Unit rationale, description and aim

To make analysts’ work faster, more efficient, and more accurate and enable natural language interactions with analytics systems, organisations are turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics technologies and augmented analytics—including machine learning, natural language interactions, and complex algorithms. Augmented analytics is the use of enabling technologies such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist with data preparation, insight generation and insight explanation to augment how people explore and analyse data in analytics and Business Intelligence (BI) platforms. It also augments the expert and citizen data scientists by automating many aspects of data science, machine learning, and AI model development, management, and deployment.

This unit provides students with the foundational knowledge of using AI and Analytics as computerised support for decision making. This unit covers Microsoft’s AI Fundamentals curriculum and provides a pathway to the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification. Also, students will learn to apply various advanced tools for developing AI-driven analytics solutions.

The aim of the unit is to prepare students for the era of cognitive analytics and artificial intelligence which is changing the way individuals interact with data and systems, and the way businesses are run. This unit enables students to build AI-driven solutions for supporting individuals, organisations and society. 

This unit if offered from 2024.

2025 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit

Prerequisites

ITEC203 Introduction to Data Science and Machine Learning

Incompatible

ITEC327 Essentials of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Describe fundamental principles of Artificial Inte...

Learning Outcome 01

Describe fundamental principles of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning for business and data analytics

Describe features of Computer Vision, Natural Lang...

Learning Outcome 02

Describe features of Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and conversational Artificial Intelligence workloads on Microsoft Azure platform

Use visual tools to create machine learning models...

Learning Outcome 03

Use visual tools to create machine learning models, build a conversational bot and analyse text and images

Apply Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning...

Learning Outcome 04

Apply Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools and techniques to solve real-world problems of businesses, environment and society

Content

Topics will include:

  • Artificial intelligence, Concepts, Drivers, Major Technologies, and Business Applications
  • AI support for decision making
  • Machine-Learning Techniques for predictive analytics
  • Deep learning and Cognitive computing
  • Knowledge Systems: Expert Systems, Recommenders, Chatbots, Virtual Personal Assistants and Robo Advisors
  • Caveats of Analytics and AI: Ethics, Privacy, Organisational and Societal impacts

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with university assessment requirements. The first assessment item consists of several machine learning tasks designed to develop students' AI analytical skills and prepare them for the next two assessment tasks. The second assessment item is a Microsoft Certification exam that assesses students' fundamental knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. It also assesses students' understanding of using basic Microsoft Azure services related to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The final assessment is an AI and machine learning project that assesses students’ AI and machine learning knowledge for data analytics purposes with consideration of AI ethics and safety. 

The assessments for this unit are designed to demonstrate the achievement of each learning outcome. To pass this unit, you are required to obtain an overall mark of at least 50%.  

Overview of assessments

Assessment Task 1: Developmental exercises  The f...

Assessment Task 1: Developmental exercises 

The first assessment item consists of several practical exercises using Microsoft Azure AI platform. 

Submission Type: Individual 

Assessment Method: Practical Tasks 

Artefact: Program Files.

Weighting

25%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Certification Exam  This asses...

Assessment Task 2: Certification Exam

 This assessment task requires students to undertake AI-900: Microsoft AI Fundamental Certification Exam.

The exam assesses students’ foundational knowledge of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and related Microsoft Azure services.  

Submission Type: Individual 

Assessment Method: Exam 

Artefact: Certification.

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 3:  Augmented Analytics Project I...

Assessment Task 3:  Augmented Analytics Project

In this assessment students apply various workloads on Microsoft Azure platform including Machine Learning Models, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, and Conversational AI, to solve the problems in the context of a case study.

To ensure academic integrity student are required to present their work in class or record and submit a video presentation.

Submission Type: Individual 

Assessment Method: Practical Tasks + Written Report 

Artefact: Report + Program File + Presentation 

Weighting

45%

Learning Outcomes LO2, LO3, LO4

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, online forum participation and assessment preparation. 

This unit is offered in different modes (“Attendance” mode and “Online” mode)to cater to the learning needs and preferences of a range of participants and maximise effective participation for isolated and/or marginalised groups.  

Attendance Mode 

In attendance mode, students will require face-to-face attendance in blocks of time determined by the School. Students will have face-to-face interactions with lecturer(s) to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is structured with required upfront preparation before workshops. The online learning platforms used in this unit provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for you to prepare and revise.  

Online Mode 

This unit utilises an active learning approach whereby students will engage in e-module activities, readings and reflections, and opportunities to collaborate with peers in an online environment. This can involve, but is not limited to, online workshops, online discussion forums, chat rooms, guided reading, and webinars. To deliver core content, pre-recorded lectures will be incorporated within the online learning environment and e-modules. In addition, electronic readings will be provided to guide students’ reading and extend other aspects of online learning. 

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Sharda, R., Delen, D., Turban, E., 2020, Analytics, Data Science, & Artificial Intelligence: Systems for Decision Support, Global Edition, Pearson.

Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (Online – Open Access), Available at: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-ai-fundamentals/

LaPlante, A., 2019, What Is Augmented Analytics?, O'Reilly Media, Inc.

Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig, 2020. Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, 4th edition Pearson. 

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