Lessons from developing and delivering an artificial intelligence course during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a major shift from classroom to online learning. In this paper we present the strategy we used to develop a course for teaching the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course at the Zagreb School of Economics and management under the changed circumstances. We have analyzed and compared a number open source tools and products on the market and weaved them into a fully digital classroom. We have evaluated student satisfaction and compared learning outcomes. Specifically we also present a number of approaches taken related specifically to the field of AI and the conducting of practical exercises using a cloud based approach. Our data shows that many of the tools adopted during Covid-19 should stay in use in post pandemic times.