“Although such questions may seem to be in the distant future, in reality, they will become relevant much faster than we can imagine,” stresses Rihards Garancs, who develops and teaches Data Analysis and Business Intelligence Courses to BSc and Executive MBA students.

AI course creates Bachelor programme students' understanding of what artificial intelligence is, what are the current opportunities and what awaits us in the near future.

As SSE Riga student Liva Marta Poca reveals, initially, she had a misconception about AI, thinking that it focuses more on risks. “However, I did not realize how much potential and benefit a good-goal-driven control over the AI system could bring to humanity,” she now recalls her first impression about the AI.

Rihards briefly describes the content of the course: “The course discusses topics such as how to ensure yourself against losing your job to artificial intelligence, how to implement low-cost and high-precision artificial intelligence solutions, and how to build your own artificial neural networks and other AI solutions. Finally, the course will make you prepare for the changes you can expect and discussions on topics that will become relevant and affect our daily lives in the coming years.”

The practical part of AI course provides a glimpse into cutting-edge possibilities with AI solutions.
 

SSE Riga students during the course in practical labs create an image recognition software that can recognize handwriting. In another practical lab students create a recommendation engine and neuro-linguistic programming tool that predicts the next words you’ll most likely type.


These labs provide a basic foundation and understanding as to how AI operates with some students later deciding to focus their careers or continue studying in AI designated fields.

AI course also looks into different technologies and technology convergence that permeates AI fields such as quantum computing, edge computing, bio-computing, swarm learning, nIoT, etc. In addition, different key concepts linked with AI are also studied and applied in different case studies and discussions in the class such as digital transformation, creative destruction, hype cycle, ecosystem and platform economics, digital business models.

All this provides a comprehensive overview on the vast world and possibilities of AI and equips students with a toolkit and skills to effectively anticipate AI driven change and effectively manage AI initiatives within their workplace.

Student Liva Marta believes that she is now better prepared to work in an environment where AI is the reality: “AI is a hot topic nowadays, and our lecturer Rihards Garancs is very passionate and knowledgeable about it, which makes the learning process much more exciting. During the AI course, we looked at the opportunities and risks AI provides, analyzed several really interesting case studies. The knowledge gained in the AI course helped me notice and analyze everyday processes that can be automated and made more efficient.”  

AI course plan at a glance:

  • Introduction to AI and why its entry into our lives is comparable to the opportunities offered by electricity
  • The history of AI, and how we have come to today's opportunities
  • Different examples of AI and their impact on our lives
  • Introduction of AI into the company to be reckoned with and how to ensure that the AI project does not become a failure
  • AI's biggest life issues and how they will affect or already affect our lives
  • How to protect yourself from replacing your work with AI?