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AI Foundations

The on-ramp. These courses explain machine learning, generative AI, and today's tools in plain language. Ideal for professionals, students, and anyone who wants to be AI-literate before deciding whether to go deeper.

12 courses10 free1 free to audit1 paid · up to $49
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Sorted cheapest first. Click a column header to re-sort. Everyone — no technical background needed.

Prices and free tiers change often. Everything here was checked in November 2026; confirm the current price on the provider's page before enrolling. Many Coursera and edX courses can be audited free, with payment only for the certificate.
Course Level Duration Price Certificate
Anthropic, with University College Cork and Ringling College · Anthropic Academy
beginner Self-paced (4 modules) Free
Yes Visit
OpenAI · OpenAI Academy
beginner ~70 minutes Free
Yes Visit
OpenAI · OpenAI Academy
intermediate ~80 minutes Free
Yes Visit
Microsoft · GitHub
beginner 12 weeks (24 lessons) Free
No Visit
Microsoft and LinkedIn · LinkedIn Learning
beginner ~4-6 hours (5 courses) Free
Yes Visit
Anthropic · Anthropic Academy
beginner Self-paced (5 sections) Free
Yes Visit
Harvard University · edX
intermediate 7 weeks, self-paced Free
Yes Visit
University of Helsinki and MinnaLearn · University of Helsinki
beginner ~30 hours, self-paced Free
Yes Visit
Google
beginner ~2 hours Free
Yes Visit
OpenAI · OpenAI Academy
beginner 60-90 minutes per course, self-paced Free
Yes Visit
DeepLearning.AI · Coursera
beginner ~7 hours (4 modules) Free to audit
Free to audit · ~$49
Yes Visit
Google · Coursera
beginner Under 10 hours, self-paced Paid
$49/mo
Yes Visit

10Free

No payment required. Several of these are complete university courses.

Anthropic, with University College Cork and Ringling College·Anthropic Academy
Free

AI Fluency: Framework & Foundations

Anthropic's 4D framework (Delegation, Description, Discernment, Diligence) for working with AI effectively, efficiently, ethically and safely, developed with professors Joseph Feller (University College Cork) and Rick Dakan (Ringling College). For anyone from first-time users to experienced practitioners who wants a tool-agnostic way to decide what to hand to AI and how to check its work.

beginner Self-paced (4 modules) Certificate
OpenAI·OpenAI Academy
Free

AI Foundations

OpenAI's entry course on how AI and large language models work, built around improving one real task you do regularly with clear instructions, context, output review and responsible use. For people new to AI at work who want the first step of OpenAI's Apply AI at Work track, with no technical background needed.

beginner ~70 minutes Certificate
OpenAI·OpenAI Academy
Free

Applied AI Foundations

Pick a workflow you perform regularly, break it into steps, identify where ChatGPT can help, and build a practical plan with review points built in. For people who already use AI for one-off tasks and want to apply it consistently; OpenAI recommends AI Foundations first.

intermediate ~80 minutes Certificate
Microsoft·GitHub
Free

Artificial Intelligence for Beginners - A Curriculum

A 24-lesson open curriculum from Microsoft covering symbolic AI, neural networks, computer vision, NLP, and AI ethics with labs in TensorFlow and PyTorch. Suited to learners with some Python who want a structured, semester-style tour of AI fundamentals for free.

beginner 12 weeks (24 lessons)
Microsoft and LinkedIn·LinkedIn Learning
Free

Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn

A short learning path introducing generative AI concepts, ethical considerations, and tools like Microsoft Copilot, ending with a Microsoft-branded professional certificate. A quick, free credential for job seekers and office workers who want generative AI on their LinkedIn profile.

beginner ~4-6 hours (5 courses) Certificate
Anthropic·Anthropic Academy
Free

Claude 101

A practical tour of using Claude at work: first conversations, getting better results, Projects, Artifacts, Skills, connecting tools, enterprise search and Research, plus use cases by role. A good first course for anyone whose team has adopted Claude and who wants a vendor-made orientation with a certificate.

beginner Self-paced (5 sections) Certificate
Harvard University·edX
Free

CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

Harvard's project-driven course on the algorithms behind AI: graph search, knowledge, uncertainty, optimization, machine learning, neural networks, and language models, each with a hands-on Python project. For programmers with Python experience who want rigorous fundamentals and a Harvard-backed free certificate.

intermediate 7 weeks, self-paced Certificate
University of Helsinki and MinnaLearn·University of Helsinki
Free

Elements of AI: Introduction to AI

A non-technical introduction to what AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how it affects society, built by the University of Helsinki and taken by over a million learners. Take it if you want a trustworthy, university-backed AI literacy foundation with zero math or coding required.

beginner ~30 hours, self-paced Certificate
Google
Free

Generative AI for Educators with Gemini

A two-hour course from Google showing middle and high school teachers how to use Gemini to save time on planning, differentiate instruction, and teach AI responsibly. Take it if you teach and want a fast, free, classroom-focused start with a PD-eligible certificate.

beginner ~2 hours Certificate
OpenAI·OpenAI Academy
Free

OpenAI Academy

OpenAI's free course tracks: Apply AI at Work (foundations, applied workflows, agents), Build with AI (Codex and the OpenAI API), Lead AI Adoption, and Teach and Learn with AI. A vendor-direct option for anyone who wants to learn ChatGPT, Codex, and agent workflows from OpenAI itself.

beginner 60-90 minutes per course, self-paced Certificate

1Free to audit · pay for the certificate

Watch everything free; pay only if you want graded assignments and a credential.

DeepLearning.AI·Coursera
Free to audit

AI For Everyone

Andrew Ng explains AI terminology, what AI can realistically do, how to spot AI opportunities in your organization, and how to work with AI teams. Ideal for managers, executives, and non-engineers who need to talk about AI credibly without writing code.

beginner ~7 hours (4 modules) Certificate
Free to audit · ~$49 Visit course

1Paid & premium

Structured programs with instructors, cohorts, projects or formal credentials.

Google·Coursera
Paid

Google AI Essentials Specialization

Google's five-course series teaches practical use of generative AI tools at work: prompting, evaluating outputs, and using AI responsibly. Good for professionals in any role who want a recognizable Google certificate in under ten hours.

beginner Under 10 hours, self-paced Certificate
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