Yun Sing Koh

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming more integrated with our everyday lives. To keep in line with our changing world, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, has established a new Master of AI qualification. The cross-faculty programme equips graduates with the skills required to fulfil the demands of the global job market and push the boundaries of this dynamic field.

Dr Yun Sing Koh, a professor from the School of Computer Science, leads the degree. She is also a co-director of the Centre of Machine Learning for Social Good and an active researcher working on cutting-edge AI research in machine learning, leveraging it for social good in health and environmental applications.

The AI industry is a high-growth field that applies to many sectors. She says the new programme will open doors to many exciting careers.

“The field of AI is constantly evolving, with breakthroughs happening all the time. This rapid development keeps things interesting and regularly opens doors to new possibilities. The technology is being applied in fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, entertainment, and environmental protection.”

The programme provides students with hands-on experience with libraries, algorithms and industry-standard software. Graduates will develop a deep understanding of the inner workings of the technology, including subfields in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, that can help you identify areas of interest and may influence your career path within AI.

The transdisciplinary nature of this field goes beyond the technical, and graduates must consider the potential ramifications of their work in the world. For this reason, the programme delves into the critical ethical landscape surrounding AI, ensuring a thorough understanding of bias, transparency, privacy, and societal impact issues.

The programme has been well received by the first cohort of students:

“AI is interesting because it feels like an extension of software, and yet it requires a completely different way of thinking,” says Bryn Ward.

“We’ve got four core papers whose topics cut across each other since we’re viewing AI through different lenses: ethical, practical, managerial, and academic. On top of this, I can fine-tune the program to my desired specialisation,” says Fiona Bautista.

So, if this issue of inSCight has piqued your interest in AI, the Master of AI might be just what you are looking for to kick off your 2025.

The University also offers a Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma in AI.

“You could become a Machine Learning Engineer, building and deploying intelligent systems. Or pursue a career as an AI Researcher, pushing the boundaries of this dynamic field,” says Koh.