by Phumla Mkize
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is launching training in artificial intelligence (AI) in collaboration with Intel to equip its students and staff with new-age skills to thrive in a technology-powered economy.
Kamogelo Ditshego, who is studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management, checks out the AI Hub at TUT’s Pretoria Campus.
The course, which provides an introduction to AI, will empower students with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to enter mainstream AI.
The University is currently working on the online version of the course to be rolled out to TUT employees and the public.
TUT employees will be able to enroll for the introductory part of the AI course, which mainly focuses on what AI entails, and the ways in which it is changing the work environment.
The AI fundamental course, which requires participants to complete 120 hours of coursework, will also be offered in 2025.
Training is provided through a world-recognised programme
The course will be offered by the TUT Hub of the AI Institute of South Africa (AIISA) in association with Intel. The AIISA is an initiative of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
The first hub was launched at the University of Johannesburg in 2022, followed by the launch of the TUT AI Hub in 2023. This year, two additional hubs were launched, one in February at the Central University of Technology and another in May at the South African Military Academy in Saldanha Bay and the University of Stellenbosch.
Acting Director of the TUT Hub, Prof Anish Kurien, said the content of the course is supported by Intel through its Digital Readiness Programme.
“It allows participants to receive recognition from Intel on completion of the course requirements, which makes them more marketable in the workspace. It also provides us with the global identity related to the programme,” said Kurien.
Prof Kurien said the Intel programme targets different stakeholders, including students and business leaders.
You do not need prior knowledge of AI to enroll for the course
“As TUT we have started with training the future workforce in AI. These are students who are currently studying at TUT who aim to enter the workforce equipped with AI skills. Once the training programme in AI awareness and AI fundamentals are fully running, the idea is to start adopting some of the other programmes offered by Intel,” he said.
Prof Kurien said the Intel AI for Future Workforce programme includes eight hours which focus on raising awareness to cater for anyone who has no background in AI. The awareness programme does not require any prior knowledge; therefore students at any level can register for the course.
“This is then followed by an AI fundamentals programme that focuses on foundational concepts in AI that provides participants with fundamental knowledge and skills that are required to get into mainstream AI,” said Prof Kurien.
“AI by itself is very wide; there are different areas that we focus on. We take certain focus areas of AI, and we do training on that. One of the focal points of the training will be computer vision,” he said.