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Individual Course

Data Science and AI Principles

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Course Length

5 weeks

4–5 hours per week

Featuring faculty from:

Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences LogoHarvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Certificate Price:

$ 1,200

Enroll by May 14, 2026

Enroll Now

Certificate Price:

$ 1,200

Enroll by May 14, 2026

Enroll Now

Data Science and AI Principles is a Harvard Online course that gives you an overview of data science and AI systems with a nearly code- and math-free introduction to prediction, causality, visualization, data wrangling, privacy, ethics.

What is data science, and how can it help you make sense of the data, tools, and AI systems available today?

Data science is at the core of any growing modern business, from health care to government to advertising and more. It also underpins today’s most powerful AI technologies, including machine learning models and large language models (LLMs). Insights gathered from data collection and analysis practices have the potential to increase the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of work output in both professional and personal situations.

Data Science and AI Principles makes the foundational topics in data science and AI approachable and relevant by using real-world examples that prompt you to think critically about applying these understandings to your workplace. You’ll explore how data science provides the building blocks for AI, machine learning, and LLMs, and learn how organizations can use these tools to transform products, services, and decision-making.

Self-Guided

Harvard Online

Industries:

  • Technology
  • Financial Services
  • Health Care
  • Consulting
  • Carlos E. S.
  • Avnish K.
  • Sonja S.

Global Learning Community

  • Learn from real case studies
  • Do it on your own time
  • Get a certificate, add it to your resume
  • Be part of the Harvard Community
Data Science for Business values

Syllabus

Data Science and AI Principles makes the fundamental topics in data science approachable and relevant by using real-world examples and prompts learners to think critically about applying these new understandings to their own workplace. See how these concepts translate from theory to practice with examples relevant to your own work environment.

Download Full Syllabus

Faculty

Industry Experts

Your Instructor

Dustin Tingley

Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Public Policy with a joint appointment in the Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy and Harvard Government Department

Dustin Tingley is a data scientist at Harvard University. He is the Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Public Policy with a joint appointment in the Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy and Harvard Government Department. Professor Tingley is Deputy Vice Provost for Advances in Learning and helps to direct Harvard's education focused data science and technology team. He has helped a variety of organizations use the tools of data science and helped to develop machine learning algorithms and accompanying software for the social sciences. He has written on a variety of topics using data science techniques, including education, politics, and economics.

Industry Expert

Mauricio Santillana

Harvard Professor

Listen to Harvard Professor and faculty member at Boston Children’s Hospital analyze Google Flu, its failures, and lessons learned.

Affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.

Industry Expert

Latanya Sweeney

Director of the Data Privacy Lab in IQSS at Harvard

Explore the difficulties faced in keeping data anonymous and private with Harvard Professor and Director of the Data Privacy Lab in IQSS at Harvard.

Industry Expert

Dan Restuccia

Chief Product and Analytics Officer

Learn how Burning Glass Technologies uses text analysis to recommend job openings, skill development, and labor market trends.

Affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.

This is a topic that people in any industry should have at least basic knowledge of in order to create more efficient and competitive businesses, tools, and resources.

Carlos E. S.

Chief Strategy Officer

I was highly impressed how uniquely and smartly this entire course was designed and structured. There were variety of real life application/industry based mandatory individual/group assignments/case studies which were not that easy. Your thought process and critical thinking gets deeply challenged.

Avnish K.

Associate Director

The way this complicated topic was presented and the reflection it caused was impressive. I enjoyed the way I could dive into a whole new world of expertise in such an engaging way.

Sonja S.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

It's especially beneficial for learners to be able to tie back new or abstract concepts to ideas that we understand. This course helped me understand data in this context and what algorithms are actually trying to solve.

Alejandro D.

Financial Services Analyst

Data Science Principles applies to many aspects of our daily lives. The course helps guide people in everyday life through decision making and process thinking.

Jared D.

Senior Director of Sales

Over the past few years, I have been working diligently as a software engineer, continuously expanding my skillset. I decided to further advance my career by enrolling in Data Science Principles, which has provided me with a strong foundation in this exciting and rapidly evolving field. This academic training has significantly enhanced my ability to make informed decisions when tackling complex problems.

Irvi A.

Graduate Student

It is with great satisfaction that I highlight the relevance of the content covered in this course, which was extremely current and applicable to my area of expertise in Business Law and research in Artificial Intelligence.... This course not only expanded my understanding of data science, but also provided me with practical tools to address complex problems in my field. I look forward to applying these learnings in my professional and academic career.

Lucas C.

Partner

As algorithms continue to permeate nearly every aspect of our lives, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how these algorithms work and the underlying ethical concerns they raise. As an independent researcher in AI, Society and Democracy, I found it necessary to attend this course to have a basic understanding of data science. I do recommend the course because it successfully simplified complex technical concepts through peer engagement and case studies.

Joanita N.

Founder

I will recommend Data Science Principles to my co-workers, I think it is a really well-rounded course with tons of details and great examples. The site works great, the course load is manageable even with a busy work schedule.

Gábor

Content Intelligence Specialist

The program was structured in a way that kept me engaged throughout. Even though it was online, the discussions made it feel collaborative and connected. I walked away with practical knowledge and a stronger understanding of data science principles.

Farhat R.

Cyber Security Analyst

Academically, this isn’t a monumental achievement. But for me, it is monumental because while I was completing this program, I made a sudden trip to India to be with my Dadi and especially my Nani, who was in critical condition, and completed this course wherever I could find internet connection and electricity on Indian Standard time (9.5 hours from DC time).

Shreya

This course had a direct and positive impact on my professional goals. Beyond tools and techniques, the course strengthened my ability to ask better questions, critically interpret results, and connect data to real-world problems, especially in complex, high-risk environments such as aviation and operational safety.

César

Aviation and Operational Safety

Coming from a management-related background, the overall topic and it´s technical exposure was just optionally available. The course strengthened my knowledge and helped me to better connect AI capabilities with strategic decision-making and business outcomes. It reinforced my goal of moving into roles where I can bridge technology and business, like Data & AI Strategist, where I can translating complex data insights into actionable strategies. Additionally, the global-minded approach aligned with my international mindset and ambition to work in cross-functional global environments.

Jens D.

Unlock Exclusive Webinar Replays with Your Enrollment

When you enroll in Data Science Principles—or any course in the Harvard on Digital series—you’ll gain access to an exclusive, on-demand library of webinars available only to enrolled Harvard Online learners. Hear from Data Science for Business faculty Yael Grushka-Cockayne in Harnessing AI in Business, learn from Professor Dustin Tingley in Data Science in the AI Era, and explore many more expert-led sessions. Explore all of our enrolled learner and past participant benefits. Explore all of our enrolled learner and past participant benefits.

Learning Path in this topic

Harvard on Digital

These courses are curated to help you develop a data-first mindset, improve your digital strategic thinking, and learn how to navigate, manage, and lead in these environments. 

See learning path

5 Courses available

Data Privacy and Technology

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Data Science for Business

Jun 10, 2026 • 4–5 hours per week

Demystify the data science ecosystem and become a data-focused manager

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Big Data for Social Good

Jun 3, 2026 • 4–5 hours per week

Use data to tackle the most pressing social challenges of our time

  • Government
  • Other Non Profit
  • +2
  • Featured
  • Certificate
Big Data for Social Good

Open Innovation

Jul 8, 2026 • 2–4 hours a week

Strategies for solutions to solve your organization’s problems

  • Technology
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • +2
  • Featured
  • Certificate
Open Innovation

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A variety of formats, from long-form courses that replicate an on-campus classroom experience to short-form content

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Past Participant Discounts

Learners who have enrolled in at least one qualifying Harvard Online program can receive a 30% discount, automatically applied to the Program Fee upon time of payment.

Learners who have earned a verified certificate for a HarvardX course hosted on the edX platform are eligible to receive a 30% discount using a discount code. Please check your email for a code or contact us.

Nonprofit, Government, Military, and Education Discounts

Eligibility is determined by a prospective learner’s email address, ending in .org, .gov, .mil, or .edu. Interested learners can apply below for the discount and, if eligible, will receive a promo code to enter when completing payment information to enroll in a Harvard Online program. 

Apply for Discount

FAQs

We offer 30% discounts to past participants of select Harvard Online courses. We also offer discounts on select courses to learners who work in nonprofits, government, military, or education, or are U.S. veterans. You can find more information about current discounts and eligibility on our course policies and discounts page.

Apply for a Discount

Once you've earned your Certificate of Completion, list it on your resume along with the date of completion:

Harvard Online

Certificate in Data Science and AI Principles

[Cohort Start Month and Year]

List your certificate on your LinkedIn profile under "Education" as follows:

School: Harvard Online

Dates Attended: [The year you participated in the program]

Degree: Other; Certificate in Data Science and AI Principles

Field of Study: Leave blank

Grade: Complete

Activities and Societies: Leave blank

For the program description on LinkedIn, please use the following:

Data Science and AU Principles is an online course that allows you to gain a familiarity with the fundamental concepts and use of data science and artificial intelligence, including prediction, causality, data wrangling, privacy, and ethics.

You are expected to complete all coursework in a thoughtful and timely way. This includes completing the modules and fully answering the questions in each module between the course start and end dates so that the cohort can move through the course at a similar pace and benefit from social learning opportunities. ⁠In addition to completing modules and assignments, you are expected to provide feedback on other learners’ reflections and contribute to discussions on the platform.

⁠You can set your own daily or weekly routine and adjust it as needed, but to receive your certificate you must complete all modules and assignments by the stated course end date. Learners who do not complete the course requirements will not receive a certificate and will not be eligible to retake the course. No letter grades are assigned for this course; your participation is evaluated on a complete or incomplete basis.

For detailed information about technology and bandwidth requirements, please see our full Harvard Online FAQs.

There is no application required for this course. You can enroll directly through Harvard Online if you are at least 18 years old, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

Data Science and AI Principles focuses on the conceptual level and there are no prerequisites. No mathematics or programming experience is required. The course is particularly well‑suited for organizational leaders, managers, and business operations specialists who work with data scientists or AI systems and want to understand how data science and AI can support better decisions in their organizations.

Upon successful completion of this program, you will receive a digital Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online. Our team reviews all participant coursework after the final deadline in your course, and, once eligibility is confirmed, your Certified Electronic Credential will be delivered to your email address.

You will have access to the materials in every prior module as you progress through the program. Access to course materials and the course platform ends 60 days after the final deadline in the program.

Professor Tingley and our team have developed a brand-new module focused on artificial intelligence—what it is, how it’s powered by data science and its core fundamentals, how to put AI to work in your organization, and how to use it responsibly and ethically in both your workplace and everyday life.

To reflect this new AI-focused content, we’ve also updated the course title from Data Science Principles to Data Science and AI Principles so it better captures the skills you’ll gain. Additionally, to reflect the value of the new content we have updated the price of this course from $950 to $1,200 USD.

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