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Self-studying Artificial Intelligence Mastering A.I 100% without university majors
Self-studying Artificial Intelligence Hi there, I am so confused. Sometimes I dont know where to start. I would hope that someone online here could shine a bit of light on my life. I am a first year student at Massey University New Zealand studying Physics and Mathematics. My main major is Artificial Intelligence but there is no major for A.I here in New Zealand at any of the universities. One of my problems is that I have difficulty finding ways on how to master A.I in such a way that it wont clash with my subjects and my life in general. The other problem is that I really want to do Artificial Intelligence now and not later. I thought I would broadcast this message online because ive hadn't much luck from my university as they don't know where I could start. They did however say for me to do the Introductory A.I paper offered in third year. I could do this but it would require me to have completed two papers as a prerequisite for that A.I paper this means a year before the Introductory A.I paper. The introductory A.I paper is hopeless. It doesn't even teach Neural Networks. Only one A.I paper is taught in this university and that is it. I am in exams at the moment and things are going ok. Soon I'll have to enroll for my next semester papers and I'm not too sure where or what I should be doing.Maximum of four papers are only required. They can range only from the following: Calculus I (Is Calculus used in Artificial intelligence?) Computer Science Fundamentals Digital Electronics Engineering Fundamentals Physics I(b) I have from time to time thought about doing only three papers per semester which would still be good until I have mastered Artificial Intelligence. But then this would take my four year degree into possibly five years. The four year degree is a mixture of Engineering and Physics. Because my Artificial intelligence means alot to me I am willing to sacrifice some good papers. But to know whether I have made the right choice is a different matter. My family have no knowledge on A.I and there are no companies here in New Zealand which focuses on A.I. I have looked into studying at Edinburgh University with their undergraduate degrees in Artificial Intelligence but I do not have loads of money to study nor survive there. I am trying to find ways to get to USA or UK and pay the cheap rates like what a Citizen would pay. I am a poor student very poor, not from a wealthy family. I am joining up at the gym next semester to lift weights hopefully to attract some sexy women. I haven't had a gf in three years. So this is another one of my tasks next semester. I have also thought of being a stripper or a Deuce Gigalo to pay for my study and surviving but haven't met any male students successful in this area. Anyhow back to A.I I will also be trying for scholarships around USA and UK. Have anyone had many luck with scholarships in terms of A.I degrees or applying with only A.I papers?? Anyhow, this is what I have thought of at the moment: 1. Go to the library and study Artificial Intelligence as a replacement for my fourth paper during next semester. Hard out study trying to master Artificial Intelligence through self study. Has anyone ever done this???? Or am I going overboard??? Self Learning Calculus is hard, who would ever consider self studying Artificial Intelligence??? This would give me no certificate. But I think is a worthy option. 2. I have suggested to the teacher of Artificial Intelligence that I set up a A.I group but have not thought seriously about it. Because I don't study real hard to teach others who get certificates. Can anyone help me please? I would really and truly appreciate any negative or positive or argument response to my message as I am confused at the moment. Possibly my most desirable decision out of the three options would be to sacrifice the fourth paper and only do three papers next semester and self study A.I until I have truly mastered A.I. Thanks for reading this long message. Ben Iti AI Enthusiast. Email: anyomix@in-box.net | Anyomix 2 posts. Tuesday 11 June, 23:37 Reply
AI papers I think MIT (www.mit.edu) will accept graduate students without looking at grades and all that, but your AI papers will have to contain lots of original ideas. Then you could probably get a teaching assistant position or a research position. Most grad students these days get stipends for living expenses. For undergrad, though, I think MIT will require grades and test scores. Rob | rcmay 15 posts. Wednesday 19 June, 11:16 Reply
UseNET Why don't you use the net? You will get all the information you ever wanted to have, right there at the net. Here's what happened to me. I thought AI was vast! but as things becomes clear I found that everything is related - just like Einsteins Relativity ;) The best thing for you, as Alex says, read an introductory book and get an overveiw of the subject. You will get to know the classifications then. Then see what you like best in it - GA, NN, Expert Systems, there are many - and then read abt it. Very soon you will find that each of these topics helps the other get along...inter applicability is too much. As for your studies, if u can afford to fiddle with it, then fine, otherwise please don't!!! After all, you won't be anywhere in AI without them - the Maths atleast, given that I am a Maths student too. I too have been learning on my own, ever since I started, and to be frank even I haven't taken any course in AI yet. I started off with the net, and I am still going on with it, very well. For future studies, be with me. If you, by any chance, happen to find interest in GAs then drop me a mail. I will soon be applying to American Unis for my PhD, so I have collected much info on these AI courses. Do you know you can even have a Masters course in AI????? Rinku | Rinku Dewri 17 posts. Tuesday 06 August, 22:30 Reply
Motivation It IS possible to learn AI alone. It's a matter of getting your foot in the right doors, knowing where to start. It can be a bit overwhelming, but as you read more and more, things click into place. Though I had two very basic courses in AI, I've learnt most of the stuff I know now alone -- like most researchers I expect. Being familiar with the work of others and capable of understanding it is what it's all about really. Basically, the first thing to do is to pick a topic of artificial intelligence -- anything, see one of the many essays and tutorials here, and find out more. A good book may also do the trick. You'll discover new doorways opening, and some semi-decent web-searching skills will reveal more information on them. Also, don't forget to apply your knowledge. Things always make more sense when you do something practical with it! Good luck! | Alex J. Champandard 934 posts. Saturday 22 June, 17:15 Reply
Handling GFs I am writing this separately, coz as far as my experience goes, handling girlfreinds is tough, much more than AI. And they should always be kept away from your main stream of work. So my dear fellow, don't use your AI in this case, use the real God-gifted one!!! Wish you all my best...may God save you. Rinku | Rinku Dewri 17 posts. Tuesday 06 August, 22:37 Reply
Basics There are very few AI options at the level you are at now, but gaining an engineering and physics degree is no bad way to begin, and I agree with Rinku - don't mess around with your studies unless you happen to be particularly bright! If you want to pursue AI as a postgrad you are going to have to convince somebody that you are good enough to do it - i.e. a good degree! On top of this demonstrating that you have the ability to understand AI techniques will stand you in excellent stead. One way to do this is to write articles and post them online, (either here, on your own site, or elsewhere) and do some projects - they don't have to be particularly large, and to begin with they don't need to be wholely original either, at least not until you are confident enough to tackle new areas. Post these projects online aswell. The idea is to show that you are active in your interest and demonstrate your understanding of AI. Luckily, AI is a fascinating enough area to be able to study in your own time. When all this is done you can then apply for an AI-based masters degree or phd somewhere. If you are good you will even get paid!! Hope this motivates you, Linden | Linden Hutchinson 26 posts. Wednesday 07 August, 10:01 Reply
sure you can Sure you can get the grips of AI on your own. I may not be the best example, but I have no experience with computer programming to speak of, and haven't studied it whatsoever. In fact, I just popped in here 5 minutes ago and discover for the first time how AI development is doing in the world. Still, I am writing AI. What I do have is a good insight in the human brain, and all sorts of patterns, and I have an interest in AI. What I do is fiddle around at it, as a hobby, and when there's information I need, I grab a book in the library or check the net. Then I look up what I need, write its concept down, and apply it. I don't think you should put a big emphasis on calculus. sure math is used in AI, but it depends on how far you want to go. But think about this: if you have no life left, how do you expect to get anywhere? I'd advise you to look out for your emmediate future first now, and read the occasional interesting book on AI when you've got some time. Working at everything together will get you nowhere. | arckon 14 posts. Wednesday 28 August, 07:04 Reply