The world is evolving rapidly, and not adapting is not an option. Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing job markets and businesses. It is not only setting new standards for innovation; it is virtually changing careers. Therefore, if you are a student or working professional, or if you are simply curious about what’s happening around you, knowing the basics of AI is the best way to stay abreast of the changing world.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch in 2022 has changed everything, everyday we can find new AI tools disrupting jobs and automating work. All of this is increasing fears of job displacement. In times like these, upskilling is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
As of today, companies around the world are looking for individuals who can not only understand AI but also apply their knowledge and even collaborate with AI tools to solve problems and drive growth. Learning AI skills is, in a way, future-proofing one’s career, as it is likely to present new opportunities. From healthcare to finance, education, and entertainment, AI is making rapid strides in every sector. For those equipped with AI skills, the time is right to take advantage. In this article, we have listed some of the best AI courses that may help you level up at zero charge.
AI for Everyone by Andrew Ng
Designed By: Andrew Ng, a renowned British-American computer scientist and technology entrepreneur, who was also the co-founder and head of Google Brain, and has also served as the chief AI scientist at Chinese tech giant Baidu.
Modules: This AI course consists of four modules and provides learners a flexible schedule to complete them, it’s a foundational course designed to help understand AI. The modules of this course teach learners what’s AI, building projects with it, building AI tools for businesses etc.
Offered By: This course is offered on Coursera and has a 4.8 rating, with 98 percent of learners reporting that they liked the course. Moreover, learners will also get a shareable certificate that they can add to their LinkedIn profiles.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) by IBM
Modules: It has four modules, namely, introduction and applications of AI; AI concepts, terminology, and application domains; business and career transformation through AI; and issues, concerns, and ethical considerations.
Offered By: This course is offered by IBM on Coursera. Certificates that can be shared on LinkedIn will also be shared.
Benefits: Primarily, students undertaking this course will learn new concepts from industry experts and gain foundational knowledge of subjects and AI tools. Projects will also conducted to provide job-relevant skills.
Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn
Offered By: This beginner-friendly course is offered by Microsoft and LinkedIn. Upon completion, learners will get a shareable certificate.
About Course: This microlearning course has been designed to help professionals learn the fundamentals of AI. The course spans 5 hours and 43 minutes and features topics such as What is generative AI?, Generative AI: The evolution of thoughtful online search, Streamlining your work with Microsoft Copilot, Learning Microsoft 365 Copilot for work, Ethics in the age of generative AI, and Introduction to AI.
Google: Google AI for Anyone
Offered By: The course is being offered through the online education platform edX and is a self-paced course, meaning one can finish it at their own pace.
Prerequisites: According to the platform, as the name suggests, one need not be well-versed in computer science or mathematics or have any background in AI. No programming knowledge is required either. The course will have Laurence Moroney, lead AI advocate at Google, as the instructor.
Modules: Students will get to learn what AI is, how it fits with ML and deep learning, the significance of data, applications of AI, etc.
Introduction to Neural Networks and Deep Learning
Offered By: The course from the edtech platform Great Learning is a programme for beginners The course also offers a shareable certificate upon completion.
Modules: It has been designed to offer a foundational understanding of AI neural networks and their applications in deep learning. Learners will get to understand key concepts like perceptrons, activation functions, architecture of neural networks, etc. Towards the end of the course, participants will get a clear view of how neural networks function and their significance for AI.
Introduction to Generative AI by Google Cloud
About: This is a micro-learning course offering the fundamentals of generative AI in just 45 minutes. It is ideal for creative professionals and tech enthusiasts who want to explore the role of AI in content creation and automation
Modules: It explains what generative AI is, how it operates, and what makes it different from traditional approaches to machine learning. covers different approaches to AI and shows different use cases. It allows students to identify fundamental uses and business benefits of AI.
Generative AI at SAP
Offered By: This course by software giant SAP
About Course: It focuses on how generative AI is redefining businesses within SAP’s ecosystem. This course has been tailored to suit business professionals and offers an in-depth understanding of how to use AI for innovations within organisations
Modules: The course explains some foundational concepts such as large language models along with showcasing real-world applications.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python by Harvard University
Offered By: This is among the most popular free online courses being offered by Harvard University.
Eligibility: One of the prerequisites to access this course is that the learner should have taken Harvard University’s CS50 Introduction to Computer Science course via the edX platform.
About Course: This is a seven-week course that will touch upon AI algorithms, machine translation, handwriting recognition, game-playing engines, etc. Learners are required to commit around 10 to 30 hours per week to complete the course.
Modules: The module includes hands-on projects and lectures by David J. Malan, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science at Harvard University, and Brian Yu, Senior Preceptor in Computer Science at Harvard University.
IBM SkillsBuild: Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals
About Course: This online self-paced course gives a comprehensive understanding of AI concepts. The course spans across machine learning, natural language processing, and ethical considerations in AI.
Module: Students will get to engage with interactive content and practical exercises to enhance their understanding. Once completed, students will get an IBM-branded digital badge which can be shared on LinkedIn and other networking platforms. This course is ideal for students, professionals, and educators who want to grasp the fundamentals of AI and its real-world use cases.
