AIMA 430AI Capstone I: Project Design

3 credits · Artificial Intelligence Methods and Applications · Penn State

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the study of computational models of intelligence; design, implementation and application of intelligent systems/agents; exploring the design space of intelligent systems/agents; and ultimately, augmenting and extending human intellect and abilities. AI involves both algorithms and systems, with a focus on endowing computers with human-like intelligence to solve problems. This course is the first of a two-semester capstone for the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence Methods and Applications major. The goal of this course is for students to demonstrate their ability to (1) map a real-world problem that requires an AI solution (e.g., learning, inference, automated or semi-automated decision making, etc.) to an AI formulation of the problem, (2) design and prototype an initial AI solution to the problem using AI problem-solving methods, knowledge representation, machine learning, model-based inference, and automated decision making, based on concepts, techniques, and algorithms learned from at least two AI courses (e.g., A-I 370 , A-I 375 , and DS 310 / CMPSC 448 / CMPSC 445 ). Furthermore, this first AI capstone course introduces students to the basics of project management, including, but not limited to, creating and refining, if needed, the scope, the tasks, and milestones of the project, as well as roles and responsibilities of each team member. Capstone projects are typically group-based, consisting of 2-4 members. Capstone projects can be initiated from various sources: instructor-initiated projects, student-proposed projects, and industry partner-initiated projects. The applications for the projects can range from personalized recommender systems and object recognition in images to stock price prediction, traffic pattern recognition, computerized assistance for medical diagnosis, and pathfinding for robots, among others. The students of this first AI capstone course will also be using a project management tool to facilitate teamwork, to uncover risks early, and to investigate suitable adaptation strategies.