Affective Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging discipline at the intersection of computer science, psychology, and human–computer interaction. Unlike traditional systems that focus only on data and logic, affective AI emphasizes the emotional dimension of human experience. It aims to build machines capable of detecting, interpreting, and responding intelligently to human emotions. This ability transforms interactions with technology, making them more natural, intuitive, and human-centered, with applications already impacting healthcare, education, customer service, and entertainment.
The course is structured to provide clarity and depth across four main topics. You will first explore the foundations of affective AI, including its historical development, differences between cognitive and affective intelligence, and the challenges of replicating emotions in machines. Next, you will study techniques for emotion recognition, such as facial expression analysis, speech and voice recognition, sentiment analysis in text, and multimodal systems. These methods rely on algorithms, neural networks, and datasets, while facing challenges like cultural variability and bias.
Finally, the course focuses on designing and applying emotion-aware AI systems, with real-world examples like chatbots, social robots, and educational assistants. You will analyze how these systems adapt to user emotions, balance empathy with performance, and enhance engagement. Ethical concerns such as privacy, manipulation risks, and cultural perspectives are also addressed, alongside emerging regulations. By completing the course, you will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge, equipping you to evaluate, design, and responsibly apply affective AI in careers where innovation and empathy intersect.
What You Will Learn In This Free Course
View All Learning Outcomes View Less All Alison courses are free to enrol, study, and complete. To successfully complete this Certificate course and become an Alison Graduate, you need to achieve 80% or higher in each course assessment.
Once you have completed this Certificate course, you have the option to acquire an official Certificate, which is a great way to share your achievement with the world.
Your Alison certificate is:
- Ideal for sharing with potential employers.
- Great for your CV, professional social media profiles, and job applications.
- An indication of your commitment to continuously learn, upskill, and achieve high results.
- An incentive for you to continue empowering yourself through lifelong learning.
Alison offers 2 types of Certificate for completed Certificate courses:
- Digital Certificate: a downloadable Certificate in PDF format immediately available to you when you complete your purchase.
- Physical Certificate: a physical version of your officially branded and security-marked Certificate
All Certificate are available to purchase through the Alison Shop. For more information on purchasing Alison Certificate, please visit our FAQs. If you decide not to purchase your Alison Certificate, you can still demonstrate your achievement by sharing your Learner Record or Learner Achievement Verification, both of which are accessible from your Account Settings.