Master

The path to becoming a Future Functional Specialists in AI

By engaging yourself in this all-round Master’s program that includes not only thorough theoretical learning but also active hands-on group projects, you will become a functional specialist who is capable of analyzing, designing, implementing and managing AI-related assignments in public services.

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Why choose us

Take advantage of the most distinguished Master program in AI for Public Services. A path where you will acquire not only specialized skills but also practical tools and a network of valuable relationships.




Testimonials

This Master will take our students through a great journey to discover strengths and weaknesses of using AI for public services.
Marzia Mortati, Vice-Director Of AI4Gov


Objectives

Understand the potential of data

Know and understand the potential of data to create public services, and be able to critically assess social and ethical impacts:

  • Understand datasets (quality, appropriateness, value, cost, etc.)
  • Learn how to operate with data and to manipulate data to extract insights for design

Understand what AI can do

Understand what AI can currently do, what the different applicative domains are with a specific focus on governance with AI, and what features it can have:

  • Understand the state-of-the-art of AI and the available market solutions with a level deep enough to commission implementation.

Propose practical AI projects

Analyse, design, plan, implement and evaluate human-centric AI projects for an up-to-date range of public services:

  • Develop strategic management abilities for AI-based projects
  • Learn how to apply a human-centric approach to the design of AI-based services

Be able to commission/buy AI based systems

Be able to commission/buy AI-based systems to companies and experts, and evaluate and analyze their performance and quality:

  • Learn how to manage innovative procurement and public-private partnership in public services design and delivery.
  • Learn how to evaluate the quality of the commissioned implementations.

Make informed judgements on AI

Get the ability to think critically and analyze different use cases for AI delivery through public services in society:

  • Ability to create public value through innovative design and implement AI-based projects

Acquire project group work and communication skills

Understand the potential of acquiring project groupwork and communication skills.

  • Develop the ability to present and discuss ideas and an attitude to negotiate in teamwork.

Curriculum

Master in Artificial Intelligence for Public Services

  • Title: International Master in AI for public service
  • Level: Master of 1st level
  • Teaching language: English
  • Duration: 10 months – September, June
  • Place of Delivery: mainly online
  • Number of places offered annually for students: 40
    Number of CFU of the Master: 60 (1 ECTS credit is equivalent to 25 hours of student dedication)
  • Website: https://ai4gov-hub.eu/
  • Universities delivering the Master: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Politecnico di Milano

Please note that the modules presented are provisional and maybe slightly altered for course edition 2024-2025

Please note that the modules presented are provisional and maybe slightly altered for course edition 2024-2025

To earn a Master in Artificial Intelligence for Public Services, you must successfully complete 4 courses, 4 project-based group activities and a Master thesis (60 ECTS total), including:

1 core introductory course (3 ECTS total):

AI in Public Administration (2 weeks)

3 foundation courses (15 ECTS total):

Basic Concepts and Techniques in AI (7 ECTS, 4 weeks).

Service Design for Human-Centric AI (5 ECTS, 4 weeks).

AI and Ethics (3 ECTS, 2 weeks).

4 predefined group-based hands-on projects (from 7 to 12 ECTS each).

A large part of the programme is based on the idea of having you as students working in multidisciplinary-multicultural groups towards the design of public services that use different types of AI techniques. We have selected 4 predefined topics and AI and service-design focus areas for each of them, so that students will get a comprehensive insight of types of problems that can be addressed with AI solutions and types of approaches that may be taken to design services for them. These group-based projects will be structured around 4-6 weeks of work, where each group will have a mentor assigned, who will drive the group towards the achievement of the solutions, The following work will be done each week, with checkpoints on every common session:

Timeline:

Phase 1 

(Week 1)

Setting the objectives, understanding/framing the problem, understanding user/ context /technology (i.e., data available, barriers, limits, feasibility of applying AI, user needs, organisation needs, …)
Phase 2 

(Weeks 2-3)

Extract insights from the research, reframe the problem, define design opportunities; go in depth into some of the AI techniques that can be used; idea generation
Phase 3 

(Weeks 3-4-5)

Initial idea iteration/prototyping, basic design of the solution, ethics consideration.
Phase 4

(Weeks 4-5-6)

Refinement, basic implementation, implications in procurement of solutions, final presentations.

AI for public procurement (7 ECTS, 3 weeks).

AI-based service design for sustainability (7 ECTS, 4 weeks).

AI for active listening and citizen participation (12 ECTS, 8 weeks).

AI for improved data and knowledge governance (3 weeks).

 

1 final individual or group-based hands-on project, which will lead into your Master thesis (9 ECTS, 3.5 weeks)

This last project will allow students to propose and work, individually or in groups, on a use case that they would be interested in, based on their real experiences and needs. The final delivery will be the Master thesis. There will also be a final event where we will hold the graduation ceremony.

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Applications for the Master will follow these steps:

We take a holistic approach, valuing not just your academic and professional achievements but also your diverse interests outside the norm. Your unique blend of skills and experiences is what we cherish most. We can’t wait to see how you’ll shape the future of AI for public services with us!

Instructions and Application Process

Applications for AI4Gov2024 will be accepted until May 31, 2024, or until vacancies are filled.

Candidates have to follow a four-step process:

1.Pre-registration Questionnaire:

      • Interested candidates must complete the online application form, providing necessary details and uploading the required documents.
      • Mandatory Documents:
        • CV (PDF format, maximum size: 1 GB).
        • Motivation Letter (PDF format, maximum size: 1 GB).
        • [Optional Document] Recommendation Letter (PDF format, maximum size: 1GB).

2.Application Review:

      • The academic commission of the Master will review received applications periodically.
      • Applicants will receive notification about their application status—accepted, discarded, or placed on the reserve list.
      • A Zoom interview may be requested as part of the selection process.

3.Academic Committee Evaluation:

      • After the assessment by the Academic Committee, candidates will receive an email with the deliberation result.
      • Upon a positive outcome, admitted candidates must pay a non-refundable reservation fee (1000 euros) within 10 days of receiving the admission letter via email.
      • Admitted candidates will be directed to register via the official registration system set up by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The registration link will be provided alongside the acceptance letter.

4.Document Submission for Official Registration:

    • Admitted candidates must complete the registration process through the UPM official system.
    • Required Documents for Registration:
      • [01] For Candidates with a Foreign Degree (Non-EU Country):
        – Photocopy of university degree with the apostille of the Hague accords (original stamps required).
        – Photocopy of academic transcripts with the apostille of the Hague accords (original stamps required).
        – Official Translation of degrees, certificates, and transcripts into English or Spanish.
      • [02] For Candidates with a Foreign Degree (EU Country):
        – Photocopy of university degree.
        – Official Translation of degrees, certificates, and transcripts into English or Spanish.
      • [03] For Candidates with a Degree from Spain:
        – Photocopy of university degree.
        – Photocopy of academic transcripts.


FAQ

What is the expected duration of the course?

The next edition of the Master will run from mid of September 2024 to the end of June 2025. More details can be found in the Apply section.

How many credits (ECTS) does the Master correspond to

The Master corresponds to a total amount of 60 ECTS, distributed across all the courses.

What are the fees for the following courses?

For the 2024-2025 edition, tuition fees were fixed 12.000 €. A small additional charge of less than 200 euros was required for the administrative costs of diploma generation upon completion. We will offer grants to approximately 15 students, with special attention to those working in the public sector, so that part of their tuition fees are covered.

Is there any discount for early-bird registrations?

If you register before our early-bird registration deadline (February 29th, 2024) and you are accepted into the Master by the academic commission, you will be entitled to a 20% discount in the total fee. In order to secure your position, you will be required to provide an advance non-reimbursable payment of 1000 euros within 10 days after the reception of the Admission Letter from the AI4Gov Admission Team.

Are there any other costs associated to participating in the course?

We will ask students to participate in two physical events in Europe (one in Madrid and one in Milan), of a weekend each. They will be scheduled at the beginning of the course, half way and at the end. Participants will be expected to pay for your travel costs. Accommodation and food costs will be covered by the master.

Will I get an official title from any of the universities involved in the Master?

Upon the successful completion of all the activities in the Master you will receive a joint certificate from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Politecnico di Milano.

What is exactly the title awarded to who finishes the master?

The International Master on AI for Public Service is categorized as a First-Level Master within the Italian higher education system or as Titulos Propios in the Spanish higher education system. However, it’s important to note that UPM’s Titulos Propios do not provide automatic eligibility for entry into a Ph.D. program.

How many students do you foresee for the next edition of the Master?

Up to 40 students will be selected.

Will there be any exam?

The educational methodology of the Master is centered around project-based learning. Therefore, there will be some tests during the first modules and continuous checkpoints by mentors during the courses, including oral presentations, and especially during the activities associated with the different projects.

Can I participate in the Master part-time?

We assume that most of the students will be working while they take part in the Master, and hence most interactive activities will be done on Tuesday and Friday evenings. That said, we expect students to be able to finish the Master during this academic course, so for this first edition we will only accept those students that are confident in finishing during this academic course. In future editions we may consider part-time options.

When should I register and which documentation will you ask for?

Applications for AI4Gov2024 welcomed till 31.05.2024 or until vacancies are filled. Candidates have to follow a four-step process1.Pre-registration Questionnaire:

      • Interested candidates must complete the online application form, providing necessary details and uploading the required documents.
      • Mandatory Documents:
        • CV (PDF format, maximum size: 1 GB).
        • Motivation Letter (PDF format, maximum size: 1 GB).
        • [Optional Document] Recommendation Letter (PDF format, maximum size: 1GB).

2.Application Review:

      • The academic commission of the Master will review received applications periodically.
      • Applicants will receive notification about their application status—accepted, discarded, or placed on the reserve list.
      • A Zoom interview may be requested as part of the selection process.

3.Academic Committee Evaluation:

      • After the assessment by the Academic Committee, candidates will receive an email with the deliberation result.
      • Upon a positive outcome, admitted candidates must pay a non-refundable reservation fee (1000 euros) within 10 days of receiving the admission letter via email.
      • Admitted candidates will be directed to register via the official registration system set up by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The registration link will be provided alongside the acceptance letter.

4.Document Submission for Official Registration:

    • Admitted candidates must complete the registration process through the UPM official system.
    • <Required Documents for Registration:
      • [01] For Candidates with a Foreign Degree (Non-EU Country):
        – Photocopy of university degree with the apostille of the Hague accords (original stamps required).
        – Photocopy of academic transcripts with the apostille of the Hague accords (original stamps required).
        – Official Translation of degrees, certificates, and transcripts into English or Spanish.
      • [02] For Candidates with a Foreign Degree (EU Country):
        – Photocopy of university degree.
        – Official Translation of degrees, certificates, and transcripts into English or Spanish.
      • [03] For Candidates with a Degree from Spain:
        – Photocopy of university degree.
        – Photocopy of academic transcripts.

Program Format

The language used for this Master program will be English, and will be delivered in an online format. AI4Gov keeps the right to make changes in this program.

Program Rules

  • You are required to attend at least 70% of the online sessions for each Module and Project  Work. At the beginning of each module and project work, the number of classes to reach the minimum attendance will be communicated to you.
  • You are required to attend at least ONE of the two in-presence events.
  • You are required to participate in at least 50% of the AI4Gov Dialogues
  • Justifications for not being able to fulfil the minimum attendance score will be taken in consideration case-by-case and can be settled with additional work that will be agreed upon.
  • Policy for course withdrawal : If a participant decides to quit the course by his/her own will, he/she will not receive will not receive any reimbursement of the fee, as the University policy indicates

Accreditation

Successful students will get a joint diploma from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Politecnico di Milano.

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