I’m using what I learned to guide how I approach problems, thinking in systems, identifying where AI can and can’t add value and keeping human oversight in the driver’s seat to ensure quality and compliance.”
Jeremy, UBC Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Digital Media student
Jeremy is a media professional with experience in news broadcast operations coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder workflows in fast-paced environments. He later transitioned into project coordination roles focused on AI and operational efficiency.
What led you to seek out this program?
After leaving news, I started to see how rapidly AI was changing how work gets done. I didn’t simply want to understand the tools at a basic level, I wanted to understand how AI can be applied strategically within organizations.
I enrolled in the UBC Certificate in Aritifical Intelligence in Digital Media because I was especially interested in learning how to evaluate use cases, design workflows and support implementation so I could help teams adopt AI in a practical and responsible way.
What was the highlight for you in this program?
One of the biggest highlights was learning how to approach AI as a structured thinking partner. The program emphasized how to break down problems, evaluate opportunities and design workflows where AI supports human decision-making. The real-world examples and case-based approach made it much easier to connect the concepts to actual business scenarios, which was highly valuable coming from an operational background.
What surprised you about the program?
What surprised me most was how accessible AI has become. Anyone with access to the tools, even free versions, can start thinking creatively and strategically. You do not need to be a developer to build meaningful solutions. At the same time, I was surprised by how important structure and human judgment still are. AI is powerful, but it requires the right framing to deliver real value. That balance between capability and responsibility really stood out to me.
How are you applying the skills you learned in your personal or professional life?
I’ve started applying these skills by designing small AI-assisted workflows and exploring how automation can support research, content structuring and decision support. For example, I created an AI-assisted risk analysis tool that extracts risks, constraints and requirements from project documentation such as project charters, helping reduce manual analysis effort for project managers.
More broadly, I’m using what I learned to guide how I approach problems, thinking in systems, identifying where AI can and can’t add value and keeping human oversight in the driver’s seat to ensure quality and compliance.
Who would you recommend this program to, and why?
I would recommend this program to professionals who want to go beyond simply using AI tools and develop a deeper understanding of how to apply them in real-world contexts. It is especially valuable for people in operational, project or management roles who need to evaluate opportunities, guide implementation and work across both technical and non-technical teams.
What advice would you give to someone looking to take courses in this program?
Come into the program with a specific goal or problem in mind, ideally one from your own field. The more you can connect the material to real-world situations, the more value you will obtain from this program.
Everyone is an expert in something. The program helps you understand the “why” behind AI applications. The real and fun opportunity is figuring out the “how” through your own projects and capstone work.
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