AI for IT Professionals

This program is designed to equip IT professionals and organizational leaders with essential knowledge and practical skills in AI-related topics such as AI Foundations, AI for strategic decision making and management, AI automation and process improvement, AI policy, governance, risk management, ethical AI, data literacy, integrating AI in the enterprise and cybersecurity.  

The framework is structured into three tiers: introduction, proficient, and mastery, covering a wide range of AI topics essential for modern IT professionals to progress based on your expertise and career goals. Designed for efficiency, each 2 week micro-course enables you to upskill quickly while balancing your work commitments. 

This program is designed for two distinct professional profiles:  

• Technical professionals: Developers, system architects and IT infrastructure specialists who require hands-on experience in AI implementation and system integration. 

• Non-technical professionals: Managers, executives and support staff who need to understand AI’s strategic, ethical and governance implications to make informed business and IT decisions. 

The program comprises of a series of micro-courses which align with specific competencies ensuring learners develop AI-related expertise that is both practical and industry-relevant. 

There are seven core tracks, with each track consisting of 2-3 micro-courses leading to different levels of proficiency.  Micro-courses in each track are designed to build upon each other so should be taken in order.

The first core track will begin with AI Foundations: Introduction to AI Concepts and Tools (AFN 10) in June 2025.  

Micro-courses by core tracks 

The AI for IT Professionals Program is an intensive, IT-focused training that closely aligns with the AI for IT Competency Framework. Each micro-course is approximately 15 hours, offering targeted, bootcamp-style learning with a strong emphasis on practical IT applications and mini-capstone projects.

In contrast, the existing AI micro-certificates offered by UBC Extended Learning provide a more comprehensive experience, with around 25 hours per course, covering topics in greater depth and breadth. While the AI for IT Professionals micro-courses deliver concise, skill-focused content, the UBC Extended Learning AI micro-certificates offer a deeper and broader exploration of AI concepts relevant to IT professionals.

Equivalencies for UBC IT Staff

UBC IT staff who have completed existing ExL AI micro-certificates may fulfill requirements for certain tracks. For equivalencies, see below:

• Micro-certificate in Artificial Intelligence Cloud Solutions Strategy covers, in both breadth and depth, the topics included in the AI Foundations track. If you have completed this micro-certificate, you have more than fulfilled the requirements for the AI Foundations track.
• Micro-certificate in AI-powered Automation and Personalization addresses the content found in the AI Automation and Process Improvement track. If you have completed this micro-certificate, you have exceeded the requirements for the AI Automation and Process Improvement track.

Please note that even if you have taken these courses above, you are more than welcome to enroll in the IT-focused AI for IT Professionals courses, if you are interested in delving into the topic with a focus on IT applications.

UBC IT staff can choose the micro-courses to take based on their role, stream (managerial or technical), interest and/or existing proficiency. Below are some examples of pathways for different roles. 

• Managerial pathway: Focus on strategy, governance, data and foundational technical awareness for IT managers, project coordinators, product managers, etc. 

• Technical pathway: Emphasizes hands-on AI, automation, integration and security for Software developers, data engineers, cybersecurity analytics, IT support, etc.  

• Senior leadership pathway: Focus on strategies, governance, advanced decision-making and broad AI literacy for CIOs, senior IT leaders, etc.  

The curriculum has been developed, and will be taught, by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and digital transformation.  

• Ricardo Trujeque, is an entrepreneur and educator whose 20-year career intersects technology, communications and education. He has co-founded several software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies that span digital media content distribution, marketing automation, language assessment, disaster resilience assessment and, currently, immersive environments for training and education. Learn more about Ricardo.

• Lawrence McDaniel, BSc, is a freelance full-stack web developer and business analyst, as well as an angel investor, entrepreneur and mentor. He has worked as a freelance technology consultant since 1999, and has advised dozens of startups as well as international banks, hedge funds and real estate investment funds. Learn more about Lawrence.

• Travis Czech, is an instructor in cybersecurity, software development, ethical hacking and data engineering. In addition to teaching, he is a solutions and security architect and business and technology consultant. Travis is an EC-Council certified ethical hacker and network defender. Learn more about Travis.

• Kelly Shiohira, BA, MA, MSc, is a Director of the Global Science of Learning Education Network and a prominent strategist recognized for her work in areas of literacy, connecting education to the world of work, and the use of AI and Technology in Education. Learn more about Kelly. 

This 100% online part-time program consists of instructor-supported real-time classes combined with independent study. 

Each micro-course will consist of at least one virtual class taught by subject matter experts and a high degree of personal engagement and interactivity. All sessions are recorded in case you miss one. 

Outside of class, you can access online materials on your own time.   

What you receive 

Upon completion, learners will receive a course completion document for each completed micro-course.  

A UBC Certificate in AI for IT Professionals (name subject to change) will be submitted to UBC Vancouver Faculty Senate for approval. Students who successfully complete at least 10 micro-courses and the Capstone course, will be eligible for a UBC Certificate, subject to the UBC Vancouver Faculty Senate approval process expected to begin later in 2025. 

Expected effort 

Expect to spend approximately 12-15 hours per micro-course completing all learning activities, including attending live sessions online. 

Textbooks and materials 

There are no textbooks required for this program. All course content is provided in the online learning management system. 

This program, offered at a discounted rate, is exclusively available to UBC IT staff.  Ineligible registrants will be withdrawn from the course.

1. IT staff must complete the UBC IT AI Upskilling Initiative Survey by May 30.
   
   
2. Register for AI Fundamentals: Introduction to AI Concepts and Tools.
    
3. Select the section you want to enrol in.
   
    
4. Add it to your cart.
   
    
5. Checkout.
   

6. Log in using your existing Campus-wide Login (CWL). You will be asked to create an account if you are new.

   If you have more than one CWL and are, or have been, a credit UBC student, use the CWL associated with your student number.

   If you have administrative access to Canvas, or otherwise have questions about which CWL to use, please contact our support team. 

   Do NOT create an account using your email address.
   
    

7. Complete payment.
    
8. You will receive an email receipt after completing payment.
    
9. A day before the course start date, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the course in Canvas.

If you have any questions about registration, please contact UBC Extended Learning.