Linkedin

Become a Member >

deploying AI

Deploying AI Microcredential Sees Soaring Interest from Professionals

The Data Sciences Institute’s Deploying AI microcredential is a massive success in its first session. Organizations are seeking employees who can deploy AI responsibly and effectively—and professionals are responding with incredible demand for learning opportunities to build their skills.

Deploying AI is a hands-on opportunity to dive into the power of Large Language Models (LLMs). Learners develop the technical know-how and practical strategies needed to take AI from prototype to production.

Responding to input from learners and employers, DSI launched Deploying AI this fall and the enthusiasm from learners was palpable. The offering quickly sold out, reflecting soaring demand for the tools and confidence to deploy generative AI at scale.

The microcredential builds on the success of the DSI Data Science and Machine Learning Software Foundations Certificates offered with the financial support of Upskill Canada, powered by Palette Skills and the Government of Canada. For learners that have completed a Certificate, this microcredential is a next step in deepening their AI capabilities.

Deploying AI offers a unique value as it is short, targeted learning experience dedicated to the frameworks, tools, and applied skills that professionals need to navigate the ethical, operational and organizational challenges of AI integration.

Deploying AI incorporates case studies from industry. Recently, learners heard from Sepehr Sisakht, an industry leader who is applying AI in practice as CEO of Shyftbase Inc. Learners gained a firsthand look at how AI deployment challenges are approached in a real-world setting. Applied perspectives like this bridge the gap between technical training and practical implementation, as learners gain insight into the workflows, trade-offs, and decisions faced by professionals deploying AI at scale.

“We developed Deploying AI in response to industry demand. Employers need people who can deploy and scale AI solutions in the real-world, now,” says Prof. Rohan Alexander, Director, Technical Skills and Curriculum (Faculty of Information and Department of Statistics, Faculty of Arts & Science).

“We’ve heard from our learners that our microcredential is making a real difference, whether they are preparing for that next great job or are in a role where they can put their learnings into practice right way. The response has been phenomenal.”

That response is echoed in the feedback on Deploying AI from learners. Learners highlighted the immediate usefulness of the microcredential, noting that the microcredential “provided a great primer to the tools and concepts for building AI solutions” and that the theory was useful and the practical knowledge immediately applicable to my work.”

Learners also emphasized the value of hands-on projects, noting that the assignments allowed them to showcase their ability and build credibility as AI professionals.

Registration is open for the February session of the Deploying AI microcredential. Don’t miss your chance to build the skills employers need to deploy AI effectively.

Learn more and register

Helping prepare Canada’s financial services workforce with AI literacy

How U of T’s Data Sciences Institute is helping professionals and employers stay competitive

As digital literacy becomes crucial to navigating the financial sector, the rapid pace of change can feel overwhelming for many mid-career experts and their employers, alike. This is particularly true in areas such as data sciences, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. 

Hiring professionals who are proactively adapting to the rise of data science and generative AI is one of the smartest ways businesses can stay competitive. 

The University of Toronto’s Data Sciences Institute (DSI), a hub for data science research, training and partnerships, is helping businesses do just that by growing a pool of job-ready professionals. The DSI has upskilling certificates and microcredentials targeting the growing demand for professionals in finance and other fields to become knowledgeable in AI and understand how available tools can enhance their work.  

Since launch, over 500 professionals have completed certificates, forming a job-ready talent pool aimed at bridging the gap between skilled candidates and employers. The DSI plays a vital role and is dedicated to creating new career paths for untapped talent to unleash their full potential. 

DSI learners have access to career transition support and exclusive employer networking events.

As a manager of anti-money laundering and compliance data at Scotiabank, Matias Velastegui is one such professional. In search of a way to boost his technical skills, he completed Machine Learning Software Foundations, a 16-week intensive certificate at the DSI.  

With the financial support of Upskill Canada, powered by Palette Skills and the Government of Canada, DSI certificates and microcredentials train mid-level professionals on digital literacy skills, including AI and machine learning, and are designed to meet the talent needs of high-growth sectors. 

“It provided me with valuable tools that I’m confident I’ll apply in future professional and academic projects,” Velastegui says.  

Certificates and microcredentials at the DSI are delivered live online, with weekly support through virtual office hours. Included are opportunities to learn from industry experts during case studies that provide participants with important insights into the professional world of data science and AI analytics.  In parallel to the technical training, learners have access to career transition support and exclusive employer networking events, which strengthens talent pipelines and helps keep Canadian businesses globally competitive. 

While the certificate offers a comprehensive data science and machine learning overview, the DSI also offers a shorter, three-week microcredential on Deploying AI that focuses on building AI applications to augment work tasks. Deploying AI provides professionals with technical and strategic skills to turn AI prototypes into practical, workplace-ready solutions. 

Since its launch, over 500 professionals have completed DSI certificates.

Velastegui says he decided to pursue the DSI certificate because it combined academic rigour with a practical focus. In his current role, he works extensively with SQL and Python languages. Through the DSI certificate, he learned new strategies for approaching complex queries, more efficient ways of handling data and best practices for data governance.  

“From ensuring data integrity to grasping the mathematical principles of neural networks, professionals must be actively engaged in these advancements and prepared to evolve alongside them,” Velastegui says.  

Now, he plans to hire other DSI upskilling participants to his own team. Velastegui is confident in the DSI’s focus on improving coding expertise and collaboration skills in virtual environments.  

The DSI offers employers looking for new talent the opportunity to share job opportunities with its pool of participants, all of whom have post-secondary degrees and now have enhanced skills in data science and machine learning.  

The certificates in Data Science and Machine Learning Software Foundations offer part-time coursework, so participants can continue working regular hours. Sakib Sadat, an intelligent automation program manager at Manulife, says the certificate is intensive but worth the time commitment.  

Sadat says there has been a strong industry push for professionals to boost their skills using AI and machine learning tools, both for company standards and for personal development. Participating in the DSI’s certificate was a way for him to improve his productivity and the quality of his work.  

Through the certificate, Sadat gained the ability to critically assess and identify which AI solutions presented by clients add real value in his current role. 

“This certificate was one way to get the accumulated technical expertise to make those assessments on whether or not AI is going to actually be productive,” Sadat says. 

Beyond the technical skills, Sadat and Velastegui agree that adding a University of Toronto AI-related certification to your resume is a good way to stand out in a pool of professionals, either when looking to move up internally or make a career switch.  

“From a career progression standpoint, AI is a personal brand and selling feature in the industry, whether you’re in IT or not,” Sadat adds.  

For professionals looking to learn more about the DSI’s upskilling offerings and employers accessing the DSI professional talent pool, visit certificates.datasciences.utoronto.ca.  

This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of the Data Sciences Institute. 

Deploying AI: Data Sciences Institute Introduces New Future-Focused Microcredential 

AI is no longer just a buzzword – from family gatherings to office water cooler chat, the power of AI is driving endless discussion and debate.  

The pace of AI advancement is outstripping workforce readiness, creating a critical need for professionals who can translate cutting-edge models into applied, scalable solutions.  Employers are seeking talent who can move beyond experimentation to deploy AI responsibly and effectively.  

In response to this industry demand, the Data Sciences Institute (DSI) is expanding on its data science and AI training, launching a Deploying AI microcredential to empower professionals with the skills to use AI models – especially Large Language Models (LLM) – to close the gap between innovation and implementation. This short, targeted learning experience provides the necessary frameworks, tools, and applied skills to help professionals navigate the ethical, operational and organizational challenges of AI integration. 

“As organizations race to integrate generative AI into their operations, the talent gap is growing just as fast,” said Prof. Rohan Alexander, Certificate Director, Technical Skills and Curriculum (Faculty of Information and Department of Statistics, Faculty of Arts & Science).  

“Employers need professionals that can do more than experiment – they need people who can understand, build, deploy, and scale AI solutions in real-world environments.” 

Building on the success of the DSI Data Science and Machine Learning Software Foundations Certificates, this microcredential is a natural next step for professionals looking to deepen their AI capabilities. Although this microcredential is open to anyone interested, learners who have completed the DSI Certificates can register for the microcredential at a subsidized price with the financial support of Upskill Canada, powered by Palette Skills and the Government of Canada.   

The three-week, Deploying AI microcredential focuses on the technical know-how and practical strategies needed to take AI from prototype to production. Participants will gain in-demand expertise in model evaluation, prompt engineering, and navigating deployment frameworks, equipping learners with practical skills to operationalize AI models in production environments.  

Emphasizing real-world applications and toolsets, learners are empowered to immediately contribute to AI integration initiatives.. Whether aiming to innovate in industry, accelerate research, or modernize government systems, learners gain the confidence to deploy generative AI tools at scale.  

Learners will also hear directly from an industry leader applying AI in practice and University of Toronto faculty will provide cutting-edge insight into the landscape of generative AI research and its applications. 

“Whether you’re in tech, finance, healthcare, or government, the ability to understand and apply LLMs in real-world settings is quickly becoming essential,” said Lisa Strug, Director, Data Sciences Institute and Professor in the Departments of Statistical Sciences and Computer Science (Faculty of Arts & Science) and the Division of Biostatistics (Dalla Lana School of Public Health) at the University of Toronto.  

“As a hub for professional data science and AI training, we’ve created Deploying AI to help busy professionals and employers build hands-on expertise in operationalizing AI models.” 

Deploying AI microcredential launches in October 2025. This microcredential will be the first in a new series of DSI microcredentials, with Analytical Toolbox for Genetics to launch in 2026.

 

Get notified when registrations for Deploying AI open.