鈥淲ithout this course, I would have simply followed the AI hype 鈥 like everyone else. Now, I choose a more critical and conscious approach.鈥

Alfred van Mameren

Alfred van Mameren had several questions on his mind: 鈥淲hat exactly is AI?鈥, 鈥淲hat are its possibilities?鈥, and 鈥淗ow could I start using it myself?鈥. That鈥檚 why he saw the two-day introductory course on Data Science & AI as a great opportunity to turn something unknown into something familiar. Driven by his interest in ICT, Alfred sought to explore whether he could effectively apply AI in his work. Additionally, he enjoys learning something new.

How did you experience the two-day course?

The course was intensive, but incredibly valuable. Daniel Kapitan is an excellent lecturer. He encouraged a lot of interaction and covered the topic from all angles, ranging from the historical developments of the 1950s to the latest applications, the strategies of big tech players, and the societal impact of AI. At times, it got quite technical and mathematical, which was challenging, but I found it fascinating. The two days flew by. The group composition also contributed to the learning process; it was an interesting mix of participants from a wide variety of sectors.

How has this introduction to Data Science & AI influenced your perspective?

What stuck with me most is the realization that there鈥檚 also a downside to AI. Think of the massive energy consumption, or how AI models are trained using data that is often collected without consent. That concerns me. Thanks to the course, I鈥檝e become much more aware of this. Instead of blindly following the AI hype, I now make a conscious choice to use it with caution. I only use AI when it鈥檚 truly necessary 鈥 and preferably via paid, more transparent models. I also share this critical perspective with my colleagues and decision-makers in our organization.

Your advice to future participants

This course is ideal for anyone seeking to gain in-depth insights and a nuanced understanding of AI in a short period. In just two days, you gain a wealth of knowledge 鈥 not only about what artificial intelligence is, but also about what it isn鈥檛. The pros and cons are clearly explained, which helps you make more informed decisions yourself.