Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (IIT Madras)

About this course

This NPTEL course from IIT Madras, taught by Prof. Deepak Khemani, is your guided tour through classical artificial intelligence—the foundational ideas that power everything from recommendation engines to game-playing AIs. You'll learn how machines search through possibilities, plan sequences of actions, represent knowledge, and act as intelligent agents. If you've wondered how AI systems actually think and decide, this course answers that question from first principles.

What you'll learn

• Search algorithms and problem-solving strategies—how machines explore possible solutions to find the best path forward
• Knowledge representation and reasoning—techniques to encode what a system knows and make logical conclusions from it
• Planning methods—how to break down complex goals into executable action sequences
• Intelligent agents—how to design systems that perceive their environment and make decisions autonomously
• Classical AI foundations—the conceptual bedrock that modern AI is still built upon, even as methods evolve
• Practical problem formulation—how to take a real-world challenge and frame it in ways an AI system can tackle
• Trade-offs in AI design—when to use which approach, and why no single solution fits every problem

Who this is for

This course is ideal if you're curious about how AI works under the hood, or if you're building a career in technology and need to understand AI's core concepts. Whether you're self-teaching or preparing for further study, this course gives you the mental models that make everything else click.

• Students — establish a strong conceptual foundation in AI before campus placements and interviews, so you can understand and discuss AI systems intelligently
• Career changers in tech — gain credibility and working knowledge if you're transitioning into AI roles or AI-adjacent positions

Prerequisites

Basic comfort with logical thinking and problem-solving. Some familiarity with programming concepts is helpful but not required. If you can follow a flowchart and understand if-then logic, you're ready.

Why this matters for Indian learners

India's tech industry is hungry for AI expertise, and classical AI concepts are essential for roles in startups, software companies, and research institutions across Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Delhi. Understanding how AI reasoning works—not just using pre-built models—makes you a more valuable engineer or researcher. From fintech companies building credit systems to e-commerce platforms optimizing logistics, these foundational skills power real products that Indian companies are shipping today.

Frequently asked questions

Is this course really free?

Yes. NPTEL courses are entirely free to access and learn from. You pay nothing to watch lectures, solve problems, and gain knowledge.

How long will it take to complete?

The course is structured for 36 hours of engagement. If you dedicate 4–5 hours per week, you can complete it in 7–9 weeks. You can go faster or slower depending on how deeply you dive into practice problems.

Will I get a certificate?

Yes. NPTEL offers certificates upon completion. You'll need to pass a final assessment, but there's no extra cost—the certificate is part of the free course.