ARTIFICIAL INTELIGENCE SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Overview:

Purpose:
The purpose of the Occupational Certificate: Artificial Intelligence Software Developer is to prepare a learner to operate as an Artificial Intelligence Software Developer

Artificial Intelligence Software Developers build Artificial Intelligence (AI) functionality into software applications through integrating and implementing AI algorithms and logic into the deliverables of an Information Technology (IT) project. Developers teach the machine to solve problems the way a human would through the use of programming. They create, test and deploy code. These developers also assist in converting machine learning Application Programming Interface (APIs) so that other applications can use them.

A qualified learner will be able to:

• Interpret solution design documentation and develop AI solution.
• Train the AI model through a machine learning process and test the performance to ensure that model accuracy is strictly maintained within the selection framework.
• Deploy the AI solution and maintain the solution to ensure model accuracy is strictly maintained.

Rationale:

This qualification has been developed in response to the report of the Presidential Commission on the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). This report forefronts human capital and the future of work and refers to growing skills instability. The extent of 4IR today and its impact on businesses and the economy, is unparalleled. This implies that companies need to urgently prepare as AI will shape the future of our world more powerfully than any other innovation this century.

Research findings indicate that businesses are expected to hire more technology and automation professionals in the future, pointing to the need for well-qualified developers in the AI field. The most sought-after areas of expertise include artificial intelligence, digital customer experience, internet of things and the cloud.

AI seems to be revolutionary in its ability to transform the way organisations operate, but without a workforce skilled in technology, any effort by businesses to embrace the adoption of AI initiatives will fail. This qualification focusses on establishing a firm understanding of AI technology, its applications and its use cases.

A Masters degree in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence exists. This Occupational Certificate: Artificial Intelligence Software Developer is thus unique and filling a glaring gap at the entry level of this specialist field and career path. Software developers create the applications or systems that run on a computer or another device. AI software developers build AI functionality into software applications. The role is generally focused on integrating and implementing AI algorithms and logic into the deliverable. AI, machine learning, neural networks and deep learning is a unique field, using specialist tools to create intelligence that mimics human interaction. AI developers use machine learning to create intelligence.

The IT sector and the economy will benefit from AI as it can dramatically improve the efficiencies of our workplaces, augmenting the work humans can do and reducing the consequences of human error. When AI takes over repetitive or dangerous tasks, it frees up the human workforce and enables people to use their creativity for verification, validity, security, control and so forth.

There are many ways in which AI will benefit society: AI is facilitating major advances in healthcare, and it improves customer service and the human experience. In short, AI has revolutionised the ease and dynamics with which humans interact with their environment.

The typical learners identified for this qualification are school leavers, qualified learners from TVET colleges, new entrants into the sector and existing employees who have experience in this field, but without formal recognition of skills and competencies. Professionals who want to augment their careers may also access this qualification. The qualification is structured to enable individuals without prior learning in the field of information technology to acquire the knowledge and skills to seamlessly enter the field of work.

No professional registration or licencing is expected for AI Software Developers to seek employment in the sector. AI Software Developers can be employed as AI Researchers, Machine Learning Engineers, Machine Learning Researchers, AI Architects, AI Engineers, AI Technicians, AI Developers, Business Intelligence (BI) Developers and working with engineering teams in the field of intelligent robotics.

Exit Level outcome:

1. Gather and interpret data from various sources to define an AI solution to a real-life world problem.
2. Critically analyse data and create a solution design document (SDD) that defines an artificial intelligence (AI) solution that solves a real-life world problem.
3. Choose a type or category of AI learning and the relevant algorithm to analyse data, gain insight and make subsequent prediction, or create a determination with it.
4. Train the AI model through a machine learning process and ensure that model accuracy is strictly maintained within the selection framework.
5. Select a machine learning system and build an artificial intelligence (AI) solution to a real-life world problem.
6. Implement and run the AI solution on a selected platform and check the prediction results in real-life use, then select and run the AI solution on a platform. 

Modules:

Knowledge Modules

• 251201-002-00-KM-01 Overview of Artificial Intelligence, Level 4, 2 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-02 Introduction to Mathematics and Statistics, Level 4, 10 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-03 Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving, Level 4, 3 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-04 Data, Databases and Data Visualisation, Level 4, 8 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-05 Computing Theory, Level 4, 8 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-06 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-10 Introduction to Governance, Legislation and Ethics, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 251201-002-00-KM-11 Fundamentals of Design Thinking and Innovation, Level 4, 1 Credit.
• 251201-002-00-KM-12 4IR and Future Skills, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-07 Artificial Intelligence, Level 5, 12 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-08 Machine Learning, Level 5, 16 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-KM-09 Deep Learning, Level 5, 16 Credits.

  Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 86
  
  Practical Skill Modules

• 251201-002-00-PM-01 Mathematics and Statistics for Programming, Level 4, 8 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-02 Problem Definition, Analytical Thinking and Decision-Making, Level 4, 2 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-03 Access, Analyse and Visualise Structured Data Using Spreadsheets, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-04 Use SQL to Communicate with a Database, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-05 Build a simple AI solution using Python, Level 5, 8 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-06 Use Python Data Scraping to Populate Database Table in SQL, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-07 Use Machine Learning to Build an AI solution in Python, Level 5, 6 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-08 Use Deep Learning to Build an AI Neural Network Architecture in Python, Level 5, 10 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-09 Use Deep Learning to Build an AI Neural Network Architecture in TensorFlow, Level 5, 10 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-10 Function Ethically and Effectively as a Member of a Multidisciplinary Team, Level 4, 3 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-PM-11 Participate in a Design Thinking for Innovation Workshop, Level 4, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 63

Work Experience Modules

• 251201-002-00-WM-01 AI Solution Design Interpretation and Development, Level 5, 20 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-WM-02 AI Solution Performance Testing, Level 5, 20 Credits.
• 251201-002-00-WM-03 AI Solution Deployment, Modification and Improvement, Level 5, 20 Credits.

  Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 60

Articulation Options:

This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation:

• Occupational Certificate: Computer Technician; NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

• Diploma in Information Technology; NQF Level 6. 

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