AI @ WMU

3 credit hours, in person
MW 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., CRN 15782
Dr. Brian Gogan

 AI Prompting for Real-World Applications

Generative AI platforms are changing how humans write and what humans write. These AI platforms assist us as we draft documents, graphics, and code. We need to know how best to construct inputs, called “prompts,” so that we can get good outputs from these Generative AI tools. Regardless of your major, this class helps you apply prompting strategies to real-world contexts that matter to you, your passions, and your career. Think of this class like a maker’s lab: Your assignments will be exploratory and experimental.

3 credit hours, in person and online
TR 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., CRN 15417, in person (Sec 1)
Asynchronous online, CRN 15416 (Sec 2)
Professor David Paul (Sec 1), Professor Jonathan Milgrim (Sec 2)

Advances in artificial intelligence represent some of the most transformative technological innovations of our time. In this course, students will explore the evolution of AI and its expanding capabilities in areas like language processing, computer vision, robotics, and more. The course provides an accessible introduction to core AI concepts while focusing on real-world implications and ethical considerations. Students will examine existing and emerging uses of AI in fields like business, politics, medicine, education, and the arts. Case studies will illustrate how AI can be used for benefit or harm, highlighting concerns around bias, automation, disinformation and other risks. This course will equip students to critically analyze and engage in informed debates about managing one of the most consequential technologies of our era.

3 credit hours, online
Asynchronous online, CRN 14496
Dr. Autumn Edwards

A foundational course that not only introduces students to the core principles and practices of User Experience (UX), but also highlights the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping modern user experiences across diverse domains. This course invites students to explore the dynamic and evolving landscape of user experiences, from the virtual realms of gaming and immersive realities to the ever-connected world of social media and the exciting frontiers of human-robot interaction and human-machine communication, all while considering the impact of AI. This course empowers students to explore the science of user experience, embracing a human-centered and ethical approach to design and evaluation. Additionally, students will explore how our technologies, tools, and products both shape and are shaped by human behavior and needs, creating a dynamic and symbiotic relationship that is fundamental to contemporary UX design and development.

3 credit hours, in person
TR 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., CRN 13481
Dr. Autumn Edwards

An introduction to human-machine communication, this course focuses on the theory and practice of interpersonal interactions with digital interlocutors in the form of artificial conversation entities, artificially intelligent (AI) software agents (chatbots), embodied machine communicators (robots), and technologically augmented persons, as well as interpersonal communication in the context of virtual and augmented spaces. Through experiential learning opportunities and assignments, students are encouraged to (1) increase their awareness of the personal, relational, and social implications of communication between humans and machines, in historical, present-day, and anticipatory contexts, and (2) further develop competencies in communicating with and about machine partners.

3 credit hours, in person
MW 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., CRN 14365
Dr. Chad Edwards

This course focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and interaction in society from a theoretical and application standpoint. Students will learn critical AI questions, issues, and debates that influence the development and deployment of AI. The basics of building an AI interaction system and the best practices will be discussed.

3 credit hours, hybrid
M 6 to 8:30 p.m., in person (1/8, 1/15, 4/15) and online, CRN 15537
Dr. Chad Edwards

In the era of rapid technological advancements, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on social media communication has become more pronounced than ever. This graduate-level course, "AI and Social Media Communication," explores the intersection of AI technologies and their impact on how individuals, businesses, and society engage, connect, and communicate digitally. Students will delve into the theoretical foundations and practical applications of AI in the context of social media platforms, gaining a comprehensive understanding.

3 hours, in person
Section 1: MW 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., CRN 12068
Section 2: TR 2 to 3:15 p.m., CRN 12462
Dr. Muhammad Razi

This course is designed to give students with foundational analytics experience comprehensive skills and in-depth knowledge in analytical problem solving through business examples with particular focus on visualizing analyses. Students will learn visual representation techniques to transform data into insights. Tools, techniques, and theories within the realm of business intelligence and data visualization will be explored, utilizing both productivity and specialized software.

3 credit hours, in person
Section 1: MW 5 to 6:15 p.m., CRN 12463
Section 2: MW 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., CRN 11975
Dr. KC Chen

This course focuses on the theoretical understanding and practical applications of data mining as a decision support tool. Specifically, it covers several types of modeling techniques and tools such as prediction, classification, segmentation and association detection algorithms. Students are introduced to the state-of-the-art data mining applications software such as SAS Enterprise Miner or SPSS Clementine for their class assignments and term project.

3 credit hours, in person
R 6:30 to 9 p.m., CRN 15630
Dr. KC Chen

This course is designed to introduce students to various forms of AI used to address business problems. Natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, generative AI, fraud detection, topic modeling, predictive maintenance, human-AI symbiosis, formal AI tests, user generated contents (e.g., product reviews) / electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), societal impacts and many other topics will be covered. Students will also learn to analyze structured/unstructured data, big data, and specific forms of data (small and wide data). There will be readings, theoretical introductions, and hands-on exercises using existing software packages.

3 credit hours, online (partially synchronous)
F 6 to 9 p.m., CRN 14549
Dr. Reza Mousavi

This course introduces data visualization, exploratory data analysis, and visualization theories. Students will learn visualization techniques to analyze real-time and/or off-line data, create high-impact visualizations, and build interactive dashboards to uncover critical business insights. Students will also learn to design data stories with effective visuals to communicate analytics findings to the intended audiences.

Online/Hybrid
Tuesdays at 7 p.m., CRN 15357
Sunny Yurasek (guest lecturer)

ReGenerative AI for Marketing

This course explores the transformative landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the realm of marketing, specifically in the Food and Beverage industry. Students will delve into the core concepts of AI, including Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Generative AI, and the groundbreaking field of Regenerative AI. Guest lecturer and data scientist, Sunny Yurasek, will guide students through a comprehensive exploration of common AI modeling techniques specific to the Food and Beverage industry, demonstrating how these technologies can accelerate and differentiate organizations within this sector. The course will also cover essential AI data fundamentals, exposing students to the tools to master assortment modeling in the context of marketing. Students will examine the positive and negative impacts of AI on marketing strategies and will discuss the topics of ethical AI and customer privacy in order to develop a well-rounded perspective on the responsible application of these technologies in marketing.