Foundations and History of Artificial Intelligence

Understanding artificial intelligence requires knowing how the technology evolved, how it works, and where it is headed next. This beginner-friendly course introduces core AI definitions, key historical milestones, and foundational principles to help you prepare for generalist AI examinations and modern technical discussions. Learn key terminology and standard definitions across the history of artificial intelligence. Explore the major historical AI booms, rule-based expert systems, and the shift toward modern data-driven approaches. Understand essential principles behind neural networks, deep learning, and generative language models. Review core concepts and industry terminology frequently tested in foundational AI credentials. Examine current trends including retrieval-augmented generation and ethical AI considerations. The course begins with foundational concepts and historical context before moving into machine learning basics and practical industry applications. Perfect for non-technical professionals, students, and certification candidates, this written text course requires no prior programming experience. Start reading today to build a clear, confident understanding of artificial intelligence.