Course overview
AI, or artificial intelligence, has tremendous potential to reduce operational costs, increase productivity and automate processes in user experience (UX), product design and development. However, AI is notoriously challenging to integrate into systems design, especially systems which involve human–computer interaction (HCI). This course will take a practical, systems thinking perspective, using function modelling frameworks to break interactive systems down and teach professionals how to successfully, safely and meaningfully infuse their own systems with AI.
Led by Professor Per Ola Kristensson, this 8-week course will teach methods, principles and approaches for designing systems, products and services that leverage AI to assist users in achieving their goals and improving user experience. Through a series of case-based exercises (applicable to a wide range of industries), learners will gradually create a report that functionally models their own AI system design, including strategies for managing risk, governance, verification and validation.
The course will provide professionals at a senior or managerial level with practical and transferable knowledge on how to effectively use AI in a system and enable them to present this knowledge in a clear and compelling fashion to internal stakeholders, external clients or venture capitalists.
What will I learn?
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- derive a solution-neutral problem statement that motivates a human-AI system and arrive at a requirements specification that can be used to test the system
- design a function model of a human-AI system and analyse the types and levels of automation that can be used to address the solution-neutral problem statement
- perform a risk analysis and determine the types of risks that are inherent in the human-AI system and propose mitigation activities
- create a verification cross-reference matrix that can be used to verify that system requirements have been met for all deployment contexts relevant to the human-AI system
- develop a strategy for managing the risks and governance issues of a human-AI system
- create a validation strategy to ensure the human-AI system is fit for purpose and addresses the overall function it is intended to perform.
Who is this course for?
Due to the high-level systems-thinking approach this course will take, it is recommended for professionals operating at a senior or managerial level, such as Senior Product Developers, Product Design Managers, Lead System Designers, and directors of UI or UX.
This course is applicable to a wide range of industries, and does not require deep technical expertise to participate in. Professionals managing product design, development and user experience in the following industries, with an interest in applying AI to improve products or processes will find this course valuable:
- manufacturing
- technology
- financial services (including insurance and banking)
- healthcare (especially the production of medical devices)
- consumer/commercial products.
Course delivery
Our certificated courses reflect the Cambridge experience and values, with low student to tutor ratios and academically rigorous standards. Our learning model is designed to help you advance your skills and specialise in emerging areas that address global challenges. We will help you build your network through an engaging and impactful learning journey that encourages collaboration. Courses are delivered in weekly modules, allowing you to plan your time effectively. The assessment criteria will be presented to you at the start of the course, so you can approach your studies with confidence and motivation, knowing what is expected of you and how to meet those expectations.
Throughout your online learning experience, you will have access to your course tutor, who will help facilitate your learning and provide you with support and guidance during your studies. You can interact with your tutor through a range of media, such as live sessions, discussion forums, email or canvas messaging.
Each course includes a balance of:
- interactive learning and real-world application so you can directly apply what you’re learning to your own context
- diverse teaching methods to enhance learning outcomes which will be delivered via learning activities such as University of Cambridge academic led videos, quizzes and group work
- optional live sessions (1 hour) with University of Cambridge academics and tutors to deepen your understanding of the week's material. These sessions may include an informal Q&A, a short lecture or a breakout activity that builds on the content introduced that week. All sessions are recorded and made available to stream so you can catch up whenever suits you
- guided critical thinking via our reflective workbook so you can collect, structure and summarise information and your thoughts as you progress through the course.
What will I get on completion?
Evidence your learning with a Certificate of Achievement from the University of Cambridge on successful completion.
