IBM before the advent of ChatGPT
Prior to the arrival of ChatGPT, which changed the landscape, IBM Watson maintained dominance in the AI space. In fact, Watson became a household name when he won against champion Ken Jennings on the popular television show Jeopardy in 2011.
IBM and its legacy in Artificial Intelligence
Returning to the main topic, IBM's connection with AI dates back to ancient times and its participation is still active today. IBM's generative AI proposal is known as Watsonx. Its main objective is to allow companies to implement and manage both machine learning and generative AI to respond to their specific requirements.
TambiГ © n: AI in 2023: a year of advances that affected every aspect of humanity
I make this clarification because if there is any company that could give legitimate credit on the fundamentals of AI, it is IBM.
The IBM AI Fundamentals Program
IBM's course called AI Fundamentals is an integral part of its SkillsBuild learning platform. To fully acquire the diploma for this course, around ten hours divided into six modules are required.
As someone who has always been intrigued by AI ethics (I even worked on a thesis on this topic), I decided to enroll in the AI ethics course. The experience was satisfactory.
Also: I tested ChatGPT with Bard, Cloud, and Copilot, and the results were exceptional.
Balancing technology with ethics
The topic of how to balance technology with ethical responsibility was addressed. Key topics discussed include the five pillars of AI ethics, the importance of fairness and avoiding bias, and the need for AI systems to be open, understandable, and resistant to attack. The session also emphasized governance, personal data protection and the importance of privacy through data minimization and differential privacy.
When I originally wrote this in early December 2023, I said, “I'll probably take the rest of the courses over the holidays.” In fact, that's what I did. I will answer some questions from readers and share a little of my experiences at the end of the article.
How to start IBM AI courses?
To get started, you'll need to create a free account on IBM's SkillsBuild learning platform. All links to follow for free IBM AI courses will require you to register and access them before you can use them.
Fundamentals learning plan Artificial Intelligence: In this curriculum, you will delve into the history of AI and then see how it is changing the world. Additionally, you will learn in depth about the ways AI makes predictions, understands language and images, and learns through circuits inspired by the human brain. After a simulation in which you will build and test a machine learning model, you will end with tips on how to find a career in the field of AI.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (1 hour 15 minutes), ...
Machine learning and deep learning (2 hours): In this module, you will see how machines can learn and make amazing predictions based on evidence. Delving into the logic behind computers' learning capabilities, you'll then explore new ways in which AI systems, inspired by the neurons in the human brain, can solve complicated problems.
Run AI models with IBM Watson Studio (1 hour and 45 minutes): In this module, you will experiment with building AI machine learning models in a series of simulations using IBM Watson Studio. It's a hands-on experience that will help you do real work with AI.
AI ethics (1 hour and 45 minutes): You've probably heard about the problems that arise when AI systems misinterpret data or suggest solutions that reflect human biases. This is the module I talked about earlier. Through real examples, you will learn about AI ethics, how it is implemented, and why AI ethics are so vital to creating trustworthy AI systems.
Your future in AI: job outlook (1 hour): Are you considering a career in AI? In this module, you will learn about the rapidly growing AI job market and the skills needed to succeed in this exciting field. You'll hear the startup stories of true professionals and find resources and learning opportunities that can help you follow their path.
My experience after finishing the course
The week between Christmas and New Year's is usually pretty quiet, especially in terms of overall daily email volume. This year, that peace of mind allowed me to complete this course, doing one session most days and rolling to the next session after two days.
Most sessions are a combination of readings, with some video highlights. They end with a test. Although you can try as many times as you want until you pass, you should not be afraid to take it. I answered most of the tests correctly the first time, but when my dog distracted me, I had to retake a test, with no negative repercussions on my course progress.
Also: How to use Bing Image Creator (and why it's better than ever)
My unforeseen event with Watson's course.
Each module highlights an aspect of AI and helps explain it. Clearly, I have a better understanding of some generative AI processes than before. Mainly, the modules were interesting and the video lectures captivating. The module also featured some interactive experiences that I found engaging.
Most of the modules are vendor-agnostic, but there was one Watson module that was specific to what IBM offers. It didn't take me more than an hour, and while I'm not part of IBM's target market for what it has to offer, it wasn't a waste of time to find out what IBM has up its sleeve when it comes to AI solutions.
As I mentioned before, I enjoyed the ethics section. And if you're interested in a career in AI, you'll love the final session, which provides a detailed breakdown of what to expect if you want to work in this field. It is worth registering just for that session (even if registration is free).
I received an official certificate, which I posted on my profile LinkedIn. Watch this space because I'll show you how to add a verifiable training certificate to LinkedIn during the next week. Overall, the course was a fantastic experience and I got good use out of it.
Plus: These are the jobs most likely to be taken over by AI
Also, some of you asked about how to enroll in the course. There was some confusion because you can't access the syllabus directly. Be sure to visit the main IBM SkillBuild portal and create an account. Once you have a verified account (it's free), Entonces You will be able to join the courses offered by IBM.
Lastly, the IBM team asked me to let you know that they also offer a free course on sustainability and technology infrastructure. You can also find it on Skillbuild. That course also grants a verifiable certificate.
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