Gain a solid foundation in artificial intelligence by exploring its core principles, historical evolution, and major subfields, including knowledge representation, machine learning, NLP, and computer vision. The course also equips researchers to critically examine the ethical, societal, and methodological impacts of integrating AI into scientific work.
Introduction of AI for researchers (IAI4R) Part II
Training details
Location
Barcelona, Spain (On-site)
Date
13/01/2026
Time
10 : 00
Target Audiance
Scientist
Teaching language(s)
English
Organizing institution
Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC)
Delivery mode
On-site
Level
Introductory
Format
Lecture
Capacity or seats limit
47
Topics / Keywords
AI, knowledge-based systems, machine learning, autonomous intelligent agents
What You Will Learn
Fundamental Concepts
- Understand the core principles and history of artificial intelligence including its main subfields such as knowledge repreentation, machine learning, natural language processing and computer vision
Ethical and Societal Impact
- Critically assess the ethical, social, and methodological implications of implementing AI in research
Agenda
Part I:
- December 9th – 15:00h – 19:00h
- December 10th – 15:00h – 18:00h
- December 11th – 15:00h – 18:00h
a) Introduction and basic concepts
b) History of AI
c) Agents
Part II:
- January 13th – 10:00h – 18:00h
- January 14th – 15:00h – 18:00h
d) Knowledge representation
e) Machine learning
d) Responsible AI
e) Knowledge Representation and Machine Learning
Instructor name(s)
Ulises Cortés, Full-Professor and BSC Researcher of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Instructor’s biography
Ulises Cortés is a Full-Professor and Researcher of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). He has been at UPC since 1982 (tenured since 1988 and habilitated as a Full-Professor since 2006), working on several areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Computer Science Department, including knowledge acquisition for and concept formation in knowledge-based systems, as well as on machine learning and in autonomous intelligent agents. Since 2025 he is the High-Performance Responsible Artificial Intelligence Research Area Director at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. Since 2017, Professor Cortés has been the founder and scientific manager of the High-Performance Artificial Intelligence group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. He is a founding member of the Ethical Committee of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2019), appointed until 2027.
Course Description
- The course explores main areas of AI, including knowledge-based systems, machine learning, and autonomous intelligent agents.
- Practical sessions emphasize concept formation, data analysis, and the application of AI methods to environmental, social, and engineering problems.
- Strong attention is paid to ethical considerations, responsible AI and societal impact
Certificate/badge details
<p>Statement of Participation</p>