A new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Coursera platform is teaching professionals and students how to better use artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to improve their MATLAB programming skills and productivity.
The course, “AI-Assisted MATLAB Programming with ChatGPT,” was created by Akos Ledeczi, professor of computer science and Mike Fitzpatrick, professor of computer science, emeritus. This is also the 10-year anniversary of the release of their first MOOC called “Introduction to Programming with MATLAB,” which has become one of the most popular introductory programming courses with over 350,000 participants so far.
MATLAB is a specialized programming platform and language that has become the industry standard for engineers, scientists, economists, and researchers across multiple disciplines. Unlike traditional general-purpose programming languages, MATLAB excels at numerical analysis, mathematical modeling, data visualization, and algorithm development. Its usage ranges from aerospace and automotive engineering for simulation and control systems to renewable energy for modeling and system design.
The course addresses the growing intersection between AI and technical computing and is designed for both novice and experienced MATLAB users who want to enhance their productivity and learning through AI assistance. The hands-on curriculum covers understanding the capabilities and limitations of Large Language Models (LLMs); mastering prompt engineering techniques for generating high-quality MATLAB code; using ChatGPT as a personalized MATLAB tutor; applying AI assistance to debug and improve existing code; and solving complex programming problems efficiently with AI support.
As LLMs like ChatGPT continue to transform programming workflows, the course teaches participants how to effectively leverage these tools specifically for MATLAB development.
“LLMs are great,” Fitzpatrick said. “I use them in my work and even in my private life. They help me learn new things, find information, and write MATLAB programs faster and better.”
Added Ledeczi, “They are not perfect, but they are getting better every day. Contrary to some articles out there, they won’t replace the need for human intelligence when it comes to computer programming – at least not in the near future. But they can make you much better and more productive in many tasks now.”
To enroll in the course, visit https://www.coursera.org/learn/matlab-programming-with-chatgpt/.