• Posted 01-Feb-2021

Universities, SMEs and researches join forces to deliver new Master courses in AI

Europeans will soon have the opportunity to enjoy a brand new learning experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Four networks of universities, SMEs and top researchers will offer new high-quality specialised Master programmes and courses in AI funded by the Connecting Europe Facility Telecom.

Building on the expertise of each partner in the consortia, the networks have designed innovative Master programmes focusing on human centric AI, AI for the public sector and explainable AI for healthcare. All programmes will include dedicated courses on AI ethics, based on the EU ethical guidelines. Students enrolling to these Master's will have the opportunity to attend courses in several EU countries provided by the best experts in the field, acquire hands-on experience and work closely with business partners on real-life cases. Graduates will receive diploma issued by the universities that take part in the consortium. Selected modules will be made available to all Europeans free of charge, in their own language, via the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform.

The Master’s will start in 2021 or 2022 and will train hundreds of students in artificial intelligence and specific AI applications. More information on how and when to enrol will be available in the coming months. The consortia were selected through the Call for proposals launched in 2020 by the Connecting Europe Facility Telecom.

The winning networks of universities, SMEs and AI research centres will offer 4 Master programmes:

• Human Centered AI Master: This Master has a strong focus on ethical perspectives related AI. Four universities (Technological University Dublin, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, University of Naples Federico II) will train future AI specialists, together with three Centres of Excellence and three SMEs, plus over 25 more leading ICT organisations who have offered support for the programme.
• Master in AI for Careers in EU (MAI4CAREU): A new Master programme will be created at the University of Cyprus, while a new AI track will be developed in the existing Masters in Computer Science the Dresden University of Technology, University of Ruse and University of Bologna. Students will be trained in the latest AI development and applications.
• Master on AI for public services (AI4Gov) – This Master targets the development of advanced digital skills in the public services sector to address its lack of highly specialised digital skills in AI.  Participants in the master program will be awarded a joint master degree from Technical University of Madrid and Polytechnic University of Milan on “AI for public services”. After completing the joint program, students will get the opportunity to study an additional year at Tallinn University of Technology to receive a MSc degree in e-Government Technologies and Services.
• eXplainable Artificial Intelligence in healthcare Management (xAIM): This Master focuses on the use of explainable AI (xAI) in healthcare, with the aim to train highly qualified professionals to address the lack of highly specialised digital skills in AI. The master is designed for anyone interested in understanding the needs of xAI in healthcare, and, in particular for health-related professionals, with a particular focus on the exploitation of the possible applications.  The master program will be awarded by the University of Pavia and will consist of 90 ECTS with a duration of 18 months.

In the Coordinated Plan on Artificial intelligence, EU Members states and the European Commission agreed on the need to offer new interdisciplinary learning opportunities related to artificial intelligence. These 4 Master programmes are a first step towards the development of the EU High-tech networks for digital skills and specialised education. The new Digital Europe Programme will provide around €580 million  for the development of additional education and training opportunities in artificial intelligence, data, cybersecurity, high-performance computing, cybersecurity and advanced digital technologies. 

Source: Digital Single Market (https://bit.ly/39BqS4A)