AI Foundations for Innovation

In stock

SKU
SC-198
Demystify AI and innovate with confidence

Develop a foundational understanding of AI, its evolution, applications, and ethical considerations with this self-paced, course.  Gain hands-on experience with AI tools and prompt engineering techniques to enhance your productivity and decision-making and innovation potential.

Duration
12 weeks
Mode
Online
Microcredential
$2,200.00

Key facts

Course category
AI, Cybersecurity and Technology, AI and Technology Innovation, AI and Cybersecurity
Options
Option 1 Self-paced Available anytimeOnline (On demand)
Duration
12 weeks
Group Bookings
Enquire now
Prerequisite/s
There are no prerequisites for this short course
Certification
Digital Credential

Why this microcredential?

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries, from healthcare to marketing. Whether you're looking to integrate AI into your work or simply curious about its potential, this course offers a structured, accessible introduction to AI concepts, tools, and challenges. Gain practical skills that will help you harness AI effectively and ethically in a rapidly evolving landscape.

 

This microcredential addresses the growing demand for professionals to develop fluency in AI, understand its potential, and gain the confidence to explore how AI can drive competitive advantage, efficiency and improved customer outcomes and equip you for the rapid pace of digital transformation.

Why study a short course at La Trobe

Industry experience while you study

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Rising demand

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Powerful Collaborations

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Course content

This microcredential consists of three modules: 


Module 1: Foundations of modern AI

  • Understanding AI fundamentals and core concepts, AI vs. generative AI, AI functionality, inputs, processes, and outputs
  • Overview of AI branches, including machine learning, natural language processing, and neural networks
  • Key historical milestones, early automation concepts, the Dartmouth Conference, and the deep learning revolution
  • Introduction to AI-powered enterprise platforms, open-source AI tools, and consumer applications like ChatGPT, Gemini, and virtual assistants.
     

Module 2: Implementation and industry applications

  • Practical AI skills in prompt engineering, AI implementation frameworks, and tool evaluation
  • Case studies of industry-specific applications: business, finance, healthcare, education, government, and the non-profit sector.
  • Technical implementation:  API development, data engineering, system architecture, and scalability considerations.
     

Module 3: Ethics, governance, and future directions

  • Addressing bias, transparency, and fairness in AI models using ethical AI frameworks
  • Strategies for data protection, compliance, cybersecurity, and intellectual property
  • Building AI-aware organisations: change management, skill development, and fostering a culture of responsible AI use.
  • Quantum AI, autonomous agents, and trends shaping the future of AI.


On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded a digital credential.  

You’ll learn:

This microcredential will equip you with foundational knowledge of AI principles and the critical insights needed to understand AI capabilities, enabling you to apply AI tools, evaluate its impact, and navigate ethical considerations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Understand AI fundamentals, generative AI, and real-world applications

  • Apply AI tools such as chatbots and text/image generators
  • Evaluate AI’s role in automating tasks and optimizing workflows
  • Identify ethical challenges, including bias, privacy, and compliance
  • Analyse emerging AI trends and their societal impacts

Your study experience

This microcredential is self-paced and delivered fully online.  You'll have access to the course for six months from date of registration.

The total expected time commitment for this microcredential is 120 hours, including guided learning, additional readings, and assessment.

 The assessment for this course will include:

  • Reflection activities to connect to AI concepts in your own industry or sector
  • Practical assignments, such as creating prompts for generative AI tools or analysing a real-world AI application

Who you'll learn from

Tiffani Howell

Tiffani is a Research Fellow in the School of Psychology and Public Health. She has extensive experience in research on animal welfare, dog-owner relationships, and assistance dogs, including surveys, focus groups, and behavioural studies. She is currently co-leading a trial, funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, to understand the effectiveness of assistance dogs as an adjunct to treatment for veterans with PTSD.

Vanessa Rohlf 

Vanessa is a Research Officer in the School of Psychology and Public Health, and is a consultant, therapist, and educator specialising in compassion fatigue, stress management, pet loss, and animal bereavement.

Paulieen Bennett 

Pauleen is Head of Department of Psychology and Counselling at La Trobe University. She is Australia’s leading expert in Anthrozoology, past-President and Fellow of the International Society for Anthrozoology, and Associate Editor of the field’s leading journal, Anthrozöos. Since 2011, she has led a multidisciplinary research group focusing on human-companion dog relationships, and particularly on how these impact human health and dog welfare.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Find out more about further education at La Trobe  View all FAQ

I would like information about a short course. Who can assist me?  

Email: LaTrobeProfessional@latrobe.edu.au 

Phone: 1300 135 045

I have paid the fee for a short course. When will I be able to access it?  

On completion of your registration, you'll be provided with an account on our Learning Management System (LMS) and the course material will be made available at the advertised date, or as outlined on your registration confirmation email.  For our on-demand courses, access will be immediate.

What payment options are there?

  • You may arrange to pay by BPAY or EFT
  • For group bookings, we encourage purchase orders.  Contact us for a quote, and upon receipt of your purchase order we can make the course available to you.
  • Unfortunately, we are not able to arrange instalment payments.

Contact us on LaTrobeProfessional@latrobe.edu.au for assistance. 

Can I arrange payment with a Purchase Order?

Yes, we accept Purchase Orders. Please email to LaTrobeProfessional@latrobe.edu.au and our La Trobe Professional team will provide you with payment details and access to your course. 

I am getting an error when I try to log into my LMS account. Can you help? 

  • The first thing to check is your order confirmation email - it will contain your Learning Management System (LMS) account and password.  Note that this account may not be the same as your staff, student or previous short course participant account. 
  • The second thing to check is that you're logging on as a short course participant and not as a student - choose 'Other Users' - select Short Course as your institution and use your account and password as provided.

If you need any assistance, contact us on LaTrobeProfessional@latrobe.edu.au. 

I want to enrol multiple staff in a short course. How do I go about this? 

Contact LaTrobeProfessional@latrobe.edu.au so that we can discuss options with you.  

What certification will I receive?

The type of certification depends on the assessment involved in the course. For example:

  • Microcredentials:  You will receive a digital credential that confirms the skills you’ve acquired, any assessments you’ve completed and potential pathways for credit or advanced standing towards a degree. 
  • Other assessed short courses:  This may include bridging programs or courses that prepare you for external certification from a professional body.  You might receive a certificate of achievement or a digital badge (a digital version of a certificate of achievement).
  • Non-assessed courses:  If a course doesn’t involve formal assessment, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance.
  • Single-subject enrolment: If you enrol in a single subject, you will receive an official transcript for that subject.

Please note that short courses or microcredentials are not formal qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework but may be eligible for consideration as advanced standing (credit) towards a degree.

What is a microcredential? 

Microcredentials are short courses that are assessed, carry academic credit, and to deliver specific skills or knowledge.  While they can be taken as standalone courses, many are designed to be combined or ‘stacked’ with other microcredentials to form the equivalent of a subject within a degree program.  Upon successful completion, you’ll earn a digital credential that outlines the skills and credit obtained, and any opportunities for stacking.

For La Trobe microcredentials, any advanced standing or stacking pathways are clearly expressed on the course page.   

What is advanced standing?

Advanced standing refers to credit for prior study or formal learning that can be credited towards a qualification, thereby reducing the number of subjects required to complete a course. For short courses or microcredentials (if these have been completed through recognised institutions or platforms and are deemed equivalent to La Trobe University subjects), credit may be granted either for specific La Trobe subjects or as unspecified credit towards elective requirements of a La Trobe course.

For La Trobe microcredentials, any advanced standing or stacking pathways are clearly expressed on the course page.   Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll receive a digital credential, which may be used when applying for credit for the relevant degree at La Trobe.

For more details, visit the University’s advanced standing web page.