Microsoft opens up on-demand AI training courses to the public

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are expected to make significant breakthroughs in a number of industries over the coming years, and both are a big focus for Microsoft going forward. For its own employees, Microsoft already offers AI training sessions, but it's now expanding those efforts to the public.

Microsoft today announced the Microsoft Professional Program in AI, a public program that offers up online courses intended to give engineers "job-ready skills and real-world experience" in AI and data science. From Microsoft:

The Microsoft Professional Program in AI is an outgrowth of Microsoft's internal AI training initiatives, including what was internally dubbed AI School 611, a project-based semester-style program that provides a competitively selected group of employees with tools, training and mentoring from leading experts in AI and machine learning to bring new AI capabilities into their product or service.

In total, the program is made up of 10 required courses, with each running for three months starting at the beginning of a quarter. The courses can be taken in any order, and each includes hands-on labs and assessments. Anyone who successfully completes the learning track will earn a Microsoft Professional Program Certificate in Artificial Intelligence.

For more, you can check out the Professional Program for AI at Microsoft.