Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, from healthcare to finance and beyond. As AI adoption grows, so does the demand for skilled professionals. The best part? You don’t need to spend thousands on a degree to gain AI expertise. Several high-quality courses are available for free, covering essential AI concepts, generative models, and machine learning fundamentals.
If you’re looking to get started, here are five free AI courses to help you build your expertise.
1. AI Foundations for Everyone by IBM
Platform: Coursera
Duration: ~8 hours
Best for: Beginners with no prior coding experience
IBM’s AI Foundations course is designed for anyone curious about AI and its applications. It covers essential AI concepts, ethics, and business implications. You’ll learn how AI systems work, including machine learning and deep learning. The course includes quizzes, hands-on exercises, and a certificate upon completion.
👉 Why take this course?
- No prior programming knowledge required
- Covers ethical considerations in AI
- Provides a certificate to showcase on LinkedIn
2. Practical Deep Learning for Coders by fast.ai
Platform: fast.ai
Duration: Self-paced (~7 weeks suggested)
Best for: Developers and programmersThis hands-on deep learning course focuses on practical applications of AI. You’ll train your own neural networks, work with large datasets, and understand real-world AI use cases. Unlike traditional AI courses, fast.ai emphasizes coding first, theory second, making it great for those who prefer a hands-on approach.
👉 Why take this course?
- Learn deep learning without advanced math prerequisites
- Code AI models using PyTorch
- Ideal for developers looking to dive deep into AI.
3. Elements of AI by the University of Helsinki
Platform: University of Helsinki / Online
Duration: ~6 weeks
Best for: Anyone interested in AI conceptsElements of AI is a beginner-friendly course that introduces AI in an accessible way. It covers how AI impacts our daily lives, fundamental machine learning concepts, and ethical considerations. The course is available in multiple languages and has interactive exercises to enhance learning.
👉 Why take this course?
- No coding required
- Globally recognized course
- Covers real-world AI applications
4. Generative AI with Large Language Models by DeepLearning.AI
Platform: Coursera
Duration: ~12 hours
Best for: Those interested in generative AI and LLMsThis course teaches you the fundamentals of generative AI, including how large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT work. You’ll explore prompt engineering, fine-tuning techniques, and ethical AI considerations. Hands-on assignments help you build your own AI-powered applications.
👉 Why take this course?
- Learn from top AI researchers
- Hands-on practice with AI models
- Certificate upon completion.
5. Machine Learning Crash Course by Google
Platform: Google Developers
Duration: ~15 hours
Best for: Beginners interested in machine learningGoogle’s Machine Learning Crash Course provides a fast-paced introduction to ML concepts and TensorFlow basics. It includes coding exercises, real-world examples, and interactive quizzes to solidify your understanding.
👉 Why take this course?
- Covers supervised learning and neural networks
- Provides practical coding exercises
- No prior experience required.
- Final Thoughts
These free AI courses provide a solid foundation to build your expertise, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer. With AI continuing to shape the future, now is the perfect time to start learning. Which course will you start with?