The aim of the Master's Degree course in Artificial Intelligence is to provide students with the multidisciplinary knowledge and skills necessary for the effective application of IT skills in the field of artificial intelligence and related disciplines. Students will 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 logic-based representations 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 regulating 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 resolution of optimisation problems; the use of legal principles and sources concerning the management of artificial intelligence tools; the development of applications in the economic and financial fields; knowledge of the ethical basis for the management of artificial intelligence technologies in a productive context and in relation to the interpretation of related socio-economic phenomena.

The following specific learning objectives have been identified:
• a solid theoretical and practical foundation in machine learning and deep learning that provides students with the basics and state-of-the-art knowledge in the field;
• a solid theoretical and practical foundation in planning and scheduling, i.e. symbolic and constraint programming, which form the basis of classical AI;
• a solid theoretical and practical foundation in elements of reinforcement learning for the design of adaptive artificial intelligence systems;
• a solid theoretical and practical foundation in advanced programming for AI, providing students with the basics for the design, assembly and deployment (e.g., on the cloud) of software architectures for AI;
• a solid theoretical and practical foundation in methods for studying, analysing and evaluating cooperation between agents, in this case AI algorithms and human operators;
• methodological and operational aspects of mathematics, statistics, physics, law and ethics relating to artificial intelligence issues;
• Understanding of the impact of artificial intelligence solutions in the social context;
• Knowledge of one's professional and ethical responsibilities;
• Knowledge of the basic cognitive tools for the continuous updating of one's knowledge.

All this knowledge will aim to enable students to develop complex methods, tools and technologies based on artificial intelligence in various fields of application.
These objectives provide the cultural, scientific and technical foundations for graduates in Artificial Intelligence and take into account the requests that emerged from the meeting with stakeholders.
The courses are organised over two years in order to ensure a correct sequence in the acquisition of concepts. In particular, knowledge relating 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 is provided in the second semester of the first year and in the second year. The harmonisation of teaching content is supported by laboratories that integrate different knowledge and application skills and are designed to develop application, interpersonal and team-working skills. The laboratories also serve as preparation for the internship. The harmonisation of content is supported by the presence of applied and interdisciplinary examinations. In the second year, students must also complete a training and orientation internship.

• ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST

Role in a work context
Holds roles such as artificial intelligence project coordinator, software analyst with artificial intelligence capabilities, developer of software modules with artificial intelligence capabilities, integrator of such modules, or tester of such modules. In general, the AI Specialist assumes technical and managerial roles of responsibility in the design, development, organisation, management, and maintenance of artificial intelligence methods and tools to create systems capable of autonomously acquiring knowledge and developing models and strategies, with particular regard to the requirements of reliability, accuracy, performance, security, usability, and sustainability. Examples of such systems are: knowledge management and knowledge extraction systems from large amounts of data (e.g., social networks, the 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 buildings', 'smart cities', 'smart grids'); AI systems for medicine (e.g., diagnostics, telemedicine); 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 role
• Ability to interact effectively with experts from different application areas in order to coordinate projects related to artificial intelligence-based software;
• Ability to supervise colleagues, coordinate and participate in AI-based product project teams, and plan and conduct training on AI topics;
• Ability to interact effectively with experts in various application areas in order to understand specific project requirements relating to AI modules and their interaction with users and relevant processes;
• Ability to analyse, design and verify the functionality and performance of artificial intelligence systems;
• Ability to develop AI-based technologies and describe the solutions and technical aspects adopted in a clear and understandable way to end users and decision-makers;
• Ability to understand the functionalities required by the various modules of an artificial intelligence application and to integrate these modules harmoniously within the application;
• Ability to perform specific tests to evaluate artificial intelligence applications and verify the properties required for their use.

Career opportunities
The advanced knowledge provided by the degree programme enables Artificial Intelligence Specialists to find employment in industries operating in the fields of software production, multimedia companies, service and security companies, companies operating in environmental protection and tourism, public administration, companies operating in trade, distribution and logistics, companies and organisations operating in the healthcare sector, insurance companies or banks, automation and robotics industries, or as freelancers. In general, AI specialists can work in companies that produce Artificial Intelligence systems, as well as in public administrations and organisations that use such systems. Graduates will also be able to work in the fields of research, teaching and scientific dissemination.