What Is Programming? And How To Get Started
January 28, 2025
Article
Add to your LinkedIn profile
October 2024
5 assignments
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
If you’re new to AI or a beginner looking to increase your use of AI in knowledge work, this class is for you! It is designed for anyone interested in how AI works and the many ways it is transforming the way we work and create. From business professionals to creatives to leaders, this course will give you the tools to understand and harness the power of Generative AI for both creative and analytical work. We’ll discuss how Machine Learning and Deep Learning are essential to AI and we’ll review how neural networks are trained. You’ll learn how to select the right AI tools, and review real-world examples of using AI for creative tasks like generating social media posts and presentations, as well as critical thinking tasks like creating a lesson plan or analyzing data.
You’ll explore different ways to apply AI in everyday work. From brainstorming and troubleshooting code to creating blog posts and project timelines, this course will give you hands-on experience with popular AI tools including ChatGPT and Claud. We’ll also dive into important challenges like AI bias, transparency, and data privacy. Finally we’ll discuss the future of AI in the workplace. By the end of this course, you’ll not only be proficient in using AI tools, but you’ll also be better equipped to navigate the rapidly changing world of work as AI continues to evolve.
Welcome to Module 1! In this module, you'll review the broad field of artificial intelligence, define key terms, and distinguish related terms. We'll explore fundamental concepts of machine learning and how it differs from traditional programming. We'll also explain what deep learning is and how it builds on machine learning techniques. Finally, we'll identify the main characteristics of AI and applications of GenAI. We have a lot to cover, so let's get started on this exciting topic!
8 videos1 reading1 assignment2 discussion prompts
Welcome to Module 2! In this module, we’ll begin by discussing the importance of checking for approved AI tools or policies in the workplace, initial steps to start using AI tools, and the prerequisites and resources needed for using those tools. You’ll gain insights into common challenges but also best practices for overcoming them when adapting AI tools in a professional setting. We’ll discuss the distinction between creative and critical thinking tasks supported by GenAI, and identify practical applications of GenAI in both creative and analytical domains. We'll identify different prompting techniques, understand various prompting styles, and recognize when and how to apply each technique to different tasks. We have a lot to cover, so let's get started!
12 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt
Welcome to Module 3! In this module we’ll focus on critical and creative thinking with GenAI. You’ll review a series of demos on how to use GenAI, and discuss scenarios of different types of knowledge workers and how they might use these tools. You’ll identify how certain tasks can integrate both creative and critical approaches using GenAI tools. We’ll then evaluate initial challenges of adopting AI tools by exploring practical strategies and examples and build a framework to identify and select appropriate AI tools based on the task’s creative or analytical nature. Finally, you’ll recognize the relevance of GenAI tools in the context of knowledge work and foster a mindset of experimentation and exploration with those tools for specific needs. Let’s get started!
15 videos1 assignment2 discussion prompts
Welcome to the final module! In this module, we have some important topics to discuss regarding safety considerations when using AI and expanding your learning. We’ll explore key limitations and challenges of AI. You’ll learn how to use AI ethically and safely, and we’ll discuss practical concerns related to current AI models and their applications. You’ll comprehend the implications of AI’s lack of transparency and explainability then identify privacy and security risks associated with sensitive data in AI. We’ll discuss sources and manifestations of bias in AI systems and assess strategies to identify, report, and address algorithmic bias and explore methods to promote ethical considerations, fairness, and inclusivity in AI. We’ll then assess improvements made in AI training to reduce hallucinations. You’ll also learn about explainability in AI and its importance in decision-making processes. Finally, we’ll explore the future of work and methods for adapting to AI advancements and find reliable sources of information about AI tools and updates.
10 videos2 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts
UC Davis, one of the nation’s top-ranked research universities, is a global leader in agriculture, veterinary medicine, sustainability, environmental and biological sciences, and technology. With four colleges and six professional schools, UC Davis and its students and alumni are known for their academic excellence, meaningful public service and profound international impact.
Amazon Web Services
Course
Vanderbilt University
Course
Course
Google Cloud
Course
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.