The world is rapidly evolving and stagnation is not an option. Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping industries. It’s not just about setting new standards for innovation. It’s essentially a career change. If you’re a student, a working professional, or just curious about what’s going on around you, knowing the basics of AI is the best way to keep up with the changing world. Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022, new use cases for the disruptive technology have been announced every day, amplifying concerns about attrition. In times like these, skill development is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
Companies around the world are now looking for people who not only understand AI, but can apply that knowledge and even work with AI tools to solve problems and drive growth. Learning AI skills is, in a sense, future-proofing your career, as it is likely to open up new opportunities. From healthcare to finance to education to entertainment, AI is rapidly advancing in every field. For those with AI skills, now is the perfect time to put them to use. However, when you are thinking about improving your skills, you are also concerned about the cost. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get started.
Many well-known educational institutions and technology companies offer top-quality AI courses for free. Whether you want to learn more about machine learning, the ethics of AI, or just a practical introduction, choose from a wide range of free courses. In this article, we have listed some of the best AI courses that may help you level up for free.
Google: Google AI for everyone
If you’re new to the dissonance of AI, this is the perfect starting point. The search giant is offering an introductory course for those who want to learn how AI applies to real-world situations.
This course is offered through the online education platform edX and is a self-paced course that you can complete at your own pace.
If learners spend 2-3 hours per week, it will take approximately 4 weeks to complete the course. According to this platform, as its name suggests, you don’t need to be familiar with computer science or mathematics or have a background in AI.
No programming knowledge is required. The course will feature Lawrence Moloney, Google’s chief AI advocate. Students will learn about what AI is, how it fits with ML and deep learning, the importance of data, applications of AI, and more.
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AI for everyone by Andrew Ng
This is another foundational course designed to help learners understand AI. This course consists of four modules and offers a flexible schedule. Powered by Coursera, it has a rating of 4.8 and 98% of learners reported that they liked this course. Additionally, learners will also receive a shareable certificate that they can add to their LinkedIn profile.
As for the modules, students will learn about what AI is, building AI projects, building AI for enterprises, and AI and society. This course will be taught by Andrew Ng, a renowned British-American computer scientist and technology entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and head of Google Brain and also served as chief AI scientist at Chinese tech giant Baidu.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) by IBM
This course, offered by IBM through Coursera, is a great way to advance your career. Beginner-level courses are flexible and can be completed at your convenience. It consists of four modules: introduction and application of AI. AI concepts, terminology, and application domains. Transform your business and career with AI. Issues, concerns, and ethical considerations.
Students taking this course will learn new concepts from industry experts and gain a foundational understanding of the subject matter and tools. Additionally, you can develop job-related skills through hands-on projects. Most importantly, learners earn a shareable career certificate.
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Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python by Harvard University
This is one of the most popular free online courses offered by Harvard University. One of the prerequisites for accessing this course is that learners have taken Harvard University’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science course via the edX platform. This is a 7-week course that touches on AI algorithms, machine translation, handwriting recognition, gameplay engines, and more. Learners will need to spend approximately 10 to 30 hours per week to complete the course.
This module includes hands-on projects and lectures from David J. Malan, the Gordon McKay Professor in the Practice of Computer Science at Harvard, and Brian Yu, Senior Superintendent in Computer Science at Harvard. This course requires prior programming experience in CS50 and Python, but it’s one of the best programs if you want to upgrade your career.
Generative AI in SAP
This course from software giant SAP focuses on how generative AI is redefining business within the SAP ecosystem. This course covers some fundamental concepts, such as large-scale language models, while introducing real-world applications.
This course is tailored for business professionals and provides a deep understanding of how to use AI for innovation within your organization.
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The online course covers different approaches to AI and demonstrates different use cases. This will enable students to identify the fundamental uses and business benefits of AI. The course is free and can be completed at your own pace. However, no badges or certificates will be provided.
Overview of Google Cloud Generated AI
This is a microlearning course that teaches you the basics of generative AI in just 45 minutes. Learn what generative AI is, how it works, and how it differs from traditional approaches to machine learning. Perfect for creative professionals and technology enthusiasts who want to explore the role of AI in content creation and automation.
As part of the program, learners can explore different types of generative AI models and their practical applications. Additionally, students will be introduced to various Google tools that can help develop generative AI tools. Once completed, you will receive a digital badge that you can share on social networks.
IBM SkillsBuild: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
This online, self-paced course provides a comprehensive understanding of AI concepts. This course spans machine learning, natural language processing, and ethical considerations in AI. Students engage with interactive content and hands-on exercises to deepen their understanding. Upon completion, students will receive an IBM-branded digital badge that can be shared on LinkedIn and other networking platforms. This course is perfect for students, professionals, and educators who want to understand the basics of AI and real-world use cases.
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Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn
This beginner’s course is brought to you by Microsoft and LinkedIn. This microlearning course is designed to help professionals learn the basics of AI. This course is 5 hours and 43 minutes long and covers topics such as What is Generative AI?, Generative AI: The Evolution of Thoughtful Online Search, Streamlining Work with Microsoft Copilot, Learning Microsoft 365 Copilot for Work, Ethics in the Age of Generative AI, and Introduction to AI. Upon completion, learners receive a shareable certificate.
Overview of neural networks and deep learning
Edtech platform Great Learning’s courses are beginner-friendly programs designed to provide a basic understanding of AI neural networks and their applications in deep learning. Learners will be able to understand key concepts such as perceptrons, activation functions, and neural network architecture. Towards the end of the course, participants will have a clear understanding of how neural networks work and their importance to AI. This course also provides a shareable certificate upon completion.
These are just a few, there are many more courses available and we will continue to update you on the same. It’s important to understand that to stay relevant, you need to adapt, learn, and grow with AI.
