We’re proud to share that Human–Computer Interaction for AI Systems Design, one of the most popular short online courses on Cambridge Advance Online, was recently featured at the prestigious AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence. The paper—co-authored by Professor Per Ola Kristensson (Professor in Interactive Systems Engineering, University of Cambridge) and Emily Patterson (Senior Learning Designer, Cambridge University Press & Assessment)—was presented in the Education track (Area 2: Experience Report and Innovative Practice) and received an enthusiastic reception.

This course, launched in July 2023, was created specifically for professional learners looking to better understand the relationship between human–computer interaction (HCI) and the design of AI systems. It quickly gained popularity amongst the Cambridge online learning portfolio, becoming one of the platform’s highest-enrolling courses with around 50 learners joining each quarterly run. To date, over 200 professionals have completed the course, with more than 90% rating their experience as "good" or "excellent."

This programme fills a critical gap in the market by targeting audiences beyond schools and higher education. It is designed to support Learning and Development teams and individual professionals who need to stay current with the evolving role of AI in industry, but who often find that existing educational offerings do not speak directly to their needs.

What sets this course apart is the collaborative development between academic and learning design experts. Professor Kristensson brought subject-matter leadership in HCI and AI, while Emily Patterson translated this into a carefully structured, engaging, and flexible online experience. The result is a course that not only meets the high expectations of professionals but also showcases how thoughtful design can amplify academic excellence.

If you're interested in how AI education can be crafted to serve professional audiences—and what it takes to design a truly effective online learning experience—we invite you to read the full conference paper here:

Read the full paper Human-Computer Interaction for AI Systems Design: Reflections on an Online Course on Human-AI Interaction for Professionals(Opens in a new window).

This initiative demonstrates how innovation in education and subject expertise can come together to shape transformative learning experiences beyond the traditional school or university setting.

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Please direct any queries regarding this release to:

Sonia Arroyo Senior Marketing Executive Cambridge University Press & Assessment