Top 3 free online AI courses to get started with Career in AI

From arts to science, and sports to management, AI has found its application almost everywhere. Businesses from all industries are leveraging AI technology to make their business operations more efficient, streamlined, and error-free. Currently, 37% of all businesses and organizations employ AI and by 2030 the AI market size will be a humongous $15.7 Trillion. The best part is AI will be generating more than 97 million jobs by 2025. It is the perfect time for students and professionals who are looking to start their AI careers.

Since the AI market is becoming highly competitive, earning an artificial intelligence certification will not only help you acquire the required skills, knowledge, and expertise in the field but can also help you get a job in this rapidly growing field. If you are confused about whether it will be right to invest in costly AI certifications, then you can try your hands on these free online AI courses and then get certified later.

Top 3 free online Artificial Intelligence Courses

1. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence – Stanford University

Stanford University offers several online courses related to Artificial Intelligence on its website. One of their most popular free AI courses is called "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence" and is available through the edX platform.

The course provides an introduction to AI and covers topics such as search algorithms, logic, machine learning, and natural language processing. It also includes hands-on programming assignments using the Python programming language.

Special features of the free online course:

• It is self-paced and estimated to take around 60-70 hours to complete.

• Students can audit the course for free, which gives access to all course materials

The course does not provide a certificate of completion. However, students can choose to pay a fee if they wish to receive an artificial intelligence certification from Stanford University.

In addition to the introductory AI course, the university offers other AI-related courses that cover more advanced topics, such as deep learning and reinforcement learning.

2. Machine Learning Crash Course – Google

The Google Machine Learning Crash Course is a free, self-paced course designed to help beginners learn the basics of machine learning. It covers key concepts such as supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, TensorFlow, feature engineering, and more. The course is intended for those with little to no prior experience in machine learning or coding.

The course includes interactive visualizations and coding exercises that allow learners to apply what they've learned practically. There are also quizzes and assessments to help learners track their progress and reinforce their understanding of the material.

Features of the course:

• It is designed to take about 15 hours to complete

• learners can work at their own pace

• No AI certification is provided after completion of the course

3. Azure AI Fundamentals – Microsoft

This free online AI course is designed by Microsoft, especially for beginners who want to learn the basics of AI and ML. The course covers the following topics:

• Fundamentals of AI

• Machine learning

• Computer vision

• Natural language processing

• Conversational AI

The course is designed to take about 8 hours to complete, and learners can earn a free artificial intelligence certification upon completion. The certification is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in AI and machine learning to potential employers or clients.

Consider Paid Certification programs

While free courses are good enough to learn the basics of AI and ML, it is always recommended that students should opt for paid certification programs. Free courses and certifications on AI come with several limitations such as:

• Limited course content

• Lack of instructor interaction or support

• Lack of hands-on experience

• Unstructured course lessons

• Overemphasis on theory

• Limited access to useful resources, etc.

The best AI certification courses are well structured, covering the latest trends and technology, and also provide real-world application of the knowledge. Paid courses are also credible and therefore chances of selection of a certified artificial intelligence scientist will be more than a normal student who has learned via free courses.

Conclusion

While free online courses and certifications on AI can be a great way to learn the basics of AI and machine learning, they do have some limitations and disadvantages. For someone opting to make a career in AI, the above-listed free courses can be a great help. Apart from these, there are many other free courses available on AI offered by other reputable institutes. Since these come with limitations, a student dedicated to establishing himself in a successful AI career must choose a paid and best AI certification course. By doing so, they can learn the important concepts in depth, get real-world applications and projects, get to network with peers in the same field as well as increase their chances of landing a high-paying job. So, start now.