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Artificial Intelligence in Finance: 9 AI Courses to Build Your Skills
In many respects, the financial sector stands at the forefront of the AI revolution. While financial firms have employed more traditional AI technologies like machine learning since the early 2000s, recent years have seen a growing interest in adopting newer generative AI technologies in order to streamline processes and increase overall efficiency. In fact, the financial industry invested an estimated 35 billion US dollars in AI in 2023—and that number is only expected to grow over time.
See also our article on what CFOs are saying about the use of AI in finance.
Ultimately, these trends highlight the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest uses of artificial intelligence in finance. Financial professionals should aim to understand how this technology works, what it does, and how to best incorporate it into their workflows.
To get started, this article offers a list of the top AI in finance courses. We’ve included more traditional semester-long courses as well as shorter offerings designed with busy professionals in mind. You’ll also find more cost-effective options on the list, too, just in case that’s more suitable for you.
#1 Wharton Online’s AI for Business Course
Who? UPenn’s Wharton Online Program
What? A 4-6 week online course (2 hours per week)
When? Open enrollment
Where? Online
Cost? $599 USD
The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business is the home of one of the country’s highest-rated MBA programs. Through Wharton Online, professionals across the globe have the chance to learn and grow alongside some of the field’s leading minds. In particular, the AI for Business course gives participants an opportunity to learn more about common AI technologies and their practical applications across a wide range of professional industries. Led by Professor Kartik Hosanagar of the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative, it aims to help participants successfully implement AI technologies into their own business strategies as well.
Like many online courses, the open enrollment model means that you can get started with the course whenever you want. Plus, it lets you move through the material at your own pace, which is ideal for those with busier and more unpredictable working lifestyles.
#2 Workday’s Finance AI Certificate Program
Who? Workday in collaboration with MIT Sloan Management Review Collections
What? An online video training series
When? Open enrollment
Where? Online
Cost? Free
In collaboration with MIT Sloan Management Review Collections, Workday has released a multi-part online course designed to explore the use of artificial intelligence in finance. In particular, this day-long course dives into best practices, creating effective data strategies, as well as business and regulatory concerns associated with adopting artificial intelligence into your workflow. Video lectures feature industry experts from Stanford, Deloitte, MIT, and more in addressing the role of finance in the AI revolution.
Students will need to register their personal information with Workday in order to access their online course materials. This course is designed to be completed in a day.
#3 MIT’s FinTech: Shaping the Financial World
Who? MIT’s OpenCourseWare
What? 12 lecture recordings from a graduate-level course
When? No enrollment necessary
Where? Online
Cost? Free
MIT’s OpenCourseWare provides free access to lecture recordings and notes from past classes, including this course from Professor Gary Gensler at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Over the course of twelve weeks, students explore the significant trends and technologies influencing the financial sector, including the use of AI and machine learning. Lecture notes and readings are linked through the platform as well.
No enrollment is necessary to access these course materials. Participants are encouraged to move through the material at their own speed.
#4 Berkeley FinTech: Frameworks, Applications, and Strategies
Who? UC Berkeley’s Executive Education Program
What? A 2-month online course (4-6 hours per week)
When? Fixed start date
Where? Online
Cost? $2,600 USD
This course is designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the present-day fintech landscape. Modules delve deeper into emerging trends and technologies in the space, allowing participants to explore the broader applications for machine learning and artificial intelligence alike. Led by faculty members at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, this course combines the more traditional use of self-paced video lectures with live networking opportunities, so participants have the chance to meet classmates, instructors, and other leading industry professionals.
Successful participants will receive a certified digital certificate of completion. Additionally, the course counts towards the completion of a UC Berkeley Certificate of Business Excellence.
#5 UPenn’s AI Applications in Marketing and Finance Course
Who? The University of Pennsylvania
What? A 6-hour Coursera course
When? Fixed start date
Where? Online
Cost? Free
This course is offered as a part of Penn’s AI for Business Specialization, which is also available through the Coursera platform. Those who are more interested in the specific applications of AI in finance may want to start with this six-hour course, which looks at AI as a tool of risk assessment and fraud mitigation. Additionally, it explores the benefits and drawbacks in using AI for these means.
Coursera allows students to enroll in this course for free. It’s designed for completion over the course of three weeks, though students can move through the work at their own pace. At the end, they’ll receive a shareable certificate to add to their LinkedIn profile.
#6 LinkedIn Learning’s Leveraging Generative AI in Finance and Accounting Course
Who? LinkedIn Learning
What? An hour-long financial accounting course
When? Open enrollment
Where? Online
Cost? Available with LinkedIn Learning subscription (One month free trial available)
Finance consultant Glenn Hopper leads this day-long online course designed to introduce students to the use of generative AI within the fields of finance and accounting. Specifically, students will explore the use of generative models in financial forecasting and analyzing financial reports, using specific examples and case studies to flesh out their understanding. Additional modules touch on issues of regulatory compliance and other ethical considerations associated with the use of AI in finance.
Participants will receive a shareable online certificate once they finish the course. It’s designed to be added to the participant’s LinkedIn profile.
#7 UMichigan’s Innovations in Investment Technology: Artificial Intelligence
Who? The University of Michigan
What? A 10-hour Coursera course
When? Fixed start date
Where? Online
Cost? Free
Professor Andrew Wu’s course focuses on the role of AI in investing and online wealth management. In particular, it teaches students the business model behind “robo” or AI advisors, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of employing these advisors in their investment strategies. As a result, students gain a greater understanding of the role of AI and machine learning in investment and other trading decisions.
While the course is designed to be completed in three weeks, Coursera’s flexible scheduling allows students to work through the material at their own pace. Upon completion, participants receive a shareable certificate which they can add to their LinkedIn profile.
#8 Udemy’s AI For Finance Course
Who? Udemy (Packt Publishing)
What? A 2.5-hour online course
When? Open enrollment
Where? Online
Cost? $49.99 USD
Students will receive first-hand financial forecasting experience with Python, Keras, Scikit-Learn, and pandas through this day-long online course. More specifically, they’ll employ machine learning technologies to detect fraud, predict currency exchange rates and loan approvals, and forecast future stock prices, all using real-world data. As a result, it’s a great choice for aspiring data scientists who are looking to employ machine learning in their day-to-day work.
This course employs a variety of data preparation methods and techniques, and all participants are expected to start with at least a basic understanding of Python. Those who finish the course will receive a certificate of completion.
#9 CFTE’s AI in Finance Specialization
Who? Centre for Finance, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (CFTE)
What? A six-week online course
When? Open enrollment
Where? Online
Cost? £600
The AI in Finance Specialization course is geared specifically towards finance professionals looking to increase their knowledge in the world of AI. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of how AI technologies work, and how they can be employed within the workplace. Case studies and other hands-on projects give students a practical sense of how AI technologies can be used in finance.
This course is designed to be completed over the course of six weeks with fifteen minutes of study each day. Students receive a certification upon completion of the course.
Looking for more resources on AI in finance?
This article gives a brief overview of the top AI in finance courses on the market in 2024. That said, there are lots of other offerings that may be useful to financial professionals as well. Local universities, colleges, and community colleges are a great place to start, as well as other professional contacts and associations. Depending on your area, you might even find some options through your local community center.
And if you’re looking to automate financial management in the workplace, consider taking a look at Xledger’s cloud-based accounting software. This tool is designed to provide real-time insight into your company’s finances for better and more efficient decision-making. Contact us to learn more today!
Additional reading:
How SMBs Are Turning to Finance Process Automation
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