Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the AI-Powered Future
Are you ready to explore the intelligent systems reshaping every industry? This course is designed for anyone who interacts with AI, from future developers to curious users. You will understand core concepts, learning how machines recognize patterns and generate content. Explore no-code tools to build prototypes and gain practical skills. Learn from experts, explore diverse career paths, and develop the tools to apply this technology responsibly.
Program Dates
Choose the course length that works for you: 2-week and 4-week sessions
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Individual Course Fees
$1,895
Explore AI and Its Real-World Impact
Uncover the Power of Artificial Intelligence
Identify characteristics of AI systems and explore how computers learn patterns to power tools like chatbots and games. Recognize common types of AI behavior, including prediction and generation, in real-world contexts.
Investigate How Machines Learn and Train
Examine how machines learn using models, including perceptrons and neural networks. Differentiate between training, testing, and various learning types to understand model uncertainty.
Navigate the Power of Language Models
Explore how LLMs, like chatbots, generate human-like text based on tokens and context. Learn effective prompting strategies and address limitations, including bias and hallucinations.
Address AI's Global Impact
Analyze the ethical, social, and environmental consequences of AI systems. Evaluate design principles to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI development.
Build with Modern AI Tools
Explore a range of no-code AI tools, including image and prediction models. Plan the data needs and technical requirements to create a final project prototype.
Launch Your Future Career Path
This course is designed for anyone who will interact with AI and provides skills that align with a range of college majors and career paths, including computer science, data science, engineering, digital design, and entrepreneurship.
How You Will Benefit
- Understand how AI functions and how computers learn patterns, distinguishing these systems from traditional software.
- Use no-code AI tools to generate text, images, and automations for real-world projects.
- Examine the ethical, social, and human impacts of AI and learn responsible design principles to minimize negative effects.
- Discover how AI applies to virtually any career or college major, from engineering to entrepreneurship.
- Complete a Final Capstone Project to demonstrate what you’ve learned.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern University.
Three Learning Advantages Designed for You
Final Capstone Project
This online course culminates in a Final Capstone Project that allows you to:
- Design and present an original AI-powered prototype or detailed concept.
- Craft a written explanation detailing the tool's function, target audience, AI models used, and technical trade-offs.
- Submit an ethical reflection discussing the tool's potential risks, limitations, or impacts, and how they were addressed with responsible design principles.
Mentoring
You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who can support you and answer questions as you deepen your learning experience. You can expect:
- Expertise in each course’s particular field
- Encouragement and feedback on all assignments
- Inspiration, motivation, and confidence to help you succeed in your studies
Flexible Learning
- 100% online learning that works with your schedule
- You’ll learn through engaging video lessons. Watch anytime that works for you
- 20-30 hours of total instruction and course work, including engaging multimedia, simulations, and curated assignments for which you will receive guidance and support from mentors
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
All course options have the same educational content, learning materials, and number of assignments. We are offering a condensed version of the course in order to accommodate students’ individual schedules.
Course Designed by Northwestern Faculty
Zach Wood-Doughty, PhD
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Computer Science, Northwestern University
Zach Wood-Doughty is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Northwestern University Department of Computer Science. He received his PhD in computer science from Johns Hopkins University and his BA from Carleton College. Professor Wood-Doughty’s teaching and research explore the application of machine learning and causal inference to a variety of applications. He received the McCormick School of Engineering’s Cole-Higgins Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2023 and Northwestern Computer Science Department’s Instructor of the Year award in 2024.
How To Apply:
It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Just provide some basic information and tell us why you wish to take this program.
Note: Please submit all application materials in English.
Begin the guided application process. It should take only a few minutes of your time to answer the questions.
Want to Know More?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.
Admissions
Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you're admitted? Find answers to your questions here.
Scholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your Profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.