AI for All: Fundamentals of Intelligent Systems

Catalog description

This course introduces students from all disciplines to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) by examining how ideas from natural intelligent systems such as the human brain and biological perception inspire the design of AI systems. Students will explore core AI concepts including pattern recognition, image processing, language models, and decision-making, with an emphasis on practical understanding rather than technical depth. They will engage in interactive, no-code labs using modern AI tools, including large language models and prompt engineering, to learn how these systems work and how to interact with them effectively. The course emphasizes observation, data collection, analysis, and the role of theory and falsifiability in understanding AI and its potential integration into other scientific disciplines. The course also examines the ethical implications of AI, including fairness, transparency, and societal impact.