Capgemini develops MOOC around digital disruption and innovation

Capgemini has developed a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in 'Innovative Digital Trends' for its Academy, which commences in November. The course will cover the major digital trends of this moment, including artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things, cloud systems, machine learning, and virtual reality. It deals with how these technologies look like and how to get the most out of it. In addition, attention is paid to the impact of technology in the coming years.

New competitors leveraging digital technology are a major source of disruption across all industrial fronts. From Booking.com in the travel world, to Uber in the taxi industry, and Airbnb in the overnight stay segment - all-around players are challenged by new, faster and more innovative niche market entrants. They all share a feature, they use the power of digital to create new business models, streamline business operations and improve customer satisfaction.

In view of the prominent roles of digital disruption and innovation now play in business, the Capgemini Academy – which provides transformative training for IT professionals – has decided to organise the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) 'Innovative Digital Trends'. This online course is intended for professionals who want to explore the subject in a low-threshold, interactive and accessible way.

A statement from the Academy said, "Knowledge of new technologies and their development is no longer reserved exclusively to the IT department. Whether you are a consultant, marketer or accountant, you must use the latest tools and technologies to keep up with. With the MOOC 'Innovative Digital Trends' we aim to make this complex substance comprehensible to all.”

The most important questions about the latest digital developments will be addressed, with the event paying particular attention to the ways in which and the extent to which they will bring about change, also towards individual employees, "What are the new technologies, how can you use them? Above all: what impact will it have on you, on your daily life and work?"

Programme

The MOOC will start on November 6th, running for four weeks. Within this period, participants in the course can determine their own pace, with the materials on offer including videos, blogs and readers to the students. In the first week, the central theme will be "What is innovation and how do you innovate?" The workshops will explore how digital innovations can be embraced and some of the methods used to deploy them effectively. The second week meanwhile address the cloud, "What and where is the cloud and how can you get there?"

The third week will meanwhile address the questions of automation, and what it means, for example, if your jobs are taken over by robots, along with the impact on consumers. The fourth and final week is in the art of artificial intelligence (AI). Topics will include deep learning, natural language processing and face recognition, to get a better picture of AI and the many possibilities offered by it.

Each of the four themes will be closed by challenging the participants with a number of questions and statements. During the four weeks of the MOOC, the students can also share experiences, questions, ideas and content through the discussion platform that Capgemini Academy sets up in parallel with the MOOC. "The idea is that you learn not only from us but also from each other," says Capgemini Academy.

The MOOC will be given in English. Participants can choose to follow only the basic program, but it is also possible to build their own curriculum to delve deeper into the subjects, and learn more about the possible applications of new technologies. Participation is not charged, but interested parties should sign up. Capgemini Academy invites anyone looking for a "fun, interactive, flexible," self-paced "fast and easy way to stay up to date in the digital innovative world" to join the MOOC.

New brand as it turns 50

Capgemini are presently completing their 50th year in business. Last month the consulting and technology firm launched a new corporate identity as part of its celebrations. Earlier in the year, the IT and technology experts were drafted in by McDonalds to help the fast food giant with their digital solutions strategy.