In the world of technology, there is nothing worse than being left behind. Just ask your friend that didn’t get a smartphone until 2020, it’s tough trying to learn something new when everyone else has been using it for years.
Well, the new trend in tech is generative AI technology like ChatGPT, and while many think it could be a passing fad, the reality is that this kind of technology could have far-reaching implications for the world as a whole.
Subsequently, the last thing you want is to fall behind on understanding how it works, which is why we’ve collected some of the best AI courses online that you can get started with in May 2024.
Google AI for Everyone
Length: 8-12 hours
If you want to learn about AI from a company that’s on the cutting edge, the Google AI for Everyone course is likely going to be one of your top choices. Its Gemini platform is one of the top AI chatbots available, and the tech firm is consistently providing valuable insights for customers to learn about AI.
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As for what you’ll learn, the course covers applications of AI, neural networks, machine learning, programming, AI data, and the importance of using AI technology responsibility.
You can get access to this course on edX completely free, although you can paid a bit extra to get a full-on certificate that you can display to further establish yourself as an AI expert on your resume.
Microsoft Transform Your Business with AI
Length: 3 hours
Sticking with big tech firms for your AI course is typically a safe bet, given that these companies are the ones developing the platforms you’re likely going to use. Microsoft is no different, providing lots of advancement over the last few years with its Copilot platform and its partnership with OpenAI.
As you can likely guess from the name, this course from Microsoft is specifically aimed at helping business owners to “improve planning, strategizing, and scaling AI projects.” Even better, you can find courses for specific industries, including healthcare, finance, sustainability, retail, and manufacturing.
This course is available directly from Microsoft, and you can get started almost immediately. The course is admittedly a bit shorter than some options on this list, but you have to get started somewhere, right?
AI For Business Specialization from UPenn
Length: 40 hours
It stands to reason that a reputable university might be the best place to find AI courses that can prepare you for the real world. UPenn is an Ivy League caliber school with a 7% acceptance rate, so you know that it’s offering some of the best education in the world.
Fortunately, the AI for Business Specialization course doesn’t require you to retake the SAT or fill out an application, as it’s a free online course provided by the university. You’ll learn in-demand AI skills, get hands-on experience creating AI projects, and even earn a career certificate from University of Pennsylvania.
The course is long, there is no way around it. But if you’re looking for a truly in-depth learning experience that can get you prepared for the world of AI in a meaningful way, the AI for Business Specialization course is available on Coursera.
LinkedIn Learning: Prompt Engineering
Length: 5 hours
Learning AI just for the fun of it is one thing, but in most cases, you’re probably hoping to learn how to use AI so that you can improve your odds of getting hired for an AI job. Considering LinkedIn is where many people go to find a job, it’s safe to assume that the LinkedIn Learning platform is a good place to start your AI education journey.
The platform has a vast array of learning modules, one of which is Prompt Engineering with LangChain. This course will teach you “how to integrate AI with various systems and gain hands-on experience in building practical application.”
The course is available on the LinkedIn Learning platform, and can provide students with a LinkedIn Certification, which will be added as a badge to their LinkedIn profiles. If you’re a bit intimidated by the length, LinkedIn Learning has a wide range of AI courses available that are under an hour.
AI for Everyone by DeepLearning.AI
Length: 6 hours
Big tech firms are well and good, but sometimes you want to get some information from a more independent source. DeepLearning.AI is an online education platform that focuses on teaching AI to its more than seven million users.
The AI for Everyone course available from DeepLearning.AI is the best place to start, offering a comprehensive beginner guide to the technology. You’ll learn about basic AI vocabulary, how to build AI projects, and more generally what AI can — and cannot — do for your business. Even better, the course is taught by Andrew Ng, the CEO of DeepLearning.AI, so you know you’re getting the best of the best insights.
This course is available on Coursera right now, with more than 1.1 million students enrolled in it already, so it’s safe to assume this is a valuable resource for anyone trying to learn about AI.
Getting Started with AI Learning
New technology can be scary, but AI and its many iterations can be particularly intimidating if you don’t have any experience with it. That’s why taking this first step to learn about how to use AI is so important, whether it’s to improve your business or just understand how it works in general.
Beyond the courses mentioned above, there is a wide range of AI training you can find online that will help you make sense of all of it. Neural networks, machine learning, image generators, AI chatbots, and everything in between can be explained as long as you have the right teacher.
Now get out there and use this newfound AI knowledge to get yourself an AI job, a remote job, or really any kind of job that requires this level of expertise with the world’s new burgeoning technology.
