The AI machine rumbles on.
This month alone, we’ve borne witness to mass layoffs in favor of automation, a lucrative new deal between OpenAI and Amazon, and the first US bill regulating the usage of AI chatbots.
With all signs indicating that there are no brakes on this particular train, it might be time to start thinking about how best to position yourself to meet the demands of the shifting workplace. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best free AI training courses that you can enroll in today in order to hone your AI chops.
You’ll find a mixture of platforms and specific courses with varying lengths, so you can dive in and start learning at a depth and pace that suits you.
Google Skills
Google recently unveiled a suite of more than 3,000 free AI courses under the umbrella Google Skills. Yes, you read that correctly — more than 3,000!
To get access, head to the new Google Skills website and log in with your existing Google account (if applicable). After that, you should enroll into Google’s Innovators program, which will provision you with 35 free credits per month. These credits can be used to redeem courses.
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For users that are looking for a bit more access, you can also sign up for monthly or annual subscription, with paid plans starting at $29 per month and going up to $49 per month.
So, whether you’re keen to learn more about how to deploy and manage generative AI models, manage Kubernetes in Google Cloud, or derive insights from BigQuery data, there’s truly an AI course to boost any discipline or vertical.
Browse the full catalog at your leisure, and start learning from the best today.
LinkedIn Learning
Another big training vendor that will let you get started for free, LinkedIn Learning can be a really useful resource for employees who are looking to boost their AI skills to stay competitive.
To get free access to a multitude of courses for one month, you’ll need to sign up for the free trial of LinkedIn Premium. Just be mindful that once the free month is up, your membership will revert to the standard monthly fee, currently $29.99 per month.
If you’re determined to avoid spending a dime, fill your boots — there are over 1,500 AI courses to choose from! While we can’t promise that you’ll make it through every single one in one month, there’s definitely enough there to sink your teeth into.
To register for one of these free courses today, head to LinkedIn Learning and register for a free one-month trial.
IBM: AI Fundamentals
⏰ Length: 10 hours
As part of its SkillsBuild initiative, IBM offers some excellent AI training courses to hone your skills with. Comprising six different courses, AI Fundamentals is a particular standout collection. Those courses are Introduction to AI; Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision; Machine Learning and Deep Learning; Run AI Models with IBM Watson Studio; AI Ethics; and Your Future in AI: The Job Landscape.
Like the name suggests, the course will give you a solid foundation in AI. Among other things, participants will get a decent grasp of the history of AI, explain how it comprehends and analyzes human language, and even have a go at creating their own AI models with IBM’s esteemed Watson Studio.
You can enroll for free by heading to this link. You’ll need to register with IBM SkillsBuild first.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that you’ll earn a credential? Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll receive an industry-recognized digital credential, Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals, courtesy of IBM SkillsBuild.
Udemy: ChatGPT in 30 Minutes
⏰ Length: 30 minutes
This free offering from Udemy has a 4.4/5 average rating from 1,796 reviews — and it’s not hard to see why.
With a full title of “ChatGPT in 30 Minutes – NEW Prompt Engineering & AI Skills,” this short course will give you a rundown of the latest prompt engineering techniques, AI vision, and practical skills including how to use AI for data analytics, generating Python, and how to make an MP4 video with ChatGPT. Not bad for 30 minutes of learning.
Headed up by Andrew and Addison Best, two esteemed and experienced experts in AI, the course has everything casual users need to get the most out of ChatGPT. Simply head to this link to enroll for free and start learning.
Harvard University: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
⏰ Length: 7 weeks
Helmed by the creators of CS50, one of the most popular computer science courses in the world, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python is an absolute must for software developers everywhere.
Over the course of 7 weeks, participants will explore the “concepts and algorithms” that make up modern AI. This will include learning about graph search algorithms; reinforcement learning; machine learning; AI principles; designing intelligent systems; and how to use AI in Python programs.
It should go without saying, but this is an intermediate level course aimed at software developers with at least some familiarity with Python as coding language. If you fit that criteria, you can sign up for free, committing 10 to 30 hours of self-paced work per week. You can also pay a one-time fee of $299 to get a verified certificate for your efforts.
Why Are AI Skills So Important in the Modern Workplace?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you’ll have noticed that AI has turned the world on its head since the emergence of ChatGPT in November 2022.
In the years since, businesses have raced to integrate AI models into their everyday processes — sometimes at the cost of creating “AI debt” when these integrations do not run smoothly. At the same time, many companies have pursued a policy of mass layoffs in favor of automation, with Chegg recently making headlines for letting go of nearly half of its workforce.
With many entry-level roles succumbing to automation, and no indication that this trend will let up, workers everywhere face a new challenge: adapt to the shifting sands of the modern workplace or face a fight for survival. In this climate, preparation is absolutely vital — so, I hope this piece gives you some food for thought.
