Engineer gains practical AI knowledge through course with ALS
The last few years have seen the rollout and development of AI technologies reach new heights. Not just in terms of what these tools can now do but in the widespread uptake by many – including businesses.
In response to this ALS, in partnership with the British Computer Society, has developed and is delivering the BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence. The course equips learners with a better understanding of generative AI tools, how AI can be applied in a professional setting, and awareness of its possible ethical and legal challenges.
One learner who has completed the certificate is Alfie Healy.
Alfie currently works as a DevOps and Automation Engineer, a role that requires a firm grasp of efficiency, and problem-solving. Day-to-day, his work focuses on reducing manual effort across multiple business functions by designing and building internal tools and automated workflows. His technical toolkit spans Python and PowerShell, Microsoft 365 and Azure integrations, and increasingly, AI-enabled solutions that support smarter and more scalable operations.
“I’ve already been building automation and starting to work more closely with AI tools,” he explained. “But I wanted a structured understanding of AI beyond just ‘how to make it work’.” Rather than focusing purely on experimentation, Alfie wanted clarity on what AI actually is, how it should be used, and how organisations should think about adopting it responsibly. That’s what led him to the course.
“The BCS Foundation Certificate in AI helped me understand how AI fits into real business systems, not just technically, but responsibly,” he added. This directly supported his current responsibilities, particularly as he became more involved in designing and implementing AI-driven automation. The course content around AI lifecycle, risk, governance and ethical use have been especially relevant, as these considerations are critical when deploying AI in his work.
“The sections on responsible AI, bias, risk, and governance were also particularly valuable,” he added. These topics reframed AI for him as something that requires boundaries and oversight, especially when embedded into operational workflows that affect real people and processes.
Since completing the course, Alfie had been able to apply its principles to his role.
“When building or experimenting with AI features, I now think more carefully about data quality, transparency, user impact, and whether an AI solution is actually appropriate for the problem,” he said.
The qualification has also strengthened his ability to communicate complex AI concepts to colleagues. This has been particularly valuable when discussing risk, safety, and suitability with stakeholders who may not have a technical background.
“The support from ALS has been very good. The materials were clear, well structured, and easy to engage with alongside a full-time role,” Alfie said. “I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to work with AI in a professional setting, not just experiment with it.
“My goal now is to continue developing as an AI & Automation Engineer, with a focus on building practical AI solutions that improve operational efficiency and reliability.”
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