Deep learning is one of today’s hottest trends in the technology industry, but it is a complicated subject for anyone who is not a data scientist or an engineer. Coursera Inc. co-founder Andrew Ng, who is one of the leading pioneers in the ongoing artificial intelligence revolution, wants to make it easier for more people to learn about AI and deep learning, so today he launched a series of new online classes to make deep learning more accessible.

In addition to his role as co-founder of Coursera, Ng (pictured, left) is a professor of computer science at Stanford University, and he previous served as chief scientist for Chinese web giant Baidu Inc. Ng believes that AI is going to fundamentally change our society and the way we do business, which is why he wants to make it easier for more people to understand how AI works.

“Just as electricity transformed every major industry starting about 100 years ago, AI is now poised to do the same,” Ng said. “Several large tech companies have already built divisions dedicated to AI, and have made huge strides transforming themselves with AI. But in the next few years, companies of all sizes and across all industries will realize that they too can – and must – be part of this AI-powered future.”

There are five new deep learning courses available on Coursera, and the site lists the series as a beginner specializes with no prior experience required. However, Ng said that basic knowledge of machine learning would be helpful. Coursera’s deep learning specialization courses briefly cover a wide range of AI topics, including convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, computer vision and natural language processing. Ng said that the courses also include interviews with “some of the top leaders in the field.”

Ng noted that 1.8 million people have enrolled in his machine learning class, the first one on Coursera, since 2011. “Since then, I have been inspired by many of you who have worked hard to understand machine learning, developed amazing careers, and built wonderful AI systems,” he said in a statement. “I hope that the Deep Learning Specialization will help you build even more amazing things, let you help even more people, and go even further in your career.”

The deep learning courses are part of a project launched by Ng called deeplearning.ai, which he calls “a project dedicated to disseminating AI knowledge.”

Photo: Coursera (from left to right: Andrew Ng, Kian Katanforoosh, Younes Mourri)