In this Q&A, discover how Hull’s MSc in Artificial Intelligence combines technical training with ethical insight to meet the growing demands of industry.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at a speed few could have predicted. Employers are looking for professionals who can not only build AI models but also apply them responsibly to solve real-world challenges.
In this Q&A, Programme Director Dr Rameez Kureshi explains how the University of Hull’s online MSc in Artificial Intelligence is continually updated to reflect industry needs.
He highlights how the programme combines technical skills, such as Python, machine learning, and deep learning, with essential soft skills, including ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to different audiences.
Rameez: AI is one of the most in-demand skill sets right now. I often speak with students who want to understand not just how AI works, but also how it fits into today’s global job market. The reality is that almost every industry — from healthcare and finance to energy, logistics, and retail — is now using AI in some way.
We design our programme with this in mind. Industry research and live projects inform the content, ensuring that what students learn is directly aligned with the needs of employers. That means when graduates complete the MSc, they’re prepared to meet current industry demands with both confidence and credibility.
Another important aspect is responsibility. It’s not enough to know how to develop and programme AI models — you also need to apply them ethically and responsibly. That’s why the course includes a strong focus on governance, fairness, and transparency alongside the technical skills.
The programme is also built for flexibility. Because it’s 100% online, students can continue working while they study. Many of our students are already in industry and want to apply AI to their own domain, while others use the course to transition into AI-focused roles. In both cases, the MSc provides the upskilling they need without putting their careers on hold.
Rameez: The course is structured to provide students with both a strong technical foundation and the broader skills necessary to apply AI effectively in industry.
On the technical side, students gain a solid grounding in Python, one of the most widely used programming languages in AI. They also get hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and libraries such as TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, and PyTorch.
Through modules on machine learning and deep learning, students learn how models are built, how they function, and how to apply them to real-world data. This combination ensures they don’t just understand AI in theory, but can also design and implement working prototypes to solve practical problems.
Equally important are the soft skills. Students learn how to evaluate AI models critically, reflect on their broader impact, and communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences — a skill that employers highly value.
The programme also develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical awareness. We emphasise fairness, transparency, and bias reduction, so graduates can create AI systems that are not only effective but also responsible and trustworthy.
By combining these technical and soft skills, the MSc equips graduates to step into roles such as data scientist, AI engineer, machine learning specialist, or AI consultant — with the confidence to deliver solutions that align with both business needs and ethical standards.
Rameez: At this point, it’s almost easier to name the sectors not using AI, because its adoption is becoming so widespread.
Organisations everywhere are recognising AI as a powerful tool to boost performance, streamline operations, and open up new opportunities for growth.
Healthcare is a leading example - AI is now used to analyse medical scans with greater speed and accuracy, helping doctors reduce diagnosis times and improve patient outcomes. Beyond imaging, AI is supporting drug discovery, personalised treatment plans, and hospital resource management.
Finance is another sector where AI has made a significant impact. Banks and financial institutions use AI for fraud detection, credit risk assessment, and algorithmic trading. On the customer side, AI-driven chatbots are handling routine queries efficiently, freeing human staff to focus on more complex or sensitive cases.
Retail and e-commerce are also heavily shaped by AI, from personalised product recommendations to demand forecasting and supply chain optimisation. Similarly, logistics companies utilise AI for route planning and predictive maintenance, thereby reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.
Even sectors like energy and social care are embracing AI. In energy, AI is used for predictive maintenance of critical infrastructure, optimisation of renewable energy systems, and reducing carbon footprints. In social care, tools like intelligent assistants and speech-to-text technologies are improving service delivery and reducing administrative burden on carers.
Across industries, AI is not only improving customer service and satisfaction but also driving international growth and competitiveness.
The fundamental transformation comes from combining technical capability with responsible use — ensuring that as AI adoption accelerates, it brings value to both organisations and society.
As Rameez highlights, today’s job market needs AI professionals who can do more than just code. Employers are looking for people who combine technical expertise with ethical awareness, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
The MSc in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Hull is built to develop this complete skill set. From hands-on experience with AI tools and models to understanding governance and responsible practice, the course prepares you to apply AI confidently and responsibly across a wide range of sectors.
To learn more, visit our Online MSc Artificial Intelligence course page: