Artificial intelligence (AI) 'scholarships' are now on offer to one million Australians, in a bid to increase the nation's literacy of a technology estimated to be worth $4 trillion to the economy by the early 2030s.
The free 'Introduction to Artificial Intelligence' microskill course is provided by the National AI Centre (NAIC), coordinated by Australia's national science agency – CSIRO, and the Institute of Applied Technology Digital (IATD).
The course will provide a non-technical introduction to AI fundamentals and is designed for people at the beginning their AI literacy journey.
This makes it ideal for workers seeking to upskill, individuals starting their career in AI, and small to medium business owners.
With many small to medium enterprises (SMEs) grappling with the challenge of adopting AI, NAIC Director Stela Solar said the course is the perfect opportunity for business owners to build their AI understanding.
"SMEs make up over 98 per cent of Australia's economy, and 'Introduction to AI' is their opportunity to learn how they can use this revolutionary technology to enhance their operations, services, and market competitiveness," Ms Solar said.
Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) CEO Luke Achterstraat welcomed the introduction of the course, praising its ability to provide small businesses with the knowledge needed to unlock AI's vast opportunities.
"Small businesses are a main source of innovation in Australia - they are entrepreneurs who try new ideas, test new products and usually back themselves with their own capital.
"This microskill course will help build confidence and competency for small businesses as they navigate the AI landscape."
Director of IATD Operations Helen Fremlin said the accessibility of the course will empower Australians nation-wide to advance their AI understanding.
"No programming or computer science background is required for students to enrol, and the virtual nature of this course facilitates an easier path for Australians to upskill in AI, whenever and wherever they choose."
Available now through IATD, the two-and-a-half-hour course will cover:
- What AI is
- Common AI terminologies
- The challenges and risks of using AI
- Common misconceptions
- Real-world applications of AI
- Australian AI case studies
- Advice from industry experts to start your career in AI
Students will receive a certificate of completion upon finishing the course.
