The aim of the Master's degree course in Artificial Intelligence is to enable students to acquire the multidisciplinary knowledge and skills necessary for the effective application of computer skills in the field of artificial intelligence and its disciplines. Students are expected to acquire solid skills in the fields of computer science and engineering, with particular emphasis on methods based on "symbolic" representations of problems, i.e. representations that use and manipulate symbols, such as representations based on logic, and state-space search methods; methods based on probabilistic representations, typical of data-driven machine learning; artificial intelligence methods whose decisions can be understood by humans, in line with the current strong trend towards regulation of artificial intelligence for applications involving autonomous agents and humans.
This knowledge will be supported by in-depth studies in other disciplines aimed at developing learning paths concerning: the development of mathematical models and the solving of optimisation problems; the use of principles and sources of law concerning the management of artificial intelligence tools; the development of applications in the economic and financial spheres; knowledge of the ethical bases for the management of artificial intelligence technologies in the production context and in relation to the interpretation of socio-economic phenomena connected with it.
In particular, the following specific training objectives have been identified
- a consistent theoretical and practical basis on machine learning and deep learning that provides the student with the basics and the state of the art in the field;
- a consistent theoretical and practical basis on planning and scheduling, i.e. symbolic and constraint programming, which are the foundations of classical AI;
- a consistent theoretical and practical basis on reinforcement learning elements for the design of adaptive artificial intelligence systems;
- a substantial theoretical and practical basis on elements of advanced programming for AI in order to provide students with the foundations for the design, assembly and deployment (e.g., on the cloud) of software architectures aimed at AI;
- a consistent theoretical and practical basis on methods for the study, analysis and evaluation of cooperation between agents, in this case AI algorithms and human operators;
- methodological-operational aspects of mathematics, statistics, physics, law and ethics relating to AI problems;
- An understanding of the impact of artificial intelligence solutions in the social context;
- Knowledge of one's professional and ethical responsibilities;
- The knowledge of basic cognitive tools for the continuous updating of one's knowledge.
All this knowledge will aim to enable students to be able to develop complex methods, tools and technologies based on artificial intelligence in various application areas.
These objectives provide the cultural, scientific and technical foundations of the Artificial Intelligence graduate and take into account the requirements that have emerged from the meeting with stakeholders.

The courses are organised over the two years so as to ensure proper sequencing in the acquisition of concepts. In particular, knowledge related to the theoretical foundations of Artificial Intelligence is provided in the first year courses. More specific knowledge concerning advanced techniques, specific applications of Artificial Intelligence and related activities are provided in the second semester of the first year and in the second year. The harmonisation of teaching content is supported by the presence of laboratories that integrate different knowledge and application skills, and are designed to develop application, interpersonal and team-working skills. The workshops also serve as preparation for the apprenticeship. The harmonisation of content is supported by the presence of applied and by nature interdisciplinary examinations. In the second year the student is also required to undertake a training and orientation placement.

JOB PROFILES

• ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST

Function in a work context:
Holds roles such as the coordinator of artificial intelligence projects, the analyst of software with artificial intelligence capabilities, the developer of software modules with artificial intelligence capabilities, the integrator of such modules or the verifier of such modules. In general, the AI Specialist takes on roles of responsibility in the design and development of artificial intelligence methods and tools to create systems capable of autonomously acquiring knowledge and developing models and strategies. Examples of such systems are: systems for knowledge management and knowledge extraction from large amounts of data (e.g., social networks, internet); artificial intelligence systems for the film and video game industry; AI systems for extracting, managing and processing data related to environmental monitoring and climate change; AI systems for economics and finance; AI systems for sustainable growth (e.g., "smart building", "smart cities", "smart grids"); AI systems for medicine (e.g., diagnostics, tele-medicine); AI systems for the product and service industry (e.g., "AI-assisted programming", automatic text and speech translation, cybersecurity, autonomous robots, assisted and autonomous driving systems).

Skills associated with the function:
- Ability to interact effectively with experts in different application areas in order to coordinate projects related to artificial intelligence-based software;
- Ability to supervise collaborators, coordinate and participate in AI-based product project teams, and to plan and conduct training on AI topics;
- Ability to interact effectively with experts in different application fields in order to understand the specific project requirements related to AI modules and their interaction with the users and processes involved;
- Ability to analyse, design and verify the functionality and performance of AI systems;
- Ability to develop AI-based technologies and to describe the solutions and technical aspects clearly and comprehensibly to end users and decision-makers;
- Ability to understand the functionality required by the various modules of an artificial intelligence application and to integrate these modules harmoniously within the application;
- Ability to perform specific tests for the evaluation of artificial intelligence applications and the verification of properties required for their use.

Employment opportunities:
The advanced knowledge provided by the CdS allows the Artificial Intelligence Specialist to find employment in industries operating in the areas of software production, companies operating in the multimedia area, service and security companies, companies operating in environmental protection and tourism, in the Public Administration, in companies operating in commerce, distribution and logistics, companies and entities operating in the health sector, insurance companies or banks, in industries for automation and robotics, or to work as a freelancer.