Applied AI Study Group #9

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When and where is the Applied AI Study Group?

A: The study group will take place at BEV Foundation in Taksim every Saturday starting in February. Additionally, online lab sessions will be held weekdays (generally on Wednesdays and Thursdays).

Q: When is the Application Period?

A: Between January 17 - February 7, until 23.59.

Q: Do I have to attend all of the courses?

A: Yes, without a decent excuse, nonattendance will result in disqualification from the course. Weekday sessions (online lab sessions) are not mandatory but your participation is highly encouraged.

Q: Will you hold weekly discussions in Turkish or English?

A: The classes will be held in Turkish. However, all the materials will be in English.

Q: How can I access the course materials?

A: Participants in the Applied AI program will have access to materials through Google Classroom.

Q: Who leads the discussion group?

A: This course is famous for being as community-driven as it gets! We will be setting up a discussion environment with selected guides from the previous batches of the program.

Q: What does it take to graduate from the program?

A: To graduate from the program, you must actively participate in all classes, including studying the material, attending classes, and completing assigned homework. Attending weekday sessions is highly recommended as it will greatly benefit your learning and success in the program. However, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.

Q: How much will the study group cost for the participants?

A: The study group is free of charge as we are a non-profit project of BEV.Foundation. Your active participation and hard work are the only requirements.

Q: How can I access the curriculum?

A: You can find the syllabus here. Please remember that our guides may be adding up to the schedule as they seem fit.

Q: Who can join the program, can I join even if I am not a university student?

A: The study group is open to individuals aged 18 and older. Having the necessary technical knowledge is sufficient for application.

Q: What level of background knowledge does the study group require?

A: The course is taught in Python. Have a Python environment (i.e. Anaconda) ready on your computer before the program. It will be easier for you if you also install TensorFlow and PyTorch. You can find the instructions here https://goo.gl/2af83V.

We assume you have strong programming skills (being able to grasp the structure of any Python framework by looking at its documentation and code samples).

Recommended skills are basic linear algebra in mathematics (matrix-vector operations and notation), a strong understanding of machine learning (how we represent data, what a machine learning model does), and a good understanding of deep learning concepts (convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks).

Q: I do not study or have a degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering but I know programming. Can I attend the program?

A: As long as you give decent answers in the form and your background is proven to be sufficient, your major does not matter.

Q: Will I get a certificate?

A: We issue a certificate of completion for you to upload on social platforms. Only participants who complete the whole journey are deemed eligible to receive a certificate.

Q: What is the Code of Conduct and why do participants have to abide by it?

A: Code of Conduct is an agreement between the participants and inzva. As inzva, we want to provide a peaceful environment and a harassment-free coding experience to all participants. By applying to the programs, you agree to the Code of Conduct.

Q: Can I use ChatGPT or other AI tools to answer questions in the application form?

A: No. We kindly ask you to refrain from using AI tools to answer questions, as we aim to assess your knowledge, technical skills, and creativity. Using AI-generated responses will lead to the disqualification of your application.

Q: When will the results be announced?

A: The evaluation process will take place in two phases. We will announce the results for the first phase via e-mail by February 14, until 23.59. The second phase will be an online interview. We will inform you about the second phase results by February 19, until 23.59. Only candidates who succeed in both phases will be selected for the program.

Q: What do you consider while selecting participants?

A: We consider many things while choosing participants; some of the key aspects include:

The study group is open to individuals aged 18 and older.
Your proficiency in technical questions will play a significant role in the evaluation process.
We value your genuine effort in providing thoughtful, creative solutions to questions.
We will take notes of the motivations and expectations that you will provide in the application form and interview session.
Since sessions will be held in person, it is important that there are no obstacles to your participation in on-site meetings.

Q: How will you organize the online meetups?

A: We use Zoom to hold our online discussions. You will be expected to follow certain instructions, which you can find in our rules of conduct, which was sent to you with your approval mail.

If you have any further questions, please contact us via ai@inzva.com

All participants have to abide by our CODE OF CONDUCT and LETTER OF CONSENT.

A BEV Foundation project inzva is a non-profit hacker community organizing study and project groups as well as camps in the fields of AI and Algorithm; and gathering CS students, academics, and professionals in Turkey.