[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he country’s first Masters degree in Artificial Intelligence is to begin in September at the University of Limerick.
Those behind the initiative say it was created due to the growing demand for AI study and skills. The main focus of the programme is to encourage future thinking and the collaboration between enterprise and science.
A range of companies such as Microsoft, Google, Storyful and Citibank were involved in the design and set up of the course.
There is a growing demand for tech professionals in this country and it’s expected that the number of people working in the industry will continue to rise.
Over 80,000 people work in the industry in Ireland and it is predicted that 8,000 more positions will be created this year.
The new Masters programme aims to address this growing demand for tech professionals and to cover the need for more research in Ireland in Artificial Intelligence.
Speaking at the launch held at the Royal College of Surgeons, Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Heather Humphreys said: “I welcome this new programme that will be delivered by the University of Limerick with the Irish Centre for High End Computing (ICHEC). Artificial Intelligence is shaping a new reality for Irish businesses, creating exciting new opportunities for innovation across all industries.”
DCU Professor Derek Molloy said: “I think that this programme is a welcome development, but more specifically the IDA/ Skillnets backing and funding for such a programme.”
Molloy encourages more funding for similar programmes and thinks that more courses like this needs to be funded here in Ireland.
DCU Professor Lisa Looney said that DCU’s graduate programmes covers a lot of topics that would be similar to the new Masters in A.I.
“Due to the strong research base, these programmes provide the depth of learning needed at that level, and reflect our specific distinctive expertise,” she said.
The Masters in Artificial Intelligence looks to be a huge development for Ireland. It encourages future thinking and keeps Ireland up to date with the rest of the world with Artificial Intelligence.
Aine Conaty
Image Credit: Time Out