Cyprus offers new opportunities to learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Funded through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Telecom programme, top-level universities, SMEs and research centres joined forces to design new high-quality Master programmes on AI.
The development of this new master’s programme is funded under the MAI4CAREU project (https://mai4car.eu/) and the collaboration network includes four European Universities (University of Cyprus, University of Bologna, Technical University of Dresden, and University of Ruse Angel Kanchev), the CYENS Centre of Excellence and four high-tech SMEs (Nodes & Links Labs, 3AeHealth Ltd, INJENIA SRL, MLPS AD). Building on the expertise of the partners in the consortia, the programme will follow a highly practical approach that will offer students hands-on experiences, opportunities to work closely with business partners and to learn on real case studies.
The University of Cyprus’ Master Programme that will train students in the latest AI developments and applications, is now offering twenty (20) positions for the programme starting in September 2022. The programme was recently certified by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education. The aim is to deliver a modern programme, containing a strong interdisciplinary element as required by modern human-centric, explainable, and responsible artificial intelligence. Its compulsory courses include courses on artificial intelligence and ethics, as well as on artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship. Providing career counselling to students is a high priority, with the aim of helping all graduates to successfully pursue an AI-related career, possibly set up their own start-ups.
Artificial Intelligence jobs are currently booming in a market that is extremely healthy and shows no signs of slowing down. Pursuing an AI related job is a solid choice for a high-paying career that will be in demand for decades. Harnessing the significant prospects of AI for the well-being of humanity is the underlying principle for developing systems that exhibit “intelligent” and “ethical” behavior, whether these augment human decision making, or are fully autonomous systems.
The network of collaborating partners provides students with the opportunity to participate in an AI Camp, teaming with students from the other universities, pursuing an industrial internship or even being hosted on online courses of the other universities.
Europe’s initiative to fund new master’s programmes in Artificial Intelligence demonstrates the importance Europe attaches to recent developments in this area, in providing solutions to global problems related to every aspect of human life, contributing to growth and competitiveness. Europe urgently needs more professionals in Artificial Intelligence, entrepreneurs, and researchers, capable of paving the way for new innovations for the good of society and pushing the borders of the field towards new challenges.
This new generation of AI graduates must be fully familiar with the latest technological developments in terms of the breadth and depth of technical knowledge in Artificial Intelligence, be connected to industry and be fully aware of the ethical issues involved.