Ever wondered what it’s like to contribute to democratizing cutting-edge AI education? My journey with DeepLearning.AI shows exactly how this can be done. It all began on a fateful day in January last year when I started the Machine Learning Specialization. I was captivated by how Professor Andrew Ng broke down complex concepts, making them accessible.
Building Foundations in Northern Nigeria
At the time, and still today, I work for a drone logistics company delivering health commodities and essential supplies in Northern Nigeria, where I am based, as well as in other countries across Africa and beyond. Having access to technology, despite the challenges of my environment, sparked my interest in machine learning. That same month, I joined Arewa Data Science Academy as a fellow, further deepening my passion for AI.
Discovering Coursera was a game-changer. Through financial aid, I enrolled in DeepLearning.AI’s courses at no cost—a critical support that enabled me to complete both the Machine Learning and Deep Learning Specializations by April. While a 10% contribution is now required, it remains a fair opportunity that I value greatly.
From Student to Course Tester
After completing those specializations, I became hooked on learning. I’ve taken almost all the courses offered by DeepLearning.AI, except the TensorFlow Specializations. Though initially quiet in the DeepLearning.AI forum, I eventually engaged more and discovered the immense value of the community. That’s when my first opportunity as a course tester emerged.
I started with testing short courses, and the experience has been transformative. Through testing, I gained early exposure to cutting-edge developments like Llama 2 and 3 and Mistral—knowledge that proved invaluable during a hackathon where I worked on fine-tuning Llama models. The comprehensive short course on the Huggingface ecosystem was particularly enlightening. My testing experience expanded to include Data Engineering courses and contributing to the TensorFlow Developer Professional Certification update.
Testing courses has become an integral part of my journey, keeping me at the forefront of AI developments. A highlight was participating in a close-knit group testing the CrewAI Multi-Agent Systems course. Working with the DeepLearning.AI team provided invaluable insights into the meticulous process of creating high-quality educational content.
Impact and Growth
The benefits of being a course tester have been far-reaching. The skills I’ve acquired directly enhance my work, empowering me to tackle new challenges with confidence. Even seemingly peripheral skills, like advanced spreadsheet expertise gained during course testing, have become valuable tools in my daily work. A significant milestone was earning a full sponsorship to attend the Deep Learning Indaba in Senegal in September 2024—an opportunity I attribute to the knowledge and experience gained through this journey.
Professor Andrew Ng’s advice to apply AI within one’s existing field, rather than completely pivoting to AI, particularly resonated with me. With my background in healthcare, this guidance has shaped my vision for the future. I’m now focused on leveraging AI-driven solutions to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in using predictive models to optimize logistics operations—creating a bridge between my healthcare expertise and AI’s transformative potential.
Looking Forward with Gratitude
I am profoundly grateful to the DeepLearning.AI team for shaping my learning journey and to Professor Andrew Ng for founding this remarkable organization. The accessible pricing model on Coursera has been truly life-changing, especially for someone like me from a region where educational opportunities are limited.
To everyone who has been part of this journey: thank you. I am excited about the future and look forward to making even greater contributions to the AI community!
