Last month, a new round of participants started the Brightlands AI Academy programme to get upskilled on artificial intelligence. The ambition is to improve the ability of these working professionals to identify opportunities for AI applications within their own organisations, validate them for value and then adequately act as clients to AI specialists to realise the desired AI application.
Erwin Boom, alderman for economic affairs at the Municipality of Venlo, held the official opening of the programme. Boom emphasised that AI can add value almost everywhere, even this morning on the way to the programme: “With the deployment of AI, the lift to the 16th floor of Innovatoren could automatically come back to the ground floor, without you having to press the button.” Alderman Boom sees many meaningful opportunities and concluded by wishing the participants good luck.
After the alderman kicked off, a brief introduction by the teachers followed. The students then started the content of the first module. This module involves gaining more insight into the potential and added value of artificial intelligence and will take the first three weeks. This will be followed by three more modules: developing an AI-driven innovation, validating technical feasibility and building sustainable business success.
Certified AI business professionals
To complete the programme, participants pitch their business case to their employer or sponsor and receive a certificate of participation from UMIO | Maastricht University and Fontys. They can also take online exams to be able to call themselves a certified AI for Business professional.
