8 Free AI Courses & Certificates 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly transforming the way we get work done. Perhaps you'd like to boost your AI skills by taking free artificial intelligence courses online. If so, you've come to the right place.

Keep reading as we discuss some top free AI certification courses you can complete online. We'll provide basic information about each course and the platforms offering them while also answering some frequently asked questions you may be wondering about.

Free AI Courses With Certifications

Many different online platforms offer free AI courses for beginning and intermediate learners. These courses can give you a better understanding of AI basics and tools while teaching you in-demand skills. Let's look at some of the top online AI courses you can enroll in for free.

1. AI Governance and Ethics

AI Governance and Ethics is a course available through Alison. It covers the various laws, procedures, and ethical concerns around using artificial intelligence while also touching on cybersecurity by providing basic training on how to protect AI systems from data breaches.

The course takes about three to four hours to complete, and students have the option to purchase an official certificate if they pass each course assessment with a score of 80% or higher. This is a great program for beginners, as it does not require any prerequisites.

2. AI for Everyone

Andrew Ng from Deeplearning.AI provides this beginner-level course through Coursera. Students can enroll in the course for free and complete all four modules within about six hours of self-paced study, earning an optional career certificate in the process.

The course provides a basic introduction to artificial intelligence. Students learn the meanings of basic terms like neural networks and machine learning, what AI can and cannot do, and how to navigate the ethical challenges of using AI.

3. Introduction to Generative AI

Generative AI (GenAI) is a specific form of artificial intelligence in which the model generates new content based on natural language processing. This introductory course, available through Google, covers how generative AI is used and how it differs from other types of machine learning.

There is no cost to take the course, which includes both a video and reading material and takes about 45 minutes to complete. Upon passing the quiz at the end of the course, students receive a course completion badge.

4. Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals: Generative AI

Microsoft offers this course as part of a series that can lead to a professional certificate. This beginner-level course teaches concepts and considerations of responsible generative AI use and teaches students to create an AI agent through Azure AI Foundry.

Students enrolling in this course should be familiar with Azure and the Azure portal, but no other prerequisites are necessary. The course consists of four modules and takes about three to four hours to complete.

5. Generative AI for Businesses

This introductory course from Alison teaches generative AI foundations and applies them specifically to business uses. Students learn about what generative AI is; how it can be used to increase efficiency, production, and workflow; and the ethical considerations that business owners should be aware of.

Students can complete the course in three hours or less and purchase an optional certificate upon passing the course assessment. This is a great course for those working in business, education, healthcare, and other fields that may benefit from the use of generative AI tools.

6. Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT

Vanderbilt University offers this free course through Coursera. The course can be completed on its own or as part of several specializations available on Coursera. It takes about 18 hours to complete and is divided into six modules for organized learning.

The course focuses on helping students learn how to write effective prompts when using AI. It teaches what these prompts are and how to improve their functionality to get the most out of AI use. Students can earn an optional certificate upon completing this course.

7. Google AI Essentials

Google provides this beginner-level course through Coursera. It is divided into five modules and takes about seven hours to complete, ultimately leading to an optional certificate.

The course is designed for those who have zero experience with AI, so you don't need to know how to use algorithms or write code with Python. Instead, the course teaches students how to AI tools in the real world to create content, research and organize information, write prompts, and more.

8. Generative AI for Everyone

This is another beginner-level Coursera course by Andrew Ng. It provides about five hours worth of training in generative AI for the general public, covering topics like what genAI is and its potential risks and opportunities.

The free course is broken down into three modules that help students learn about using generative AI for business and personal use as well as how to create genAI projects. An optional professional certificate is available at the end of the course.

Courses for AI Tools: Machine Learning and Generative AI

All of the courses featured above teach learners how to use AI tools in the real world. But what exactly are we talking about when we say ''AI tools''?

AI tools are the systems, platforms, and programs with AI capabilities. These tools have been programmed to respond intelligently to specific prompts, potentially increasing efficiency in a wide variety of tasks.

Common AI tools you might learn about in the above training courses include:

• ChatGPT
• TensorFlow
• Adobe Firefly
• Microsoft Copilot
• Runway ML

Learning to use these tools effectively does not require a lot of technical understanding and can greatly increase your productivity in business, education, and personal endeavors. While not every course will cover all of these AI technologies, they will help you develop a better overall sense for using AI tools that can help you regardless of the specific tools you decide to use.

Benefits of Taking AI Courses

There are many benefits of taking AI courses online. These courses teach a variety of AI applications and fundamentals, including in-demand skills that can make you a more desirable candidate for various career paths.

Most online AI and machine learning courses are free or nearly free, enabling you to gain new skills without paying for an expensive college education. What's more, the courses are often self-paced or highly flexible, allowing you to study on a schedule that works for you.

Finally, AI courses tend to focus on practical applications, helping students learn artificial intelligence processes without having to have a deep technical understanding or computer science background. This makes these courses highly accessible to the general public, helping them upskill and adjust to a world that is rapidly changing because of AI.

FAQs About Courses Covering AI Concepts

If you still have questions about learning AI through free online courses, you're not alone. Keep reading as we answer some common questions you may be curious about.

What Is the Best Certification To Get for AI?

There is no one online course or certification in AI that is considered ''the best.'' All of the courses outlined in this article provide high-quality training and skills in different aspects of AI, and they are all offered through respectable providers such as Google, Microsoft, and Coursera.

Is the Microsoft AI Certification Free?

The free Microsoft Azure AI course discussed above is part of a larger series of courses that can lead to certification. While the courses included in the series are free, the certification is not. Learners must apply to complete the certification exam through Microsoft, and the exam fee costs $99.

Where Can I Find Free Online AI Courses With Certificates?

There are various online sources that provide courses and certificates in AI topics. Some of these platforms are more dependable than others. Some of the best places online to find free online AI courses and certifications include Coursera, Alison, Google, and Microsoft. Note that, while the courses are typically free, you may have to pay a nominal fee for a certificate at the end of some of the courses.

Explore AI Training Programs

If you're interested in learning more about AI certificates and degree programs, explore the resources here on Learn.org. Reach out to the schools listed to learn more about degrees in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics, and other related fields to take your education to the next level.