As we move towards a more digitalized world, the demand for professionals with expertise in artificial intelligence
(AI) is changing at an incredible pace. At Durham College (DC), we recognize the importance of preparing you for the
future by providing you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. Below are a few ways DC is leading the way
with exciting AI opportunities and programs to help take your education and career to the next level.
DC’s Hub for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence for Business Solutions (the AI Hub)
provides you an opportunity to work on real-world projects and gain valuable industry experience in the
field of AI.
The AI Hub is one of six applied research centres at DC and is located inside the new Centre for
Innovation and Research. The state-of-the-art facility offers industry partners access to technical
expertise, cutting-edge platforms and a pool of student talent, to uncover business insights and growth
solutions. As a result of this collaborative work, you will also benefit from mentorship and
networking opportunities with industry professionals.
Developed in response to the impact of AI on global business processes, this degree program will prepare
you with the skills, tools and techniques required to design AI solutions. A comprehensive mix of
courses, that not only focus on technical theory but also on topics including legal, social and
corporate responsibility, as well as a field placement and capstone project, will teach you project
management, as well as critical and analytical thinking.
This program – the first and only graduate certificate of its kind in Canada – will prepare you to
leverage AI by using data-driven intelligence and solving complex enterprise problems with
state-of-the-art solutions. You will also benefit from experiential learning, including access to the
college’s AI Hub, completion of two diverse capstone projects and an optional work term. You will be
prepared to enter this high-growth field, which currently sees the Greater Toronto Area as home to the
highest per-capita concentration of AI companies in the world.
This online, non-technical cybersecurity governance course is aimed at working professionals who are
managing or working with AI and Machine Learning systems. This course focuses on regulations, frameworks
and case studies pertaining to AI and Machine Learning, preparing you with the value-added skills
required to set yourself apart from others in your industry.
Why choose Durham College for your education in AI?
DC is committed to staying ahead of the curve in today’s ever-changing digital landscape. No matter what stage
of your educational journey or career, we provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Here are
some of the reasons why you should choose DC for your education in AI:
Hands-on experience: Our innovative and in-demand programs provide you with hands-on experience
in AI research and innovation.
Industry connections: Our partnerships with leading companies in the AI industry provide you
with valuable industry connections.
Expert faculty: Our expert faculty have years of experience in the AI industry to provide you
with the best possible education.
State-of-the-art facilities: Our facilities are equipped with the latest technology and
software, providing you with access to cutting-edge tools and resources.
Career opportunities: Our AI programs prepare students for careers in the AI industry, which is
one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world every day, and students like Yash Sawant are embracing it and the multitude of career opportunities it offers.
It was the graduate certificate program that enticed Sawant, an international student from India, to come to DC. He immersed himself in his studies, and will cross the stage at convocation this month.
Having already worked as a software engineer in his native country, he came to class with a solid base of knowledge that the program quickly built on.
“I got to experiment and try new things, and that was a good experience. It really sharpened my skills,” he said. “This program gave me a lot of new skills, filled in gaps in my knowledge and made me realize I didn’t know certain things that I thought I knew.”
His passion for problem-solving is what pushed him to study AI, and as he delved deeper into the course material, he knew he had made the right choice.
“I realized as I worked on more projects that there were solutions that required a human way of thinking to solve problems,” he said. “If you want to automate something a human does, you need algorithms that can actually tackle that in a certain way and to understand many different outcomes and produce a solution. I found that AI-based solutions were leading in that. AI is the way to solve most of the problems.”
Sawant worked on a wide range of projects during his time at DC, both in and out of class. For the program’s first capstone project, he built a tool designed to detect fake news. For his next capstone, he designed an AI model to predict the stock market, which he demonstrated at DC’s Student IT Expo.
“Durham College is widely regarded for its responsiveness to emerging societal needs and demands. Our faculty participate in a range of activities designed to keep them at the forefront of information,” he said. “DC not only responds to emergent issues but works to stay current and indeed ahead of where the industry or society may be.”
One example of this is a project that Sawant is also involved in: the development and use of generative AI discussion tools like ChatGPT, and the creation of a DC chatbot. Work on the initiative continues, with the goal of producing a program that can answer any questions about DC.
In addition to his time in class, Sawant also put his skills and knowledge to good use in the AI Hub, where students work under lead data scientists to provide solutions for small businesses, entrepreneurs and other clients.
“I think it’s very important in this field that you actually practice what you’ve learned,” he said. “You have to keep applying yourself and doing projects and experimenting, and that’s how you learn best. You can’t just study the theory and expect to be employed. You have to be hands-on.”
There’s no denying the impact AI has already had on the world. Like any developing technology, it has the potential to create drastic change, for good and bad, and Sawant can see both sides of the argument. He believes it will have a huge impact on productivity, with AI assistants helping everyone work faster and more efficiently. But that very utility will inevitably take jobs away from people who need them.
What’s clear is that AI is here to stay, and the newly minted DC graduate is eager to see what the future holds as he builds his life and career in Canada.
“There are a lot of tasks that are very simple that don’t require any knowledge. Menial, repetitive tasks are going to be automated and that’s going to change the world. I want to be part of that revolution.”
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