Artificial Intelligence (AI) · Beginner level

Beginner level · Module 1 of 5 · 10 guided hours

Understanding Artificial Intelligence

Learn what artificial intelligence is, how it developed, the main kinds of AI and where it already appears in daily life.

Learning objectives

  • Define AI and distinguish narrow AI from general AI
  • Describe the main approaches: rules, machine learning, deep learning and generative AI
  • Identify AI applications in daily life and work

Topics

  • what AI is and is not
  • narrow vs general AI
  • rule-based systems vs learning systems
  • a short history of AI
  • generative AI
  • AI in daily life

Lessons

  1. Lesson 1 What AI Is — and Is Not

    Define artificial intelligence, separate it from science fiction and distinguish narrow AI from general AI.

    artificial intelligencenarrow AIgeneral AIhype and myths

  2. Lesson 2 A Short History and the Main Approaches

    See how AI moved from hand-written rules to machine learning, deep learning and generative AI.

    rule-based (expert) systemsmachine learningdeep learninggenerative AI

  3. Lesson 3 AI Around Us

    Recognise AI in everyday systems and work, including uses relevant to South Sudan.

    recommendationfraud detectiontranslation and speechsector applications

Practical activity

Map the AI systems a learner meets in a typical week — phone keyboards, mobile-money fraud checks, translation, social media feeds — and classify each by type.

Expected outcomes

  • An accurate, hype-free understanding of AI
  • Awareness of AI in everyday systems

Assessment

Short quiz and the classified map of everyday AI systems.

Free taster lesson What is AI? Concepts & History Read a free self-study lesson on this topic in the Free Course Library.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.