AI is quite a topic. Like everything else that pops up and seeks to revolutionize the world, it’s hard to grasp at first. At least for me. As a designer I am responsible for gaining knowledge about topics that have some interactions with my field of expertise. AI is definitely something where I strive to have a profound knowledge about.
Why AI though
There is a vast amount of topics where I could gain deeper knowledge as a designer. AI is something that is both: a powerful force and a huge misunderstanding. Many marketing and sales teams all over the world, does harm on the term by using it in an inflationary way. It almost seems that every algorithm today is AI as long as it sells. Artificial Neural Networks, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence simply sounds fucking great!
What I also like to address real quick is the fact, that we all using AI on a daily basis without really knowing it. We are using Software like Google Maps, Siri and Facebook. These tools and services utilizing AI to - for example - give better search results or predicting what a user is going to do next.
Dealing with this topic in general helps me to understand the underlying possibilities. I don’t need to know all the technical details to be aware of the pressing questions. Questions like: how to avoid building black boxes for humans?
The KI Community
Softarex and diesdas.digital organising and hosting the KI Community Meetup in Berlin. They have started the KI Community from the ground up to inspire and connect people from all disciplines and level of knowledge. For me that’s the first touchpoint on my personal mission learning about AI. I already feel inspired by the people who started this initiative.
If you, like me, just starting to gain interessent in this very topic I absolutely endorse this MOOC: Elements Of AI.
“The Elements of AI is a series of free online courses created by Reaktor and the University of Helsinki. We want to encourage as broad a group of people as possible to learn what AI is, what can (and can’t) be done with AI, and how to start creating AI methods. The courses combine theory with practical exercises and can be completed at your own pace.”
Feature Image by Reuben Wo