Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Fundamentals – This course introduces students to the principles, tools, and practices of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Students will explore the foundations of AI, the role of big data, and the potential impact of AI on future technologies. They will gain practical experience by setting up Python environments, coding in Python, and using Google Colab for cloud-based development. The course covers the mathematics essential to understanding ML, including gradient descent and model validation. Students will analyze real-world examples that illustrate both the opportunities and challenges of AI. By the end of the semester, they will be prepared to build and evaluate simple machine learning models and preprocess data for further analysis.