Artificial Intelligence And Data Science course
Review

Become a Data Scientist with our Practical Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Course

Medium
  • Last updated 17/06/2025
by Institute of Data

What you'll learn ? Overview

The Institute of Data’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Science course promises to turn complete beginners into job-ready data scientists through live virtual classes, hands-on projects, and industry-focused training.

At first glance, their bold claim of “no prior experience required” stands out. However, the curriculum packs a vast range of topics, Python programming, machine learning, deep learning, NLP, and big data technologies, into an intense 12 weeks part-time or 6 weeks full-time schedule. For anyone starting from scratch, this is a demanding pace.

What sets this course apart is its cohort-based structure with live instructors actively working in the industry. Students benefit from real-time problem solving, collaborative projects, and immediate feedback, offering a level of interaction that self-paced MOOCs can’t provide. Developed alongside university partners, the curriculum covers everything from basic Python to advanced neural networks, finishing with a capstone project to showcase your skills.

One major downside is the price, which isn’t openly displayed on their website. You need to book a consultation to learn the cost ranges from $7,000 to $9,000, placing it firmly in the ultra high-ticket category, more expensive than many university certificates or computer science degrees.

The program does include career support services such as resume building, interview prep, and networking opportunities. Graduates earn a “Certified Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Professional (CDSAIP)” certification, although its recognition in the industry isn’t as established as certifications from AWS, Google, or Microsoft.

If you’re prepared for an intense, immersive learning experience and can handle the steep price tag, this program offers a structured, live-led path into data science. Just be aware the challenge and cost are significant.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Intermediate (Some Foundational Knowledge Recommended)

👉

Time commitment

intensive Intensive (10+ Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Live (Engaging Sessions With Instructors Or Peers)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Career changers with quantitative backgrounds, professionals with some coding exposure seeking structured data science training, or those who specifically value live instruction and can afford the premium for hand-holding through complex topics

Instructor

Institute of Data

Global Data Science and AI Education Provider Legitimacy Score: 8/10
The Institute of Data is a leading global provider of accelerated workforce training in data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Collaborating with top universities, they offer practical, industry-focused programs designed to bridge the skills gap in data-driven industries. Their approach combines intensive training with real-world projects, preparing professionals for the evolving demands of the digital economy.
Founded to address the growing need for data professionals, the Institute of Data has established a strong presence in multiple countries. They have developed partnerships with universities and industry leaders to deliver cutting-edge curriculum. Their programs, typically spanning 3 to 6 months with over 400 hours of training, have successfully transformed careers and equipped businesses with essential data capabilities.
• Established partnerships with top universities across multiple countries
• Developed industry-recognized certification programs in data science and AI
• Successfully trained and placed numerous professionals in data-driven roles
• Recognized for bridging the gap between academia and industry needs in data science education
• Regular webinars on data science trends and career opportunities
• Participation in tech and education conferences (specific events not found)
• Industry panels on the future of data science and AI workforce
The Institute of Data leverages various digital platforms to share insights on data science, AI, and tech career development. They regularly publish blog posts, host webinars, and engage with their audience through social media channels, focusing on educational content and industry trends.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration84
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Monthly
  • ⏰ Time investmentIntensive (10+ Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

While marketed as "no experience required," success realistically demands strong analytical thinking, basic math comfort, and exceptional time management skills


💻 Requirements

Laptop with stable high-speed internet, capable of running Python environments and data analysis software


💸 Hidden Costs

No additional software costs identified (uses open-source tools), but factor in opportunity costs of intensive time commitment


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Live instructor Q&A, TA assistance, career services team, peer collaboration through cohort structure

Course content

  • Module 1: Data Science Fundamentals Introduction to Data Science, AI, and Machine Learning, Data Science lifecycle and methodologies, Understanding different types of data, Introduction to data ethics and privacy
  • Module 2: Python for Data Science Python basics (data types, control flow, functions), Key Python libraries (NumPy, Pandas), Data loading and cleaning with Python
  • Module 3: Advanced Statistical Analysis Descriptive and inferential statistics, Probability distributions, Hypothesis testing, Regression analysis (linear, logistic), ANOVA
  • Module 4: Data Wrangling and Preprocessing Techniques for cleaning messy data, Handling missing values, Data transformation and feature scaling, Feature engineering
  • Module 5: Machine Learning Algorithms Supervised learning (k-NN, Decision Trees, Random Forests, SVM, Naive Bayes), Unsupervised learning (K-Means, Hierarchical clustering), Model evaluation metrics
  • Module 6: Deep Learning and Neural Networks Introduction to neural networks, Building and training neural networks (TensorFlow/Keras), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs)
  • Module 7: Natural Language Processing (NLP) Text preprocessing techniques, Feature extraction (Bag-of-Words, TF-IDF), Sentiment analysis, Topic modeling
  • Module 8: Big Data Technologies Introduction to Big Data concepts, Overview of Hadoop and Spark ecosystems, Working with distributed data storage and processing
  • Module 9: Data Visualisation and Storytelling Principles of effective data visualisation, Using Matplotlib and Seaborn, Creating dashboards, Communicating insights effectively
  • Module 10: AI Ethics and Governance Understanding bias in AI, Fairness, accountability, and transparency, Regulatory and ethical guidelines
  • Module 11: Capstone Project End-to-end real-world project, From data collection to model deployment, Portfolio building
  • Module 12: Career Preparation Resume and LinkedIn profile building, Interview skills workshops, Networking strategies, Job search support

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

We analyzed hundreds of reviews and found a fascinating split. Trustpilot shows overwhelmingly positive feedback (4.7/5 stars from 1,761 reviews), while Reddit discussions paint a much more skeptical picture. This divergence raised our eyebrows and prompted deeper investigation.

Praised points

  • Expert Instructors: Students consistently highlight the quality of teaching, with instructors bringing real industry experience
  • Practical Focus: The hands-on projects and labs receive frequent praise for building applicable skills
  • Support System: Many appreciate the responsive TAs and collaborative learning environment

Criticisms

  • Aggressive Sales Tactics: Multiple Reddit users report receiving "incessant" calls until they either sign up or explicitly refuse
  • Price vs. Value Concerns: The $7,000-$9,000 cost draws heavy criticism, especially given free alternatives like Andrew Ng's courses
  • Unrealistic Expectations: The "no experience required" claim frustrates students who find themselves overwhelmed by the pace

Testimonials

"Great course overall. It encouraged me to really improve in the skills needed to succeed in the data science field." – Institute of Data review

 "The instructor's knowledge and expertise are top-notch." – Institute of Data US review

 "The instructional team was very helpful and supportive." – Institute of Data US review

 "I learned a lot, and am happy I decided to do it." – Institute of Data US review

 "Everyone works well with each other which is exactly what you want in a classroom environment." – Institute of Data US review

Social insights

Reddit discussions reveal a pattern we couldn't ignore. One user bluntly stated, "DoD/IoD is basically a sales organisation with a sideline in education." Another warned, "It's a sales company that sells courses. They will call you incessantly until you either sign up or tell them to f off." These aren't isolated comments, multiple threads echo similar experiences.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The promise to "Become a Data Scientist" in 12 weeks from zero experience stretches credibility. While the course provides comprehensive exposure to data science concepts, most graduates would realistically qualify for junior analyst or entry-level positions, not immediate data scientist roles. The "job outcomes support" translates to career coaching and resume help, not guaranteed placement.

Price History

Based on forum discussions, the $7,000-$9,000 price has remained relatively stable. No evidence of significant discounting or price drops, suggesting consistent positioning in the ultra-premium market.

Upsell Practices

Primary upsell appears to be financing options rather than additional courses. The lack of transparent follow-up programs or advanced certifications is notable.

Student Success

While the website features success stories, we couldn't independently verify specific job placement rates or salary outcomes. The absence of publicly available outcome data is concerning for a program at this price point.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Uses a functional but unremarkable LMS for content delivery. No major technical complaints found, but nothing innovative either.

Content Accessibility

Live classes with recordings available for review. Course materials accessible during program duration only, no lifetime access confirmed.

Mobile Compatibility

Platform optimized for desktop learning, mobile access limited to reviewing materials rather than full participation

Technical Requirements

Standard requirements for video conferencing and Python development environments. Cloud computing resources for big data modules unclear.

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

The most serious complaint we encountered involves the refund policy. Students get only 3 business days for a full refund on a course costing up to $9,000. After 14 days, you're liable for the entire fee, regardless of circumstances. We also found multiple reports of high-pressure sales tactics and misleading marketing about difficulty levels.

😬

Refund policy issues

The 3-day refund window is extraordinarily restrictive for such an expensive program. Most reputable online courses offer at least 14-30 days. This policy essentially locks students in before they can properly assess if the course matches their abilities.

😬

Marketing practices

The lack of transparent pricing immediately raises concerns. Requiring potential students to sit through a sales call before revealing costs is a classic high-ticket sales tactic. Combined with reports of persistent follow-up calls, this creates an uncomfortable enrollment experience for many.

😬

Community feedback

Independent forums consistently express skepticism about the value proposition. Former employees have allegedly posted warnings about the sales-focused culture, though we couldn't verify these claims directly.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $7,000-$9,000, this course sits at the extreme end of the pricing spectrum for data science bootcamps. We struggled to identify what justifies this premium over alternatives like Coursera's Data Science specializations ($49/month), Udacity's Data Scientist Nanodegree ($399/month), or even university certificates costing half as much. The live instruction adds value, but not $7,000 worth compared to guided projects and mentorship available elsewhere.

Conclusion

After extensive research, we find the Institute of Data's course occupies an awkward position in the education market. The actual instruction appears solid, with knowledgeable instructors delivering comprehensive content through engaging live sessions. Students who complete the program do gain practical data science skills.
However, several factors prevent us from recommending this course to most learners. The ultra-high price lacks transparent justification, especially when compared to university programs or established online alternatives. The aggressive sales tactics reported by multiple sources create an uncomfortable enrollment experience. Most concerning, the 3-day refund policy on a $7,000+ investment seems designed to trap uncertain students.
The course might work for a specific type of learner: someone who absolutely needs live, structured instruction, has $7,000-$9,000 to invest without financial strain, and enters with realistic expectations about the intensive workload and entry-level job prospects. For everyone else, we'd suggest exploring more affordable alternatives that offer similar content with less financial risk.
Is it legitimate? Yes, in that it delivers actual data science education. Is it worth the price? For 95% of learners, probably not. The combination of excessive cost, restrictive policies, and readily available alternatives makes this a difficult recommendation despite the quality instruction.

FAQs about this course

The price isn't listed publicly. Based on multiple reports, expect to pay between $7,000 and $9,000 USD. You'll need to sit through a sales consultation to get the exact figure.

While marketed as requiring no prior experience, the pace is extremely challenging for true beginners. Students with some analytical or technical background fare much better. Complete novices often report feeling overwhelmed.

Extremely restrictive. You have only 3 business days for a full refund. After 14 days, you're liable for the entire fee. This is much stricter than industry standards.

No. The program offers job search support including resume help and interview prep, but does not guarantee placement. Don't expect automatic job offers upon graduation.

Many universities offer data science certificates for $3,000-$5,000 with more recognized credentials. The Institute of Data costs more while offering less prestigious certification.

Multiple sources report persistent sales calls after initial inquiry. Be prepared for high-pressure tactics if you request information. Consider using a secondary email and phone number.

The CDSAIP certification isn't widely recognized in industry compared to certifications from Microsoft, Google, or AWS. Focus on the skills gained rather than the credential itself.

The part-time option requires 10+ hours weekly minimum, with many students reporting 15-20 hours needed to keep up. Factor in significant evenings and weekends.

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Artificial Intelligence And Data Science course screenshot
Artificial Intelligence And Data Science course Review
$ 7 000
Total score: 5,4/10 ⭐
  • Duration84
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2023
  • Format Enum.course_Format.cohort or Workshop
  • AccessMonthly
  • Time InvestmentIntensive (10+ Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options Installments
  • LanguageEnglish
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Artificial Intelligence And Data Science course Review