Companies across industries—from tech and finance to healthcare and marketing—are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and boost productivity. But here’s the catch: They need people who actually understand how to use it. AI courses can make all the difference.
In their 2025 Future of Jobs Report, the World Economic Forum found that 86% of employers believe AI will drive business transformation. As a result, two-thirds of companies plan to hire talent with AI-specific skills. And a full half of employers globally are rethinking their entire business strategy because of AI’s impact.
AI skills aren’t just for programmers and data scientists anymore. Business analysts, marketers, and even HR professionals are expected to understand and leverage AI tools.
Why you should consider taking an AI course
With AI transforming industries, learning how to use it effectively can give you a competitive edge. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills or future-proof your career, here are some professionals who can benefit from AI courses and why:
- Tech professionals: Software developers, data analysts, and engineers looking to build or integrate AI models
- Business leaders: Executives and managers who need to understand AI’s impact on strategy and decision-making
- Marketers: Those using AI-powered tools for customer insights, automation, personalization, and asset creation.
- Finance professionals: Analysts and investors leveraging AI for risk assessment, fraud detection, and market predictions
- HR and recruiters: Professionals using AI for talent acquisition, performance tracking, and employee engagement
Read this next: How AI Is Already Changing the Way We Work
Free AI courses vs. paid AI courses: When should you invest?
There are dozens of free AI courses online, especially from top tech companies like Google and Microsoft. They’re a great starting point if you want to learn the basics without spending a dime. In other cases, you might want to shell out for deeper insights and learning.
Free AI courses are best for:
- Gaining foundational knowledge of AI and machine learning
- Understanding how AI tools work in different industries
- Exploring AI without making a financial commitment
Paid AI courses might be worth it if:
- You want in-depth, hands-on training with real-world applications
- You need a recognized certification to boost your resume
- You're considering a career transition into AI or data science
If you're just testing the waters, start with a free course. But if you're serious about AI as a career skill, a paid course with structured learning and certification might be the better choice.
Read this next: Understanding the AI Impact on Jobs and What’s Next
11 of the best AI courses to take online
Online courses offer a flexible and accessible way to gain knowledge and skills. Here's a breakdown of some of the best AI courses available online, catering to various levels and interests:
Free AI courses for beginners
1. Elements of AI (University of Helsinki)
The Elements of AI is a series of free online courses that provide a broad understanding of AI concepts, including machine learning and neural networks, without requiring advanced technical skills. It focuses on the practical implications of AI in everyday life.
It's excellent for anyone wanting to demystify AI, understand its potential, and engage in informed discussions about its impact. It’s a great option for individuals with no prior AI knowledge, professionals in non-technical fields, and anyone curious about the fundamentals.
The AI for Marketing course offered by HubSpot Academy is a free resource designed to help businesses enhance their marketing efforts by incorporating artificial intelligence into their strategies. This course explores how AI can elevate content creation and enable personalized customer experiences.
It also provides insights into evaluating AI tools to ensure they’re used ethically and responsibly. Whether you’re a small business owner, marketing professional, or someone simply interested in AI’s role in marketing, this course equips you with the knowledge to optimize your marketing campaigns and improve overall results.
3. Introduction to AI by Intel
The Introduction to AI course is designed for developers, students, or industry professionals interested in understanding AI without the heavy math. It explores the essentials of AI, including its history, key technologies, and role in modern industries like medicine, autonomous driving, and enterprise computing.
Participants will learn about the significance of data in training neural networks and understand the steps in a data science workflow, providing them with a broad overview of AI concepts.
The course also introduces the fundamentals of supervised learning and deep learning, preparing students for more advanced studies in these areas. If you’re interested, Intel also offers complementary courses in Introduction to Machine Learning and Deep Learning.
Paid AI courses for beginners
IBM Introduction to AI is a course offered through the Coursera platform that covers the basics of AI, including its history, applications, and core concepts like machine learning and deep learning. It's designed to provide a foundational understanding of AI principles, helping learners grasp key terminology and concepts.
Beginners seeking a structured learning path, those considering a career in AI, and professionals looking to understand AI's potential in their industry should consider this course.
Pricing: You can take advantage of Coursera's seven-day free trial, but after that, the course costs $49 per month.
AI for Everyone is an online course offered on Coursera that breaks down AI concepts in a way that even non-technical learners can understand. The lessons also explain how AI works, its applications in businesses, and even discuss its impact on our society.
It’s a perfect option for professionals who want to understand AI without diving into coding. It’s also great for managers or entrepreneurs looking to implement AI strategies.
Pricing: You can join the course for free as a listener, but if you want access to the certificate, a $30 payment is required.
The AI for Business Specialization offered by the University of Pennsylvania through Coursera is a comprehensive course designed for business leaders and managers looking to understand AI’s role in various sectors.
The course covers four key modules: AI Fundamentals for Non-Data Scientists, AI Applications in Marketing and Finance, AI Applications in People Management, and AI Strategy and Governance.
The course is taught by professors from the renowned Wharton School, and along the way, participants engage in peer-reviewed assessments to solidify their understanding. Upon completion, they receive a certificate to showcase their new skills.
Pricing: The course is free during Coursera's seven-day free trial—after that, a $79/month subscription is required.
Gen AI courses
Generative AI for Everyone is a course offered by DeepLearning.Ai on Coursera that provides a high-level overview of what Generative AI is, and how it is being used. It discusses many of the current applications of Generative AI and even gives the choice of experimenting with generative AI codes.
It’s a great generative AI course for non-technical professionals and creatives, like marketers, writers, designers, and anyone curious about generative AI.
Pricing: You can join the course for free as a listener, but if you want access to the certificate, a $30 payment is required.
8. Introduction to Generative AI by Google
Introduction to Generative AI is a Google artificial intelligence course online, free with a certificate, that explores the company’s approach to generative AI, offering a deep dive into its core concepts, real-world applications, and hands-on exercises.
Designed for developers, tech enthusiasts, and professionals eager to enhance their AI and cloud computing skills, this Google AI course provides a practical understanding of how generative AI powers innovations across industries.
Learners also gain insights into Google's cutting-edge AI technologies and how they integrate with Google Cloud AI services, making it an excellent choice for those looking to implement AI-driven solutions in their work.
Designed for business leaders and decision-makers, Generative AI for Executives is a foundational course on Amazon Web Services (AWS) that explores how generative AI can drive business value. In just 50 minutes, this course introduces key AI concepts, the strategic considerations behind implementing AI solutions, and the various AWS generative AI services available for different enterprise needs.
Executives and non-technical leaders will learn how to evaluate AI tools, integrate them into business operations, and navigate responsible AI practices. The course covers essential topics like machine learning vs. deep learning, foundation models, prompt engineering, data security, and cost optimization.
It also provides a practical roadmap for organizations to prepare for AI adoption, launch pilot projects, and make informed decisions about AWS AI solutions such as Amazon SageMaker, Amazon Bedrock, and Amazon Q.
AI certification programs
If you’re looking to boost your resume or pivot into an AI career, certification programs can give you the credibility and skills you need.
The AI Engineer Professional Certificate by IBM, available on Coursera, is a comprehensive program that dives deep into the world of AI engineering.
This course covers essential topics such as machine learning, deep learning, and AI deployment. It’s designed to equip you with the skills necessary to pursue a career as an AI engineer. With hands-on projects and a curriculum tailored to industry standards, you’ll gain the practical experience required to excel in this rapidly growing field.
This certificate program is ideal for aspiring AI engineers or developers who want to specialize in AI and advance their careers in the tech industry. It’s also perfect for anyone looking to gain a deep understanding of the AI engineering landscape, from theory to practical application. Upon completion, you’ll receive an industry-recognized certification, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
Pricing: You can take advantage of Coursera's seven-day free trial, but after that, the course costs $49 per month.
Harvard University's Professional Certificate in Computer Science for Artificial Intelligence, available through edX, provides an in-depth journey into the world of AI and machine learning. This program equips learners with the programming fundamentals and AI principles needed to solve real-world problems and future-proof their careers.
The course series begins with CS50’s legendary Introduction to Computer Science and progresses into CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python. Through hands-on projects and immersive learning, students explore key topics in AI, such as graph search algorithms, classification, optimization, and reinforcement learning.
Pricing: The course costs approximately $466.
“Can I learn AI in three months?” Setting realistic expectations
Well, yes and no. In three months, you can absolutely grasp AI fundamentals, understand key concepts, and even start applying AI tools in your job. But mastering AI—especially the technical side—requires real practice, which only comes with time.
If you’re a beginner, focus on:
- Learning basic AI concepts like machine learning, neural networks, and data analysis
- Taking an introductory AI course (many are self-paced, so you can move faster or slower)
- Practicing with AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Canva, Midjourney, or AI-driven analytics platforms
If you’re aiming for a career shift into AI development or data science, expect to invest more time—think six months to a year of consistent study and practice.
How to list AI certifications on your resume
When it comes to listing AI certifications on your resume, it's crucial to make them easy to find:
- Place them in a dedicated “Certifications” section, ideally right after your education or work experience.
- Include the name of the certification, the issuing organization (e.g., Coursera, edX, Google), and the date of completion. You can also add a brief description or highlight any relevant skills gained.
Bonus tip: On LinkedIn, list your certifications under the “Licenses & Certifications” section, and don't forget to share the certificate directly if possible. This makes it easy for recruiters to verify your qualifications. A strong LinkedIn profile with AI certifications can significantly increase your visibility in the job market.
For extra guidance, read this next: Exactly When, Where, and How to List Certifications on Your Resume