In the world of emerging technologies, components of computer science such as artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to provide new application opportunities for both tech and non-tech brands. Understanding these applications and how AI and machine learning work together to create more intelligent and adaptable systems are important skills when entering the computer science field. Degrees like Full Sail’s Computer Science master’s and Computer Science bachelor's with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence can help students unlock the skills necessary to develop and apply intelligent systems in a variety of careers.

Artificial Intelligence

From self-driving cars to virtual assistants, artificially intelligent programs — ones that can sense, reason, act, and adapt — mimic the cognitive functions in humans such as learning and problem-solving.

Designing and creating algorithms and approaches to developing intelligent AI systems requires not only a mathematical skillset but an understanding of AI topics such as reasoning, knowledge representation, planning, expert systems, and cognitive sciences.

“Complex problem solving is the main skill we are working on here. We go beyond theory and have students apply these skills,” says Full Sail Emerging Technologies Education Director Haifa Maamar, PhD. “In this instance they are applying the skills in an end-to-end project. Meaning they will interact with every part of the process used to solve complex problems in technical fields.”

Machine Learning

Machine learning, an important part of the evolution of AI, is specifically focused on software solutions that learn the data provided and adapt accordingly. Machine learning is not a replacement for AI; instead it is a subset of AI.

Where an AI system can reason and adapt based on what it currently knows, machine learning algorithms seek to improve the performance by processing enormous amounts of data and learning as they are exposed to that data over time. Much of the rapid development of AI over recent years can be attributed to the incorporation of machine learning.

Similar to machine learning but more complex, deep learning – a young field of artificial intelligence – uses a multi-layered structure of algorithms called a neural network to solve more complex tasks.

The neural network – designed to classify information in the same way a human brain does – has been able to utilize deep learning to take quickly and efficiently collected data sets and translate them into usable data.

Applications of Intelligent Systems

For many industries, the implementation of these intelligent programs are providing breakthroughs in science, increases in profitability, and long-term solutions to many modern problems.

For example, in the healthcare field, intelligent programs are being used in automating medical diagnoses and detection for diseases like Parkinson’s. Particularly well-suited to medical applications, machine learning also shows great promise in translating complex data sets, such as those found in studies surrounding genomics and proteomics, associated with diseases such as cancer.

In manufacturing, AI has a variety of applications, like programs that alert assembly line workers to product inconsistencies and deviations from quality standards. In the transportation industry, AI and machine learning are being applied to decrease the world’s carbon emissions through traffic solutions and changes to mass transport via adaptive technology.

“Nowadays AI, machine learning and data science are used in several applications that touch different industries: healthcare, security, agriculture, education, simulation, etc.,” says Dr. Maamar. “Skills and knowledge in these fields will prepare students for careers in these industries. This skillset can be applied in any tech field.”

In degree programs like Full Sail’s Computer Science master’s and Computer Science bachelor's with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence, these concepts are explored to help students learn techniques for designing and creating their own intelligent agents and machine learning solutions.

“We are witnessing an important growth in applications and projects using artificial intelligence, machine learning, Data Science or Human Computer Interaction,” says Dr. Maamar. “We have been witnessing encouraging growth in tech hiring specifically in these fields. [Programs like Computer Science] will give the students the knowledge and skills they need to work in these fields.”

Learn more about Technology degrees at Full Sail.