HD in Artificial Intelligence - Software Engineering Technology (Optional Co-op)

A new intelligence is reshaping our world, transforming how we work and live. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, generative AI alone could add the equivalent of $2.6–$4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, and it will be at the core of every next-generation application. The Artificial Intelligence - Software Engineering Technology program is your launchpad into this revolution. Built in direct collaboration with industry leaders, our program ensures you graduate with the most in-demand, state-of-the-art skills to not just use AI, but to build it from the ground up. Your journey: From Foundation to Specialization Our rigorous, project-based curriculum is structured around four core pillars of AI engineering, ensuring you build a deep theoretical understanding alongside industry-aligned practical skills. 1. Foundational AI and Machine Learning Core Concepts: Master the underlying theory of machine learning algorithms — including supervised, unsupervised, self-supervised, transfer, and reinforcement learning — and then implement them hands-on using industry-standard frameworks and libraries like Sklearn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch. Production Pipelines (ML/Ops): Learn to design, deploy, and maintain robust machine learning pipelines with tools like Airflow, TensorFlow TFX, and SageMaker pipelines. 2. Data Engineering and Scalable Systems Big Data Analytics: Process and analyze tabular, graph, and streaming data using Spark and the Hadoop ecosystem. Data Pipeline Design: Learn to build, maintain, and orchestrate robust data pipelines, which are the critical foundation for any AI system. Data Storage & Management: Gain proficiency in the full stack of data persistence, from SQL (e.g., Oracle, MS-SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB) databases for operational data to Vector Databases (e.g., Chroma DB) for managing embeddings and powering GenAI applications like semantic search and RAG. Cloud-Native AI Development: Architect scalable, secure AI systems on cloud platforms. API-Centric Solutions: Rapidly integrate pre-built AI capabilities by leveraging Cloud AI APIs (e.g., for vision, speech, and language) within microservices and serverless architectures. Custom ML Lifecycle Management: Build, train, deploy, and manage the complete lifecycle of custom models using managed cloud platforms like SageMaker and SageMaker pipelines. 3. Cutting-Edge AI Specializations Generative AI and LLMs: Build advanced applications with Large Language Models, RAG frameworks, and AI agentic workflows using LangChain, LangGraph, and CrewAI. Intelligent Robotics: Architect autonomous robots by synthesizing perception, navigation, and movement using Behavior Trees and LLMs within the ROS 2 framework to execute complex tasks in dynamic simulated environments. Advanced NLP: Build sophisticated natural language systems, such as intelligent chatbots capable of complex dialogue, understanding, and generation. Recommender Systems: Design and build the intelligent recommendation engines that power e-commerce and social media. 4. Professional Software Engineering AI Project Management and Engineering: Develop expertise in the end-to-end process of delivering AI projects, from initial requirements engineering and planning to execution using a mix of methodologies, including Agile methodologies and modern ML/Ops pipelines. Full-Stack AI Development: Integrate AI models into full-stack applications using the latest AI stacks and architecture design patterns. Programming and Tools: Become proficient in Python, PySpark, JavaScript, C#, Java, and Kotlin, and leverage AI-enhanced programming with tools like GitHub Copilot. AI Ethics and Data Governance: Incorporate foundational AI ethics — including fairness, bias elimination, transparency, and privacy protection — directly into the design of AI capabilities and features. Human-Centered Design: Build accessible and intuitive interfaces for AI-powered applications. Capstone Project: Build an AI Solution Your journey culminates in an industry-inspired Capstone Project. You will go beyond integration; you will build a core AI solution from scratch that automates complex processes, unlocks insights from big data, and solves a genuine business challenge, creating a powerful portfolio piece. What You’ll Be Ready to Do Graduate ready to make an immediate impact in Canada’s fast-growing AI sector. You will have the skills to: Build Core AI from Scratch: Develop and train custom models using fundamental algorithms and diverse datasets to create unique AI capabilities. Architect Scalable and Secure AI Systems: Design and deploy robust, governed AI pipelines and microservices on cloud platforms, implementing access control, data security, and cost-management for real-world production workloads. Implement Ethical AI Foundations: Weave responsibility into the fabric of your work by designing systems with fairness, accountability, and transparency from the ground up. Master the Data Lifecycle: Manage the complete flow of data, the essential fuel for all intelligent systems. Graduate with a rigorous foundation in the core disciplines of modern AI, ready to lead the development of secure, high-performance systems that will define the next generation of technology. To ensure that you choose the appropriate technology to participate in courses delivered in the Information & Communication Engineering Technology programs, please consult the recommended computer specifications for the SIT academic programs here. Please note: This program is available with a co-op option. Qualified students transfer to the co-op version (program #3412) in Semester 3. A fast-track version of this program is available to qualified college or university graduates with a background in software. Fast track applicants gain direct admission into Semester 3 of this three-year program and receive their advanced diploma in four semesters (program #3422). The co-op option is available for fast-track students with four semesters plus two work terms (program #3432). This program may be available in a fully online version (program #3462) with co-op (program #3442).The fast-track programs may also be available in a fully online version (program #3472), and, online co-op (program #3452).