The AI 102: AI Basics course bridges the gap between understanding what AI is and knowing how it truly operates. Building on the concepts introduced in AI 101, this course takes you deeper into the “how” of intelligent systems—how machines analyze information, learn patterns, and make predictions. Designed for non-technical professionals and motivated learners alike, it strips away complexity while giving you genuine insight into how modern AI models function.

You’ll explore the essential components that make AI work: data, algorithms, and pattern recognition. Each module connects abstract concepts to familiar, real-life examples—like how recommendation systems guess your next favorite movie, or how AI detects fraud and improves business decisions. You’ll also learn why data is considered the “fuel” of AI, how models train and adapt, and what separates artificial intelligence from traditional software logic.

The course balances optimism with realism. You’ll look at both the potential and the pitfalls of AI, gaining awareness of its double-edged nature—its ability to accelerate progress and its power to disrupt. Through hands-on exercises and scenario-based learning, you’ll start building your own AI literacy toolkit, learning how to evaluate systems, ask critical questions, and apply AI thinking to your work and personal life.

By the end of AI 102, you’ll not only understand how AI systems think but also how to think with AI. You’ll have the foundational skills and mindset to collaborate intelligently with AI tools, setting you up for success in AI 103: Prompt Engineering and the advanced Cyber-Recon training tracks that follow.