Artificial Intelligence Foundations
Artificial Intelligence Foundations is a six-week, hands-on introduction to AI fundamentals designed for professionals who want to cut through the hype and understand how AI really works—and how to use it responsibly. Whether you’re cautious about AI and unsure of its impact on your job, or you’re a leader who wants to better understand how teams are using AI in the workplace, this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to engage with AI in a practical, informed way.
This course is not about writing code or building advanced models. Instead, it demystifies core concepts—machine learning, neural networks, large language models (LLMs) and generative AI—and explains how AI systems are trained on data, why training is complex, and how ethics in AI influences outcomes.
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Through interactive, no-code exercises, you’ll gain hands-on experience with AI automation and prompt engineering using widely available tools like Microsoft Power Automate and Copilot. You’ll practice automating simple workflows, experimenting with data-driven outputs, and asking more informed questions of AI systems to evaluate their quality and reliability. Weekly live sessions connect these lessons to current events, industry applications and real workplace scenarios.
By the end of this AI foundations course, you will be able to:
- Speak confidently about AI fundamentals and its workplace relevance
- Recognize limitations, risks and AI ethics considerations tied to AI use
- Identify opportunities for process automation and optimization in your field
- Evaluate AI outputs with critical thinking and informed judgment
- Participate in conversations about AI adoption, strategy and responsible integration in your organization
This introduction to AI is designed for a wide range of professionals: those who feel hesitant or left behind by rapid change, and those who want to sharpen their competitive edge in an AI-driven economy. No prior experience is required.
Course Specifics
Artificial Intelligence Foundations
Next Start: July 6 | Tuesdays 7pm EST
Upcoming:
Aug 3 | Wednesdays 8pm EST
Sept 14 | Thursdays 8pm EST
Oct 12 | Tuesdays 7pm EST
$2,095 | 6 weeks | 12.5 hours per week
Artificial Intelligence Foundations can be taken as an elective in the Leadership Certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I learn in this Artificial Intelligence Foundations course?
You will learn core AI concepts, including machine learning, neural networks, LLMs, generative AI, prompt engineering and responsible use.
Is this course focused on generative AI only?
No. The course introduces broader AI fundamentals while also covering LLMs, generative AI tools and their workplace applications.
Who should take this AI foundations course?
This course is designed for professionals who want to understand AI, evaluate its risks and use it more confidently in workplace settings.
Do I need coding experience to be successful in this course?
No coding experience is required. This course uses no-code activities to help professionals understand and apply AI concepts at work.
What tools will I use in this course?
Learners gain hands-on experience and are given access to tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Power Automate through guided activities.
Can this course count toward a certificate?
This course can be taken as a standalone or as an elective in Villanova’s Leadership Certificate. While not a part of the Gen AI certificate, it provides a good introduction to Gen AI topics.
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610-519-7655
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