The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown exponentially in the last few decades. The rising use of automation technologies, the creation of new tools and research methods, and the increasing demand for digital material have significantly impacted our world and the way we envision the future. It has opened up a new realm of possibilities in virtually every single field from agriculture to space exploration. Such technologies are constantly being improved and new ones are being created. We have been experiencing a technological transition that has created enormous amounts of data. We are all inevitably part of this transition, However, there are ways to develop into a specialised career in this area. Completing a Masters degree in AI is a great place to start.
In this article, EDUopinions briefly explains why it is worth considering such programmes, what you will learn, and what jobs will be available to you upon completion of your studies. It also provides an extensive list of outstanding masters degrees in various universities (including online degrees).
Is it worth doing a masters in artificial intelligence?
Our world is increasingly relying on automation. Creating such technologies requires extensive knowledge about AI as well as the fields in which the technologies will be used. Therefore, studying AI can end up leading to very diverse curricula. Whether you want to focus solely on maths and engineering or linguistics and other more social fields, studying AI will enable you to incorporate these interests in your studies and your subsequent professional career. Doing a masters in AI will provide you with the tools and knowledge to become a change-maker and carve out a career answering society’s advancing technological needs. Automation and other forms of AI have been taking over jobs that were traditionally performed by humans… Nevertheless, our reliance on technology has, and continues to create a tremendous amount of jobs and an increasing demand for young and motivated AI engineers.
What will I learn?
John McArthy, the father of AI said that it is “making a machine behave in ways that would be called intelligent if a human was so behaving”. During your masters degree in AI, you will learn to build programmes, create projects, and you will be given the opportunity to apply what you learn to innovate. Depending on your interest, you will learn about the science behind the functioning of software and robots, learn about ethical dilemmas in the use of AI, you will reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of humans and the systems we have created. As you will see further in this article, each masters offers a different programme which usually specialises in one or several AI disciplines. We are confident that you will find one that catches your interests.
What jobs will it open up for me?
AI is constantly evolving. Humans innovate, replace old jobs with AI and create new jobs that require AI. The diversity of jobs which require AI knowledge and skills is incredibly big. In other words, there are jobs in data analysis, tech engineering, robotics, software engineering, business automation, marketing, social and biological computing, research and development, and many more. So many of these jobs will give you the opportunity to collaborate with other fields, such as educational innovation, welfare, finance and health. This all depends on the specialisation you choose for your masters, and how you engage with learning afterwards.
Working in AI will require you to keep yourself up to date with new technologies in your field, and continue to learn throughout your professional life. This can be an amazing asset as it will make you an adaptable professional, and it might lead you to work in several different departments throughout your career. Lastly, an exciting aspect of AI is also that it can confidently be said that it will create new jobs. Therefore, maybe you will work in a field that we don’t even know about yet.
The Best Masters in AI
MSc Artificial Intelligence at Imperial College London
This masters at Imperial College London is mostly for students with a strong background in mathematics, physics and engineering, who have not extensively studied computer science. It is a flexible programme that lets you choose your area of interest in AI, and requires you to engage in group projects. Alternatively, if you are a computer science student, this university offers a masters degree in computing, which focusses on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Artificial Intelligence MSc at the University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is one of the best AI centres in Europe, occupying the 5th position in the Computer Science ranking. It offers extensive informatic research training, as well as courses in automatic speech recognition, advanced vision, robotics, and others. Hence, it prepares students extremely well for academic research. The programme uses flexible course options, which gives you a lot of freedom in the organisation of your degree.
Master of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence AT TILBURG UNIVERSITY
The two-year Master’s program Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University – granted institutional quality assurance by the NVAO – in the Netherlands is designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of human cognition and artificial intelligence. Within the domain of AI, the program focuses mainly on computational cognition, hybrid intelligence and human-AI interfacing. The program is built on a balanced mix of theory and practice, and is taught by academics who are experts in the domains of artificial intelligence, cognitive science and data science. Students at Tilburg University are educated in a green modern campus and in an international environment to become knowledgeable and self-aware individuals, who understand society and want to play a significant role in overcoming global issues and societal challenges.
MSc in Artificial Intelligence at Radboud University
Radboud University, in the Netherlands, offers an AI masters with two departments: the cognitive focus department and the intelligent technology department. In the former one, you will learn to build intelligent systems as well as understand naturally intelligent systems with computer models. The latter one focuses in depth on the intersection between human intelligence and machine intelligence.
MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence at Cranfield University
The masters in applied AI at Cranfield University specialises in teaching about deep learning and the understanding of AI structures. It includes an extensive module on the ethical components and dilemmas of AI. Twenty percent of your final grade will depend on group projects during which you can express your talents and learn from others. It mostly attracts people who want to work in the aerospace industry, defence, security, and the environment.
MSc in Digital Transformation at Montpellier Business School
The Montpellier Business School offers a masters in digital transformation. You will learn about the technological transition that our world has continuously experienced in the past decades. Your courses will use a lot of case studies, and enable you to follow one of two specialisations:
- Digital management: getting society on board and at pace with digital transformation.
- Data science, big data & AI: understanding and managing data.
MSc in Artificial Intelligence at EM Normandie
The MSc Artificial Intelligence for Marketing Strategy relies on the know-how of EM Normandie and EPITA – a private French Grande École specialized in the field of computer science and software engineering – to develop a global vision of Artificial Intelligence applied to marketing. Accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles, the 2-year programme includes an internship and a field trip to Dublin to discover the GAFAs (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon). There are multiple job opportunities after completion of the programme, such as Data Scientist, Marketing Strategist, Artificial Intelligence Consultant, etc. The programme takes place in Paris, and entry is based on the application process and a motivational interview.
MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics at TBS Education
This 12-month Master of Science program from triple-accredited TBS Education teaches you how to expertly exploit the power of data to solve business challenges. Students acquire cutting-edge data science skills and a strategic mindset to make data-driven decisions. The program includes real-life case studies with high-profile corporate partners, such as SAS, IBM, PWC, Tablo, SAP, Capgemini as well as the DEL and Data Scientist certifications. The program is taught at the TBS campus in Toulouse, voted best student city in France.
Master of Science in AI Engineering at Jönköping University
The Jönköping University in Sweden is a more recent, state-of-the-art university. It is part of a prestigious worldwide group of engineering schools, called the CDIO Initiative™. The general mission of the CDIO is to foster innovation and present a more modern vision of education for engineers. Their goal is to form an adaptive new generation of engineers. Therefore, the programme includes internships to gain practical, hands-on experience in your chosen field of interest.
Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence for Business Transformation at Skema Business School
The SKEMA Business School offers a masters in Paris about AI for business transformation. For this programme, the school works in partnership with the ESIEA graduate school of engineering, which is part of the Grandes écoles de France‘s list. Through internships and research projects, it trains managers to be capable to analyse and work with big data and AI. It will also train your soft skills while making you reflect on the international ethical stakes of AI.
Online masters in AI
Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence at IUBH University of Applied Sciences
The IUBH University of Applied Sciences Online (based in Germany) specialises in online teaching. This institution has developed four tracks in their masters in AI.
- AI Data engineer: Understanding, building and designing data.
- AI Specialist: Working with robotics and specialising in vision and language processed by AI.
- Project lead: becoming an excellent manager for AI companies and projects; understanding AI while working on leadership and organisational skills.
- Human-machine interaction specialist: becoming part of the architects who are building the important bridge between computer and human communication.
Online MSc in Artificial Intelligence at THE University OF BATH
The University of Bath created a programme that welcomes students with and without a background in computer science. The masters gives the choice between a general track and a technical track. In the general one, students will focus on the general capabilities, use, and ethical concerns of AI. In the technical track, students will deep-dive into machine learning and the technical side of AI.
MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Automation Engineering at the University of Siena – UNISI
Finally, the masters offered by the University of Siena provides you with a great diversity of options from management to software architecture. However, its speciality lays in machine learning, human-robot interfaces, and the production of automation.
As you can see, there are several options to study a masters that specialises in AI. It is an area of study that has become increasingly important and will continue to do so in the future. It gives you amazing development and career prospects while ensuring a great level of freedom of choice, as a diverse field. If we have convinced you to study AI but you don’t know whether to apply for a traditional or an online degree, learn about the pros and cons of each.
Alternatively, if this article clarified that AI is not for you, do not hesitate to check out our blog, where you will find numerous articles to help you advance in your choices of studies and universities.
Also read: The Best Masters in Cyber Security.
Recent Posts
For professionals with a few years' experience already, an MBA can be a great way of boosting your career prospects. From changing jobs or industries ...
Studying abroad for a semester or a full year can be an incredibly enriching experience. You'll get to experience a new culture, meet new people, and ...
If you're thinking of studying a technical subject like engineering at university, it's crucial that you choose a university that has a rigorous ...