BCS* Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (AI) (PLA)

Delivery Schedule 

Session 1 – 3 Hours

• The history of AI’s impact on society. Charting how AI has positively benefited society as it has developed, the impact it is currently having on society and exploring the possible impact of AI in the future.
• Sustainability, the environment and AI Exploring the positive and negative impacts AI can have on the environment and how sustainability can be designed into the creation and use of AI systems,
• Legal and Ethical AI - The role of ethical standards and robust legislation in guiding the development and use of AI. Managing risks associated with AI and developing strategies for addressing risks and ethical challenges in the organisations AI projects and day to day use.
• Developing AI - An exploration of the elements comprising a functional generative AI tool, the machine learning and reinforcement processes used to train AI models and the difference between supervised and unsupervised machine learning approaches.
• Planning an AI Project - How stakeholders are key to the success of a project to develop and implement AI solutions. How to construct and effective business case for committing resources to an AI project, including assessing the risks, costs and benefits of the proposed AI solution.
• Ai in the future - Exploring the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) or broad AI. The technical challenges involved, the risks. The potential for AI consciousness, how consciousness is defined and what this might mean ethically for AI development and use.

Self-Study and Revision – at least 11 hours

• Self-Directed Study  
• Review the content of your workshop and the content of the AI Essentials workshops, the support material you have been provided and further research AI using online tools and resources.

Session 2 Exam Prep and Examination – 3 Hours

• Exam Preparation Spend time with your tutor reviewing the course content and preparing for the examination.
• Mock Exam A chance to prepare further by completing a series of multiple-choice questions like those you may encounter in your exam.
• Exam 60 minutes to complete 40 questions under exam conditions without access to notes or internet resources.

BCS Essentials Certificate in AI

Upon completing the Essentials Certificate in AI, learners will attend two half-day workshops delivered either online via Microsoft Teams or face-to-face at the ALS Training Centre in Ocean Park Way, Cardiff. Learners will also be required to complete self-study and sit an exam. 
The programme includes:

• 1 × Half-day tutor-led knowledge workshop (online or face-to-face)
• 1 × Half-day exam preparation workshop, followed by the multiple-choice exam
• Approximately 11 hours of self-study/revision to prepare for the exam

Exam details*

• Length: 60 minutes
• Format: Multiple choice
• Number of questions: 40
• Pass mark: 65% (26/40 correct answers)

*For remote examinations, learners will require a laptop with a built-in camera or a separate webcam.

• The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
• Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
• Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
• Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
• All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
• Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
• Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.