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“The moment I stopped seeing AI as an interloper or scary replacement was the moment I started to see all the possibilities for integrating AI's "co-intelligence" into the courses I teach.” – SCS instructor Alison Garwood-Jones
The University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) has always evolved with the twin landscapes of education and the workforce. Today, that means understanding and using the transformative power of AI to ensure our learners take home the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Certificates in AI
For those interested in advancing their careers in the AI industry, SCS offers an Artificial Intelligence Certificate, designed to introduce learners to the newest AI applications and opportunities. For those ready to delve deeper into the world of AI, the school also offers an Advanced Artificial Intelligence Certificate where learners can gain in-depth knowledge in advanced techniques including deep reinforcement learning, natural language processing, Large Language Models and causal reasoning.
AI Updates to Courses
In addition to offering these AI-specific certificates, our expert instructors in everything from project management to marketing are also incorporating AI into their teaching to help prepare learners to use specific AI tools available to help them achieve their particular career goals.
"The practice of project management is constantly evolving. I believe it is critically important that we, at the School of Continuing Studies, keep our content current allowing our learners to benefit from the latest thinking and practices in project management. For example, employers expect project management professionals to have a basic understanding of how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to deliver projects that meet their objectives,” explains Peter Monkhouse, PMP, SCS instructor, and Project Management Certificate Advisor.
To that end, this spring, AI fundamentals were added to the curriculum of the school’s 1860 Foundations of Project Management course. This fall the same will be added to 1952 Leading Projects in Organizations and 3976 Project Tools and Techniques courses.
“You don’t need to be an AI expert, but your current or future employers want you to know how to apply AI applications to project management processes and understand the related risks and ethical considerations of AI. Today's workplace values those who can leverage AI generated insights for informed decision-making,” Monkhouse adds.
Digital Strategy and Communications Management instructor Alison Garwood-Jones says that despite some initial trepidation, she has found ways to incorporate AI into her teaching to benefit her learners.
For example, learners in Garwood-Jones’ Foundations in Digital Communications Strategy and Social Media in the Age of AI course are encouraged to to use AI in assignments specifically designed to include consulting Large Language Models (LLMs) and Garwood-Jones creates space in discussion boards where they can share how AI tools are used in their respective workplaces.
“As an instructor, the moment I stopped seeing AI as an interloper or scary replacement was the moment I started to see all the possibilities for integrating AI's "co-intelligence" into the courses I teach,” she says.
“Perhaps the biggest surprise to marketers and PR professionals is discovering that strategy, way more so than writing, is the real fire power of AI. But SCS learners know they have to "work smart" to get the most out of it.”
Want to learn more about AI? SCS instructor Larry Simon shares “The Who What Why of AI”: