Over 1,000 applied for new AI course

University of Stavanger (UiS) launched a new fully digital (online) AI course in the autumn 2024. The course was conceived to cover the demand and need of society for an accessible course clarifying how to use generative AI daily, and different implications on the use of the technology. The course does not require any previous knowledge nor competences and intends to provide a solid fundament to better understand the potential and limitation of the new technology for any type of audience with no previous or limited AI knowledge. Since the course is digital, there was no admission restriction.  

"The high number of applicants shows that we have really met a need and that we have been successful in marketing the subject," says office manager Thomas Wiborg Gabrielsen at Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

All about AI

The course started with 1123 students, from which around 1000 finished the course. Out of the 1000 students, 352 students presented themselves to the final exam. The exam consisted of a practical test, in which the students had to show their abilities with generative AI. More than 90% of the students passed the exam, showing high creativity to solve problems with the use of AI that were relevant for them in different everyday situations: job, studies, home routines et cetera.

The teaching in AI Essentials is covering everything from key concepts to ethical implications and legal constraints, such as the AI Act from the European Union.

"The students learn about what artificial intelligence (AI) is, why they should use AI, and how they can use generative AI in a good way,” says associate professor in artificial intelligence Alvaro Fernandez Quilez. 

Generative artificial intelligence is artificial intelligence that quickly creates or generates answers to questions. The course gives students an overview of different categories of generative AI and associated tools.

"Through practical use, students gain experience with AI tools and the opportunity to develop an understanding of how these can be used in an appropriate way," explains Alvaro Fernandez Quilez.

Relevant from a job-wise perspective

The experience with the new AI course has shown that it is important to offer education that is relevant from a job-wise perspective, both from the side of flexibility and that offers an education relevant for the students’ professional development. The practical nature of the evaluation in AI Essentials and its success shows the demand for the applied competences, as well as the need to re-imagine in some cases how students should be evaluated in the presence of new technologies such as AI.

The course is for one semester only (autumn) and the exam must be delivered in December.

"However, the study is flexible, so even if it takes place within the framework of one semester, the students have great freedom to adapt the study to their own everyday life," says Thomas Wiborg Gabrielsen, who believes the study is very important:

"Artificial intelligence will affect most industries and professional areas in the future. It is therefore important that as many people as possible get knowledge that enables them to use these tools."

Due to its great societal importance, the course is also offered without a course fee, so that students only pay the normal semester fee.

Could be part of ordinary study programmes

"The subject can be baked into ordinary study programmes," Thomas Wiborg Gabrielsen points out.

In connection with recruitment for the subject, the university has had a good collaboration with a local education institution:

"There we also participated in a start-up meeting with the students. It reinforced the impression that we have managed to reach a broad audience. At this meeting, we met students from many different age groups and with varied educational and professional backgrounds. It shows that AI is relevant for everyone," says Thomas Wiborg Gabrielsen.

Text: Elin Nyberg