BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the methodology for using a non-human system to learn from experiencing and imitating the behaviour of human intelligence. The BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence validates candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the terminology and general principles of AI. This Foundation level Certificate includes and expands on the knowledge taught in the BCS Essentials Certificate in AI. However, this exam covers:
- The potential benefits and challenges of Ethical and Sustainable Robust Artificial Intelligence
- Basic process of Machine Learning (ML) – Building a Machine Learning Toolkit
- Challenges and risks associated with an AI project, and the future of AI and Humans in work.
Target Audience
The BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence exam is designed for candidates in the following areas:
- Candidates who are Engineers, scientists, organizational change practitioners, service architects, program and planning managers, web developers, chief technical officers, service provider portfolio strategists/leads, business strategists, and consultants.
- This is good for candidates having an interest in artificial intelligence in an organization, especially those working in areas such as science, engineering, knowledge engineering, finance, education or IT services.
Learning Objectives
Candidates applying for the BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence exam will gain a broad understanding of:
- Ethical and sustainable human and artificial intelligence
- Artificial Intelligence and robotics
- Applying the benefits of AI – challenges and risks
- Starting AI: how to build a Machine Learning toolbox – theory and practice
- The management, role, and responsibilities of humans and machines
Exam Details
BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence exam consists of 40 Multiple choice questions. Candidates will be given a maximum of 60 Minutes to complete the exam. However, there are no such prerequisites but accredited training is highly recommended. To pass the exam, candidates must score 26 out of 40. The exam delivery is digital-only and it will cost £192 (£160 +VAT).
BCS Exam Schedule
Candidates can schedule the BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence at the Pearson VUE Testing Center. 
Course Structure
Topic 1: Ethical and Sustainable Human and Artificial Intelligence
1.1. Recalling the general definition of Human and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Describing the concept of intelligent agents.
- Describing a modern approach to Human logical levels of thinking using Robert Dilts Model.
1.2. Explaining what are Ethics and Trustworthy AI, in particular:
- Recalling the general definition of Ethics.
- Computing that a Human Centric Ethical Purpose respects fundamental rights, principles and values.
- Recalling that Ethical Purpose AI is delivered using Trustworthy AI that is technically robust.
- Computing that the Human Centric Ethical Purpose Trustworthy AI is continually assessed and monitored.
1.3. Describing the three fundamental areas of sustainability and the United Nations seventeen sustainability goals.
1.4. Describing how AI is part of ‘Universal Design,’ and ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution’.
1.5. Understanding that ML is a significant contribution to the growth of Artificial Intelligence.
- Describing ‘learning from experience’ and how it relates to Machine Learning (ML) (Tom Mitchell’s explicit definition).
Topic 2: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
2.1. Demonstrate understanding of the AI intelligent agent description, and:
- Listing the four rational agent dependencies.
- Describing agents in terms of performance measure, environment, actuators and sensors.
- Describing four types of agent: reflex, model-based reflex, goal-based and utility-based.
- Identifying the relationship of AI agents with Machine Learning (ML).
2.2. Describing what a robot is and:
- Describing robotic paradigms,
2.3. Explaining what an intelligent robot is and:
- Relating intelligent robotics to intelligent agents.
Topic 3: Applying the benefits of AI – challenges and risks
3.1. Describing how sustainability relates to human-centric ethical AI and how our values will drive our use of AI will change humans, society and organisations.
3.2. Explaining the benefits of Artificial Intelligence by.
- List advantages of machine and human and machine systems.
3.3. Describing the challenges of Artificial Intelligence, and give;
- Generalizing ethical challenges AI raises.
- General examples of the limitations of AI systems compared to human systems.
3.4. Demonstrating understanding of the risks of AI project, and:
- Giving at least one a general example of the risks of AI,
- Describing a typical AI project team in particular,
- Explaining a domain expert,
- Describing what is ‘fit-of-purpose’,
- Describing the difference between waterfall and agile projects.
3.5. Listing opportunities for AI.
3.6. Identifying a typical funding source for AI projects and relate to the NASA Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
Topic 4: Starting AI how to build a Machine Learning Toolbox – Theory and Practice
4.1. Describing how we learn from data – functionality, software and hardware,
- Listing common open source machine learning functionality, software and hardware.
- Describing introductory theory of Machine Learning.
- Describing typical tasks in the preparation of data.
- Explaining typical types of Machine Learning Algorithms.
- Describing the typical methods of visualising data.
4.2. Recalling which typical, narrow AI capability is useful in ML and AI agents’ functionality.
Topic 5: The Management, Roles and Responsibilities of humans and machines
5.1. Demonstrating an understanding that Artificial Intelligence (in particular, Machine Learning) will drive humans and machines to work together.
5.2. Listing the future directions of humans and machines working together.
5.3. Describing a ‘learning from experience’ Agile approach to projects
- Describing the type of team members needed for an Agile project.
For Reference: BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Exam Guide
BCS Exam Policy
BCS the chartered institute for IT offers various exam policies for candidates to help them understand the terms and procedures of the certification exams. Some of the policies include:
Examination Cancellation Policy
Candidates who want to cancel the exam must request within 48 hours from receipt of the cancellation request. If the notice period prior to the exam date is of more than 14 days then there will be a full refund. However, if it is more than 7 days then, there is a 50% exam fee refund. But, for less than 14 days there is no refund.
Exam Rescheduling Policy
Candidates have to reschedule their examination at least 14 days prior to the original examination date and you will only be eligible to sit the next available examination date. However, they cannot reschedule examination more than once and rescheduled examinations cannot be refunded.
Candidate ‘No Show’ Policy
If candidates do not cancel or reschedule their examination sitting then, they will forfeit the examination fee and we will not refund the examination fee or offer a free rescheduled date.
Accommodation
Candidates who require reasonable adjustments due to a disability must refer to the reasonable adjustments policy for detailed information on how and when to apply. However, for candidates whose language is not the exam language, they will get 25% extra time.
For More Visit: BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Exam FAQs
Preparation Guide for BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Exam
BCS Training Providers
BCS offers various training partners that provide courses and training programs for the certification exams. This training will help candidates to prepare for the exam they applied for and to get an accredited training course. However, the training will be of a minimum of 18 hours of study over a minimum of three days.
Exam Objectives
During the exam preparation, it is good to understand and review every exam’s objectives. This will help candidates to easily get through the concepts and topics related to the exam. So, make sure you visit the Official website of BCS, to have a clear view. However, it is the most authentic site to provide any information regarding the BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence.
Reference Books
The BCS Accredited Training Organisations offer candidates BCS books and course materials. These books work as a reference for candidates to understand the exam more accurately. The books are divided into sections that are:
Recommended PRE-COURSE Reading
- Human + Machine – Reimagining Work in the Age of AI by Paul R. Daugherty and H. James Wilson.
Recommended POST-COURSE Reading
- Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI by High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence
- Artificial Intelligence, A Modern Approach (3rd edition) by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig
- Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn and TensorFlow: Concepts, Tools, and Techniques to Build Intelligent Systems by Aurélien Géron
- The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil
- The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab
Additional Reading – Specialist Reference List
- Linear Algebra and Learning from Data (1st edition) by Gilbert Strang
- An Introduction to Linear Algebra (5th edition) by Gilbert Strang
- The Mystery of Consciousness by John R. Searle
- Machine Learning by Tom Mitchell
- Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
- Sustainable Energy – without hot air by Sir David JC Mackay
- Machine Learning – A Probabilistic Perspective by Kevin P. Murphy
- Automated Planning Theory and Practice by Malik Ghallab, Dana Nau and Paolo Traverso
- The Cambridge Handbook of Artificial Intelligence by Keith Frankish and William Ramsey
- Artificial Intelligence: 101 Things You Must Know Today About Our Future Author:
- Lasse Rouhiainen, 2018
- The Mythical Man Month by Frederick P. Brooks, JR., Addison Wesley
- Machine Learning for Absolute Beginners: A Plain English Introduction (2nd edition) by Oliver Theobald
Online Groups
One thing that will be beneficial during the exam preparation time is to join study groups. These groups will help you to stay connected with the other people who are on the same pathway as yours. Moreover, here you can start any discussion about the issue related to the exam or any query. By doing so, you will get the best possible answer to your query.
Practice tests
This can be a very essential part that can help you to prepare better for the exam. That is to say, practice tests are important as by assessing yourself with these tests you will know about your weak and strong areas. So, by practicing you will be able to improve your answering skills that will result in saving a lot of time. Moreover, the best way to start doing practice tests is after completing one full topic as this will work as a revision part for you. So, make sure to find the best practice sources.
