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'Statistical and Probabilistic Foundations of AI' provides an accessible overview of the mathematics and statistics behind fundamental concepts of data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. It covers descriptive and exploratory data analysis and a brief introduction to inferential statistics. It provides the principles of probability necessary to understand the methods used in inferential statistics and machine learning at an introductory level.
The 'Statistical and Probabilistic Foundations of AI' course provides an accessible overview of the mathematics and statistics behind fundamental concepts of machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence.
It covers descriptive and exploratory data analysis and a brief introduction to inferential statistics. Starting with summary statistics, it focuses on visualising data and the resulting key characteristics. This includes box plots, histograms, kernel density estimates, and regression. In addition, the course provides the principles of probability necessary to understand the methods used in inferential statistics and machine learning at an introductory level. Starting with the basic concepts of probability and elementary stochastic models, the course also covers more advanced topics of probability theory. These include multivariate distributions, generating functions, limit theorems, and a brief introduction to stochastic simulation.
Finally, a brief introduction to inferential statistics is given. Parametric and non-parametric inferential approaches are discussed. Point and interval estimation and hypothesis testing are also covered.
The presentation is rounded off with many examples and data that are analysed and visualised using R.
You will need an introductory knowledge of calculus and linear algebra. You will also need an R installation on your computer (optionally with an integrated development environment (IDE) like Rstudio). Basic knowledge of R is desirable.
After taking this course, you will be able to
Week 1: Elementary Statistics
We will begin by introducing basic statistical vocabulary, which we will then use to provide methods for summarising and displaying data. We will use the process of data binning to provide histograms as well as providing standard key characteristics for location and deviation measures (e.g., means, quantiles, empirical variance).
Week 2: Elementary Statistics
In the second week we will continue with methods suitable for comparing and visualising data. We will introduce box plots and linear transformations as simple tools before exploring possible relationships between variables. Finally, we will look at regression models and related methods, focusing on (multiple) linear regression.
Week 3: Fundamentals of Probability
In the third week we will introduce the basic principles of probability. This includes the notion of sample spaces and the calculation of probabilities. We will also study the notion of conditional probability and the independence of random events.
Week 4: Random Variables
We will introduce the basic idea of random variables and their distribution as a way of modelling random events. We will also consider univariate discrete probability distributions before moving on to univariate probability distributions with Riemann density functions and multivariate distributions.
Week 5: Random Variables
Starting with the concept of multivariate distributions, we will consider their marginal and conditional distributions. We then move on to the concept of expectation of random variables and random vectors (for both discrete and continuous distributions). In particular, we study the properties of expected values as well as those of variance and covariance, respectively.
Week 6: Random Variables
The sixth week marks the end of the probability part, where we look at sums of random variables and ways of gaining insight into their distribution. In particular, we consider both the convolution and the generation function techniques. We finish with limit results for sequences of random variables, covering the strong law of large numbers and the central limit theorem.
Week 7: Inferential Statistics
In the final week we will introduce the core concepts of inferential statistics. Using probability theory, we will be able to construct point estimators and confidence intervals in a parametric statistical model. Some non-parametric examples will also be given. We will conclude the course with a brief introduction to statistical tests and selected statistical tests for Gaussian distributions.
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.