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28 October 2019

An overview of all education and training opportunities in Berlin on the subject of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has arrived in everyday life and has become part of many professions. The growing influence of AI on the economy and areas of public life is growing, but also necessitates an expansion of training and further education offers. Universities now offer courses such as Data Science or Humanoid Robotics. Com­panies send their employees on advanced training courses and those interested familiarise themselves with the topic in online courses and adult education centres. Global players such as Microsoft and Google also pass on their expertise in online courses.

Many training courses do not necessarily focus on learning how to program algo­rithms, but rather on conveying the potential of AI. Why is this important? AI experts are rare, but the opportunities for companies are huge and the career prospects are promising.

The following is an overview of education and training offers in the field of artificial intelligence, data science, robotics and machine learning in Berlin and the surround­ings:

AI at universities

The University of Potsdam offers an exciting master's programme in Data Science. The interdisciplinary subject combines machine learning, statistical data analysis, scientific data assimilation and business analytics. The English-language programme is aimed at mathematicians, computer scientists and business IT specialists with a bachelor's degree.

At the Faculty of Digital Engineering of the Hasso Plattner Institute of the University of Potsdam one can complete a master’s degree in Data Engineering. The course language is German and graduates can take up management positions as Data Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Specialist or Strategic Data Analyst.

Since 2018, Beuth University of Applied Sciences has been offering the Bachelor programme in Humanoid Robotics, which consists of the core areas of mechanics, electrical engineering, programming and physics. The university also offers a certifi­cate course in Data Science, which lasts approximately six months. The course is aimed in particular at economists, engineers and computer scientists who have already been dealing with the subject of data processing.

In parallel to conducting cutting-edge research, the Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data (BIFOLD) focuses on training future scientists in the fields of data management and machine learning. With a newly established graduate school and an associated international master's program (EIT Digital Data Science Master's), BIFOLD offers excellent training capacities. In addition, BIFOLD researchers have established the Data Science and Engineering (DSE) track at TU Berlin. It enables master's students in computer science and business informatics to specialize in this field.

The Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR) offers a dual study program in Digital Transformation (M.Sc.), (Information in German), which teaches sound scientific working methods for the digital networked world of tomorrow and focuses on technology specializations such as Data Science or Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Topics such as data analysis and statistical programming, data mining, databases, and Big Data are the focus of the English-language International Master's in Project Management and Data Science at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin), which aims to prepare future project managers for data-driven careers with academic knowledge, practical experience, and connections to industry.

At Steinbeis University, students can also specialize in the field of Data Science as part of their Master's degree in Business Information Systems (Information in German) at the Berlin location, which provides relevant knowledge for planning and designing, managing and optimizing IT processes and application systems.

Students of the Master Computer Science (M.Sc.) - Big Data and Artificial Intelligence at SRH Berlin learn about the latest Big Data technologies and how to implement AI tools in companies. In addition to technological expertise, analysis, business and soft skills are also strengthened in various projects.

Further training at academies and institutes

The influence which artificial intelligence has on one's own company and the value chain is becoming increasingly important. For example, many academies and insti­tutes offer advanced training courses which deal with the basics, methods and appli­ca­tions so that managers in particular can optimize processes in companies.

The Bitkom Academy offers a three-month training course for AI managers. The Haufe Akademie organizes a two-day seminar on Artificial Intelligence for Decision Makers - Applications, Strategies, Business Models. A first insight into AI buzzwords and trends is given by the Quadriga Academy in a one-day seminar: Artificial Intelli­gence - Chances, Risks, Trends (German). The UPLINX qualification programme of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence deals with the Smart Textiles department in Berlin. The teaching concept takes into account the different levels of previous knowledge of the participants and offers versatile forms of experimentation.

At the newly founded Data Science Institute of the bbw berlin of the Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft, experienced experts, innovative startups, practical trainers, young students and established researchers are working for the digitization of medium-sized businesses. Together with partners, practice-oriented online qualification programs are offered for employees as well as private individuals, which can be completed with a university certificate after the appropriate examination – for example, in courses on data awareness, Python programming, further education to become a data analyst or data scientist (Information in German).

Online courses

The market for online training is huge, offering on-demand and live courses over both short and long periods. Some programmes can also be completed by self-study, and there is usually a certificate of attendance. For example, there is the further training Certified Specialist - Industrial Robots (German) - setting up, operating and program­ming at WBS Training, which trains participants to become specialists for robot tech­nology within 76 days. Participants and trainers meet in a virtual classroom and have the opportunity to exchange ideas live.

The online platform of the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering, mooc House, offers free continuing education courses, which can be completed by self-study. Scientists, representatives from companies, developers and users offer their knowledge in video formats. In three course weeks one can extend one’s knowledge of Machine Learning with 38 videos. A certificate of attendance is issued when 50 per cent of the course materials have been accessed.

Google and Microsoft also offer the knowhow of their experts in a variety of online courses in the areas of data science, data analysis and machine learning. The courses are held in English and are free of charge. They last four to six weeks. Certificates are also issued for a fee.

Machine Learning from A-Z: Phyton & R for Data Science (German) is an on-demand course from Udemy offering 36 hours of video and 20 articles. The big advantage is that access to the content remains after the course has been completed. Participants should already have programming skills, but do not need to be familiar with Python or R.

The online learning platform Udacity also offers a variety of courses in its School of AI, from AI Product Manager to Machine Learning Engineer. The courses usually last three months and require ten hours of work per week.

Elements of AI is a free online course of the University of Helsinki. It consists of six chapters with different exercises. The aim of the course is to demystify AI and give participants an understanding of the impact of AI on our lives.

The AI Campus offers a variety of proprietary and curated learning opportunities in different topics of Artificial Intelligence, as well as courses, videos, podcasts and many other formats for students, professionals and lifelong learners. In addition, the platform enables exchange and networking with learners and exciting experts from the AI Campus community. Learn more in this blog post.

Offers at the Adult Education Centres

Those interested will find regular courses in artificial intelligence at the Berlin Adult Education Centres (German). The courses range from sociocritical considerations to user-oriented data processing.