Microsoft announces new online courses for developers

Microsoft announced two new courses in its online education program for developers. First will be an AI course for advanced developers who want to expand their knowledge of machine learning and the second one will be an entry-level software development course.

The AI-based program called the Microsoft Professional Program for Artificial Intelligence will be available four times a year and it should take at least a few weeks to complete the training. Developers will be given an introduction to machine-learning principles and taught how to create learning models and data sets, modelled on an internal Microsoft training program. They will be awarded “a digitally shareable, resume-worthy credential” after completing a deep learning project at the end of the course.

The overall program consists of 10 courses that range from introductions to AI and Python for data science to a class on ethics for AI developers and lots of hands-on work with training models. Most of the 10 required courses should take about eight to 16 hours to complete.

The entry-level software development program consists of 13 courses that teaches students the basics of software development, with a focus on Python and JavaScript.

The classes will be offered through edX.org, the massive open online course provider.