Artificial Intelligence in the 4IR introduces you to artificial intelligence (AI), its applications, and its implications for society and the future of work in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The disruptive effect of AI and automation on the world of work is set to intensify in the coming years. This course encourages you to reflect on your role in a world being transformed by AI-driven technologies.
The course consists of 8 units and is delivered fully online. There are no lectures or tutorials to attend. Students read course texts, watch short videos, and complete Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) at the end of each section. A minimum of 50% is required to proceed between activities, and an overall mark of 50% is required to pass. Upon successful completion, a digital certificate is issued.
AI online Course Entry Requirements
You must be 18 years of age or older. You must have access to an internet-enabled device. You must be able to communicate clearly in English. No prior knowledge of the subject is required.
Cost: Free
Curriculum
The programme consists of 8 units:
Unit 1 – Industrial Revolutions and Automation Covers selected critical developments in automation and their implications for manufacturing and the organisation of work.
Unit 2 – History and Evolution of AI Students will be able to define AI, identify critical milestones in its development, understand AI winters, and recognise the enablers that revived AI research.
Unit 3 – Basics of AI Covers intelligence, artificial machine intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning. Students will distinguish between AI, machine learning, and deep learning, and identify different types of machine learning algorithms.
Unit 4 – AI and Humanity Examines how AI is positively impacting areas of life including manufacturing, business, supply chains, health, education, and security.
Unit 5 – AI in China and Africa Explores how China is using AI to transform its economy and society. Covers the role of government, corporates, and start-ups. Students will identify AI advances in China and Africa and examine case studies of key AI start-ups.
Unit 6 – AI in Africa Examines how AI will transform industries across Africa in the coming years, including the applications of AI in business and society, global corporate actors in AI research, and AI’s potential in solving human problems.
Unit 7 – Ethics and Social Implications of AI Covers the social, ethical, and economic implications of AI adoption, including the impact on jobs and the future of the workplace.
Unit 8 – The Future of AI and Technological Singularity Explores the concept of technological singularity — the point at which artificial intelligence may surpass human intelligence. Discusses artificial superintelligence (ASI), concerns around human control of AI, and what this means for the future of society.
Instructors
This course was developed by the Division of Academic Development and Support (ADS) at the University of Johannesburg, as part of UJ’s 4IR initiative. The programme is supported by course facilitators who are accessible through the UJ Moodle learning platform.
Important Dates
- Enrollment Opens: Tuesday, 20 Jan 2026
- Enrollment Closes: Sunday, 01 Nov 2026
- Course Starts: Tuesday, 20 Jan 2026
- Course Ends: Sunday, 06 Dec 2026
How to Apply
Enrolment is open to the public. To register:
- Visit the course page at: https://ujdigital.uj.ac.za/Course/Details/621
- Create an account on the UJDigital portal if you do not already have one.
- Click “Enrol” to register for the course.
- Once enrolled, you will be automatically added to the UJ Moodle platform (https://lms.uj.ac.za/) where all course materials and assessments are accessible.
For enquiries, contact the course support team at: ai2support@uj.ac.za or ai4ir@uj.ac.za
