The need to master technical skills is something facing most countries around the world. Some lessons could perhaps be learned from Finland, who have been offering their Elements of AI course free to citizens for a few years, and who recently announced that it will be expanded to all EU citizens.
The course, which was built by computer scientists at the University of Helsinki in partnership with tech firm Reaktor, began in 2018 with the aim of reaching 1% of the Finnish population, but this target was reached within three months.
To date over 220,000 people have taken the course, which not only makes it the most popular course in the University of Helsinki’s 379 year history, but entitles graduates to certification from the University and the potential for local accreditation with a range of academic institutions around Europe. Completing the course guarantees students 2 ECTS points that can be put towards a degree.
Extending access
After this initial success, the team plan to roll out the course across the EU, with the course being offered in a growing number of languages to try and make it as accessible as possible.
“The significance of AI is growing,” says Finland’s Minister of Employment, Timo Harakka. “To make use of it, we need digital skills. Changing labor markets, the transformation of work, digitalization and intensifying global competition all mean one thing for the EU: we must invest in people. Every EU citizen should have the opportunity to pursue continuous lifelong learning, regardless of age and educational background.”
As well as reaching a broad geographic spread of people, the course aims to reach those who might not otherwise access such opportunities. For instance, over 40% of students are women, with 25% over 45 years of age.
“Our University has a policy of making its research and expertise benefit society at large. As research into artificial intelligence is highly advanced in Finland, it came naturally to us to make AI teaching more widely accessible,” the University of Helsinki say.
Elements of AI will be made available in all official EU languages in 2020-2021. The course is currently freely accessible online in English, Finnish, Swedish and Estonian.
