC learning model is a hybrid approach that combines the best elements of both institutes and online courses. It involves creating small groups of learners (cohorts) who go through an online course together at the same time (synchronous) while also interacting with each other and with instructors (community).

Some of the benefits of a CBC learning model are:


 


 

About Project Tailwind:

Project Tailwind is a pioneering experiential learning platform dedicated to enhancing the professional skills of non-technical business professionals in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our mission is to equip these professionals with the necessary tools to leverage the best of AI technology, thereby transforming their work and lives. We accomplish this by offering comprehensive courses, providing pertinent content, and fostering a network of like-minded professionals for the exchange of AI knowledge. Join us on this transformative journey. Visit our website at www.projecttailwind.in and become a part of our community.


 

 

Conclusion

 

AI is a fast-growing and dynamic field that requires continuous learning and upskilling. However, the current market landscape of AI courses has some challenges and gaps that prevent many people from achieving their learning goals. A possible solution is to adopt a CBC learning model that can provide a more effective, engaging, and enjoyable learning experience for AI enthusiasts.

 

About Me:

 

I am an Data & AI Product Head with a harmonious blend of business acumen, technical prowess, and customer-centric thinking. My T-shaped skills drive the success of product companies, ushering them into a world where AI's potential is harnessed responsibly and ethically. My mission is to catalyse positive change by democratizing AI. I coach and mentor aspiring AI and product management professionals, while working with enterprises to craft successful products.

Learn more about me @ LinkedIn

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