Introduction to AI

This course makes use of AI‑generated images and avatars to enhance visual learning and engagement. All course content has been written by Gavin Thompson, drawing on deep practical experience in business transformation, operational excellence, and applied AI.

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence is designed to give you a clear, confident understanding of what AI really is, how it has evolved, and why it matters today. Rather than overwhelming you with mathematics or complex technical theory, the course focuses on explaining AI concepts in plain, accessible language, supported by rich, visually engaging illustrations that bring abstract ideas to life.

The course is ideal for professionals, leaders, analysts, architects, and curious learners who want a broad, structured overview of AI, without needing a technical background. By the end of the course, you will be able to clearly distinguish between different types of AI, understand how modern systems are built on earlier foundations, and confidently participate in conversations about AI strategy, adoption, and governance.

Beyond concepts, the course places strong emphasis on real‑world organisational impact. You will explore how AI can be applied within organisations to improve efficiency, decision‑making, and innovation, while also examining the implications of AI for current and future job roles. This includes an honest discussion about automation, augmentation, and the skills organisations need to develop to remain competitive.

Topics covered include:

• Automata and Robotics

• Expert Systems and Expert Robotics

• Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

• Machine Learning and Deep Learning

• Cognitive Robotics

• Foundation Models and Transformers

• Generative AI & Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)

• Agentic AI and AI Agents

• Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

• AI and the Intelligent Organisation

This course provides a strong foundation for anyone looking to understand AI in context, where it came from, how it works at a conceptual level, and how it is shaping the intelligent organisations of today and tomorrow.