TIES4800 Developing the Artificial Intelligence of Things (5 cr)

The course consists of three core components that integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical sessions, designed to enable the development of innovative solutions for real-world challenges. Tentative list of topics includes:

1. Internet of Things (IoT): This component covers the foundational principles of IoT systems, such as the use of IoT devices, reading sensor data, managing power, and facilitating data communication.
2. Artificial Intelligence on IoT: This section explains the integration of AI into IoT devices, teaching how to deploy and run AI algorithms on IoT systems.
3. Practical AI and IoT implementations: This component focuses on practical integration of AI into IoT by developing prototypes into fully functional solutions. 

The course is designed for students looking to obtain practical understanding of how to develop solutions that combine Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. The contents cover introductions to their core components and hands-on exercises for developing real-world applications. The course provides the necessary theoretical basis and practical understanding of how to develop solutions integrating AI and IoT. Students will obtain an understanding of the key principles in the design, development and deployment of AI and IoT applications. The learning outcomes of the course are:

• Analyze the concepts and components of applications integrating AI and IoT, identifying their relationships and applications in real-world scenarios.
• Design, construct and evaluate solutions that integrate IoT hardware, software, and AI algorithms to solve real-world problems.
• Integrate AI algorithms into IoT devices and optimize them to be deployed on embedded systems in different contexts.

In the academic year 2025–2026, the course will be conducted through contact teaching in collaboration between four universities, involving students from Finland and Asia. In autumn 2025, the University of Helsinki and the University of Jyväskylä will organize a two-week intensive session in Finland. In early 2026, Chiang Mai University and Singapore Management University will jointly organize a two-week intensive session in Thailand and Singapore. Mobility costs are funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM).

Course completion is based on two components:

1. Participation in teaching: active participation in the different activities organized as part of the course. For the academic year 2025 – 2026, class attendance is mandatory for the entire duration of the course.
2. Final assignment: Each student must complete and submit a final project. The project should demonstrate the student’s ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course.

No alternative completion methods (e.g., exam or independent study) are available for this course.

After the initial implementation, the course format will change, and from then on, it will be offered annually as an online MOOC course.

The course is aimed at Master's degree students, Doctoral students and students at the end of their Bachelor's degree studies.

To participate in this course, students should have completed introductory-level courses on the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) or have the corresponding knowledge. These provide the essential foundation for understanding the core themes of the course. In addition, prior knowledge in areas such as programming, machine learning, mobile sensing, data science, and computer networking is highly recommended.

The course material will be available through the University of Helsinki MOOC Center. It is designed to support both theoretical and practical aspects of the content, enhancing students' understanding through comprehensive readings that cover core concepts and real-world applications, as well as clear instructions to guide the development of practical exercises. In 2025-2026 version of the course, study materials include a dedicated set of hardware, including microcontrollers, peripherals, and other relevant components to be utilized during the hands-on sessions.

All course materials are provided in English.