Deep Learning Foundations: CDS Alumni Return to the Cutting Edge
Artificial intelligence has revolutionized industries from healthcare to finance. Now, CDS is bringing alumni back to the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.
CDS announced a new course in the center’s newly launched Lifelong Learning Program. “Foundations of Deep Learning” offers CDS alumni the chance to dive into the latest advancements in AI and machine learning. The course is engaging participants in cutting-edge concepts and applications.
The eight-week course, which began on September 3, is based on CDS’ renowned free online DS-GA 1008 Deep Learning course. It’s taught by Courant Institute Clinical Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Data Science Alfredo Canziani, who designed the course based on the original material from CDS founding director Yann LeCun.
Professor Canziani emphasizes the interactive nature of the course content: “The videos are not just recordings of lectures. I interact with animations, and when I explain mathematical concepts, the math pops up in the background. It’s very engaging and designed specifically for online consumption.”
The course covers four main topics over eight weeks:
- Introduction and Back Propagation
- Convolutional Neural Networks
- Structured Prediction
- Associative Memories and Transformers
Each two-week block concludes with an assignment, allowing students to apply their newfound knowledge. The course culminates with an exploration of transformer models, the technology behind groundbreaking AI systems like ChatGPT.
The course’s structure balances rigor with flexibility. Students will participate in both asynchronous and synchronous discussions with Canziani, ensuring a dynamic and interactive experience while allowing them to balance their studies with professional commitments. Biweekly homework assignments, totaling four full days of work over the eight-week period, challenge participants to apply their newfound knowledge.
CDS Director of Academic and Student Affairs Kathryn Angeles highlighted the program’s exclusivity. “This opportunity is only open to CDS alumni,” she said. Angeles noted that while there are no tuition costs and no credit is received, participants who successfully complete the course will receive a pass/fail grade and a notification of completion.
The course represents CDS’ commitment to ongoing education in a rapidly evolving field. It’s a chance for alumni to reconnect with groundbreaking research and applications in deep learning.
As the field of AI continues to advance at breakneck speed, courses like “Foundations of Deep Learning” ensure that CDS alumni remain at the forefront of innovation. It’s a testament to CDS’ dedication to lifelong learning and its position at the vanguard of data science education.
By Stephen Thomas
