MAI622: AI Entrepreneurship
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MAI622: Course Information
Objectives
This course aims at helping students explore concepts and challenges related to the development of new enterprises based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science innovations, through in-class lectures, case studies, out-of-class seminars, readings, online videos, and a semester team project. The course combines an introduction to concepts and methodologies of innovative, technological entrepreneurship, with hands-on experience in developing a business plan for a new enterprise, developing a prototype, and pitching in an entrepreneurship competition. Topics to be taught include the concepts of innovation and start-ups, business modeling and the Business Model Canvas, and methodologies for starting an innovative business such as, the Lean Startup and Disciplined Entrepreneurship. The course also covers additional topics on team formation, product-market fit, principles of intellectual property management, financing options for startups and pitching to investors. Throughout the semester, students will be exposed to team-work with the goal of building a plan for a new enterprise by applying the 24 steps of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship process to accomplish this. The course will culminate with a pitch competition where students will present their business plans and prototypes to a panel of judges. The course examines issues faced by Start-up Founders and Chief Technology Officers who need to innovate at the boundaries of AI, Ιnformation Τechnology, and Βusiness by understanding all perspectives. The syllabus follows the "blueprint" of MIT's Disciplined Entrepreneurship courses adopting their textbook and re-using their resources available online (worksheets, etc). The course is part of the M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence, developed as part of the Master programmes in Artificial Intelligence 4 Careers in Europe, and is offered within the network of partner universities promoting new careers in AI for students from any EU country.
Instructor: Professor Marios D. Dikaiakos »
Web: http://www.cs.ucy.ac.cy/mdd, Tel.: 22-892720, Office: ΘΕΕ01-012, Office Hours: Friday, 12:00-13:30 or drop by my office or set an appointment.
Teaching Assistant: Theodoros Kyriacou »
Office Hours: By appointment. Email: kyriacou.theodoros@ucy.ac.cy
Prerequisites: none
Lectures: Thursday,15:00-17:59, Room 148, ΘΕΕ01
Guest Seminar/Precept: Wednesday, 16:30-18:00, Β101, ΘΕΕ01 or as announced in C4E News and Events (typically in LRC-UCY Library Building).
Announcements and Communication: Blackboard
Contents
During the course students will review and explore, through lectures, invited talks, discussions, videos, reading and writing assignments, and practice:- Pathways for innovative, AI-driven start-ups.
- The key stages of turning an idea or invention into a commercial product.
- The 24 steps if MIT's Disciplined Entrepreneurship methodology.
- The Lean Product Methodology for creating Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback.
- The Business Model Canvas methodologies in Information Technology and Scientific application contexts.
- Overview of techniques for creative ideation and design of software applications, products and services, such as Design Thinking, Innovators’ Compass, and Sprint.
- Aspects of team formation and management: attracting talent, hiring and firing, team management.
- Collaboration, ideation and rapid prototyping tools.
- Financials and financing options for start-ups.
- Fund-raising, preparation of pitch decks and pitching in front of investors.
- Basics of Intellectual Property.