FAQ
What is the difference between DAI and CSD degree programmes?
DAI focuses on AI applications and design innovation while CSD is very much like a computer science degree where their AI minor focuses on AI computation.
With technology advancing, how can we (students) be sure that we are learning the latest AI technologies?
DAI’s curriculum was designed and curated by SUTD and several industry partners. We will continue to work closely with industry partners, to keep the curriculum updated to best realise the learning goals of the DAI programme.
What kind of AI technologies/concepts would a DAI student be exposed to?
DAI students will be given the necessary background and experience in applied machine learning technology and concepts. Depending on the electives which you will select in Term 6 onwards, you may pursue other concepts like deep learning, natural language processing and others.
What are some of the software/ tools that will be used in DAI?
Some of the software/tools include (but not limited to):
- Autodesk
- Adobe CS
- Rhino 3D
- Paperspace
- Amazon Machine Learning
- ARcGIS Pro
- MIRO
- Python (Keras, scikit-learn, etc)
- Hadoop
- MapReduce
What kind of programming languages will I learn in DAI?
Some of the programming languages that you will learn in DAI are Python, Ruby, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Would there be a lot of interaction with coding in DAI?
In DAI, the foundations are in AI application and design innovation, we do have courses that involve coding. Depending on the courses that you are taking, some courses may require you to have a good understanding about the mathematical principles besides the coding skills. On top of just coding the AI part from scratch, there are also online tools that you can use especially in the area of generative designs. There are few tools which we can make use of and we are teaching all that in the DAI programme as well. The focus is actually using a lot of methodologies and tools to solve problems and not just mainly on coding.
Are there any subject pre-requisites for DAI? Are students with advanced mathematics proficiency, programming or design knowledge expected to do better in this course?
The pre-requisites will be addressed in the first-year of Freshmore curriculum. DAI courses do touch on mathematics, programming, and design. Hence, proficiency in these areas is an advantage, but not essential as we will cover them in class.
Does the DAI curriculum involve a lot of math/programming?
The foundation of the DAI curriculum is AI application and design innovation. Depending on the courses, you are required to understand mathematical principles to design AI-driven solutions with software and programming tools and techniques. So, both mathematics and programming are part of the DAI curriculum and you should be comfortable in these areas if you use to pursue the DAI programme.
How is design incorporated into the DAI curriculum?
Design is a critical part of SUTD’s curriculum and research. In DAI, students will focus on application of AI-driven design across user interface/user experience, products, systems, and built environments to create human-centric solutions.
Some possible AI-driven design innovation projects which students may be involved in include designing smarter medical systems for accurate early detection of diseases, predicting urban growth patterns to optimize city planning and safer and more intuitive services.
What type of design will be taught for the DAI programme?
Design thinking, design innovation, human-centric design, UI/UX, product, systems, built environment, and data-driven design will be taught in the DAI programme.