Understand what AI can do for your business—without needing to code.
Turn your product idea or innovation project into a clear, actionable roadmap with the confidence to talk AI with developers, investors, and teams.
Learn AI for product strategy, communication, and innovation—no coding required. Fully online, part-time over 9 weeks. Includes live weekly sessions and flexible self-paced work.
Why take this AI course for non-technical founders & innovation teams?
Whether you're:
- A startup founder with a digital product idea but no technical background
- A product manager or someone driving AI projects inside your company
- A creative professional exploring how AI transforms digital media
This short, online course gives you:
- Practical AI literacy for real business impact
- Strategic frameworks to evaluate where AI fits (and where it doesn’t)
- Language and confidence to lead conversations with technical teams and stakeholders
- A solid foundation to avoid costly missteps before you build
No jargon. No coding. Just clear, business-focused insight from industry experts.
Course Details
Dates: September 22 - November 24 (see syllabus for details)
Duration: 9-weeks
Course Format: Each week will include a combination of asynchronous work (reviewing instructor-led videos, pre-recorded interviews with industry professionals, assigned readings, and completing assignments) and a one-hour group video call with the instructor. Coursework should not exceed more than 5 hours/week.
Cost: $900
What you'll learn (real-world outcomes):
By the end of Demystifying AI, you'll be able to:
- Explain AI fundamentals to non-technical and technical audiences
- Shape a clear AI product roadmap for your startup or internal project
- Build a credible business case for AI initiatives
- Identify ethical and strategic considerations in digital media & product design
Who should take this course?
- Startup founders & entrepreneurs without technical backgrounds
- Product managers & innovation leaders in creative tech
- Marketing strategists & business leaders exploring AI-powered features
- Creative professionals who want to understand AI’s role in design & digital media
- Designed for business-minded learners, not engineers or data scientists.
Industry Recognized Certificate
You will receive an award of achievement from Centre for Digital Media, Simon Fraser University, and DigiBC upon completion of all courses, which is recognized by association members.
Meet the Instructor
Dr. Sherry Zhao is a leader with a proven track record in driving economic growth and fostering innovation. As Chair of the NEXT Leaders Council, Business Council of British Columbia and Vice Chair of the Scale-up Centre for SME at Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, she is deeply committed to empowering entrepreneurs and building a thriving business ecosystem. With a strong academic background and extensive board experience, she excels in building partnerships and mentoring startups with her unique blend of strategic vision and industry insights. As Founder of Strillence Strategic, she leverages her expertise to help organizations achieve their strategic objectives. Previously, she held key leadership roles at Mitacs, where she played a pivotal role in bridging industry and academia. Recognized for her exceptional contributions to the innovation community, Dr. Zhao was honored with the Outstanding Young Alumnus award at UBC Chemistry in 2021.
World Class Collaboration
Centre for Digital Media was established through the ground-breaking partnership of four leading academic institutions: The University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU), Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU), and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
FAQ
Do I need to know how to code?
No. This course is built for non-technical founders, product managers, and professionals who want to understand and apply AI — without writing code.
Is this course fully online?
Yes — it includes weekly live sessions on Zoom (Tuesdays, 6–7:30 pm) plus flexible self-paced videos and assignments.
How much time will this take each week?
About 5 hours per week over 9 weeks (total ~45 hours).
What kinds of assignments will I do?
Practical tasks like brainstorming with AI tools, designing a pitch deck, evaluating AI tools for your team, and writing reflections on ethical use.
Who is this course best suited for?
Entrepreneurs with a digital product idea, product managers or other industry professionals leading innovation within their teams or organization, and creative professionals wanting to stay ahead in AI.
What if I miss a live session?
Live sessions are recorded and materials are available online, but active participation is recommended for the best experience.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes — upon successful completion, you’ll receive an industry-recognized certificate from the Centre for Digital Media and DigiBC.
Can I take this from outside Vancouver?
Yes — the course is fully online and open to learners across the globe.
Thrive in Today's Digital Workplace
Stay ahead of fast moving AI trends so that you can make strategic decisions in your organization and career.
Building Blocks of Digital Media
This course is part of an advanced upskilling program is designed for professionals who want to incorporate digital media and generative AI into their workflows.
Gain a practical understanding of digital media technologies and develop skills to build or contribute to digital projects in your industry. Designed by industry for newcomers to digital media or for managers, this 4-course program will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to develop your own digital products as well as oversee a digital product development team in your organization.
Future Courses
Courses can be taken individually and in any order—except for Applications of Digital Media—which must be completed last.
Course Delivery: Online, asynchronous learning with weekly synchronous virtual sessions.
9 weeks per course (excluding Applications of Digital Media), with 4 hours of self-study and 1-hour synchronous virtual session weekly.
Weekly Time Commitment: 5 hours/week
Duration: 45 hours
9 weeks | 4 hours of self-study and 1 hour synchronous virtual per week
Tackle a real-world challenge of your choosing and learn how to leverage digital products to achieve your desired results
Duration: 45 hours
9 weeks | 4 hours of self-study and 1 hour synchronous virtual per week
Digital media products—from the software in airports to apps on our phones—are omnipresent, but how do they work? This course provides a clear understanding of the essential components of digital media development. Designed for non-technical professionals, it equips you with the knowledge to work effectively with technical teams without needing to be a developer. Learn more
What You’ll Learn
- Identify the technical components of modern digital products.
- Understand the phases and roles in the software development process.
- Plan for the maintenance and evolution of digital products post-launch.
- Understand the trade-offs of different development approaches.
- Contribute meaningfully to technical discussions.
Duration: 45 hours
9 weeks | 4 hours of self-study and 1 hour synchronous virtual per week
Choose from a selection of electives focused on digital media and creative technology. Options include Centre for Digital Media courses, Emily Carr University Creative Tech Microcredentials, or DigiBC-endorsed programs. Tailor your learning to your specific career goals with flexible elective options.
90 hours
9 weeks | 4 hours of self-study and 1 hour synchronous virtual per week, plus 9 weeks of self-directed project work with mentorship
Apply what you've learned from the previous courses by planning and executing a digital media project. In the first half, learn the essentials of project planning. In the second half, develop your own project under mentorship, turning theoretical knowledge into a practical solution for your workplace.
More details to come.