Artificial intelligence is transforming industries around the world -- and health care is no exception. A recent Mayo Clinic study found that AI-enhanced electrocardiograms (ECGs) have the potential to save lives by speeding diagnosis and treatment in patients with heart failure who are seen in the emergency room. The lead author of the study is Demilade "Demi" Adedinsewo, a noninvasive cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic who is actively integrating the latest AI advancements into cardiac care and drawing largely on her learning experience with MIT Professional Education. A dedicated practitioner, Adedinsewo is a Mayo Clinic Florida Women's Health Scholar and director of research for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship program. Her clinical research interests include cardiovascular disease prevention, women's heart health, cardiovascular health disparities, and the use of digital tools in cardiovascular disease management.

When General Richard D. Clarke, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), visited MIT in fall 2019, he had artificial intelligence on the mind. As the commander of a military organization tasked with advancing U.S. policy objectives as well as predicting and mitigating future security threats, he knew that the acceleration and proliferation of artificial intelligence technologies worldwide would change the landscape on which USSOCOM would have to act. Clarke met with Anantha P. Chandrakasan, dean of the School of Engineering and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and after touring multiple labs both agreed that MIT -- as a hub for AI innovation -- would be an ideal institution to help USSOCOM rise to the challenge. Thus, a new collaboration between the MIT School of Engineering, MIT Professional Education, and USSOCOM was born: a six-week AI and machine learning crash course designed for special operations personnel. "There has been tremendous growth in the fields of computing and artificial intelligence over the past few years," says Chandrakasan.

In August, the young artificial intelligence process automation company Intelenz, Inc. announced its first U.S. patent, an AI-enabled software-as-a-service application for automating repetitive activities, improving process execution, and reducing operating costs. For company co-founder Renzo Zagni, the patent is a powerful testament to the value of his MIT educational experience. Over the course of his two-decade career at Oracle, Zagni worked his way from database administrator to vice president of Enterprise Applications-IT. After spending seven years in his final role, he was ready to take on a new challenge by starting his own company. Zagni launched Intelenz in 2017 with a goal of keeping his company on the cutting edge.

Accenture Joins Forces with MIT Professional Education to Reinvent Their Quality Engineering Workforce Quality engineers are being trained to be catalysts for speed, agility and improved business performance NEW YORK; Jan. 29, 2019 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) is collaborating with MIT Professional Education to launch a new training program aimed at training the company's quality engineers pivot from being software testers to catalysts for speed, agility and business performance. The program, 'Reinventing Quality Engineers in the New,' will train Accenture employees on real-time, insight-driven quality engineering approaches, augmented by artificial intelligence, analytics and autonomous frameworks--a vision outlined in a recent Accenture whitepaper. The jointly developed program provides Accenture engineers with opportunities to grow their skill set in ways that enhance both their own careers and Accenture's work with clients. Employees will learn how to effectively apply analytics and intelligent, model-based automation to software testing and engineering services, as well as advanced risk-based testing approaches that optimize cost and quality levels. The program consists of live virtual classroom sessions that include engagement with MIT professors, as well as self-study materials and opportunities to collaborate outside of the classroom through interactive online forums.

Academic programs are one way for professionals to stay current with today's most in-demand skills. With the skills shortage increasing and competition for talent raging through industry and among start-ups, training has become a priority. Many aspiring data professionals are sharpening their skills through online courses or attending industry conferences. However, sometimes you just want to go back to school, at least for a visit. Try the University of Washington or the University of California, Irvine.