Top 5 Best Free AI Courses to Enroll in This July 2024

Navigate the Ethical Challenges of Big Data or Create Your Own IBM Watson Chatbot with These Free Courses

Artificial intelligence has become so prevalent over the past three years that even your grandmother has likely heard of ChatGPT and might be using it to tweak her chocolate chip cookie recipe right now.

Industries are increasingly turning to automation to enhance efficiency and justify reducing their workforce. So, what can you do about it? For many, the saying "if you can't beat them, join them" rings true, with employees nationwide seeking free online courses to learn how to leverage AI.

We've compiled a list of the best online AI training courses available for July.

Whether you're a complete beginner or an expert looking to refine your skills, these courses have something for everyone. Best of all, you can sign up, start, and complete any of them in just days or weeks, without spending a dime.

1. AWS: Foundations of Prompt Engineering

⏰Length: 4 hours

Amazon Web Services offers a concise, four-hour course tailored for AI professionals looking to enhance their skills.

The course, titled “Foundations of Prompt Engineering,” focuses on creating effective prompts—the essential instructions generative text AI needs to produce results.

Participants will learn to craft both simple and advanced prompts, understand how to avoid common pitfalls and biases in AI, and explore techniques specific to large language models (LLMs). The full lesson plan, which starts with LLM basics and moves to more advanced strategies, is available online.

Designed for intermediate learners, this course might be too advanced for beginners. If so, consider exploring other options listed below.

2. LinkedIn: What Is Generative AI?

⏰Length: About 1 hour

LinkedIn offers a plethora of free AI e-learning courses, including several introductory-level explainers designed to help beginners understand the basics of Artificial Intelligence, its guiding principles, and its practical applications.

One standout course is “What Is Generative AI?”, a series of quick videos aimed at helping professionals learn to interact with text or image-generating AIs like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. 

With over 1.2 million views, it’s one of LinkedIn’s most popular AI productivity courses, perfect for those who are new to the subject.

To start learning, visit the LinkedIn website. You'll need a LinkedIn Learning account, but the one-month free trial should be ample time to complete the course.

3. LinkedIn: Applying Generative AI as a Business Professional

⏰ Length: 6 hours

Let's be honest: most people searching for a free AI course already have a basic grasp of what AI tools can do and a general idea of how they work. What they need is insight into how AI can specifically benefit them in the workplace.

For this, LinkedIn offers a comprehensive six-hour course, “Applying Generative AI as a Business Professional.” This course delivers on its title, providing strategies to enhance productivity for workers at all levels. You'll explore AI's applications across various business functions, from research and writing to improving communication by summarizing and refining your thoughts.

Start the course now on LinkedIn's platform.

4. IBM: AI Applications With Watson

⏰ Length: 6-12 hours

IBM’s Watson has been making waves long before the current AI boom. In fact, we highlighted four startups using Watson back in 2017. With this course, you'll learn how to develop and deploy cognitive applications specifically using Watson technology.

This course isn’t for beginners. You’ll need a basic understanding of object-oriented programming, familiarity with the command line, experience with Node.js, and knowledge of IBM Watson Assistant. The course takes two to four hours per week over three weeks, making it manageable with just one evening a week. Upon completion, you'll know how to program tools to build queries and extract data from large repositories.

This course is just one example of the wealth of free knowledge available online for those willing to move beyond low-code or no-code solutions. Check it out here, or explore the wide range of IBM courses online to develop other specialized chatbot programming skills.

5. UC Davis: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics

⏰ Length: 12 hours

If configuring Watson directly feels too technical, but you still want an in-depth, intermediate experience, consider the University of California, Davis's course on the ethical questions surrounding the data powering AI.

What opportunities does big data present? What limitations? What case studies highlight AI and ethics? You'll explore these questions and use Natural Language Processing for your own analyses.

This course, available on Coursera, includes a shareable certificate upon completion. After finishing the course and passing five assessment quizzes, you'll have proof of your expertise. At 12 hours long, it offers substantial value for your (free) investment. Check it out now.

Preparing for the AI Revolution

The impact of AI on jobs remains uncertain, despite CEOs banking on it to boost profits. Addressing the substantial energy consumption of AI technology is crucial.

Nevertheless, AI serves as a valuable tool for individuals aiming to enhance productivity, with many accessible generative text options now freely available. Whether aiming to advance in their current roles or transition to new careers, acquiring AI skills can open doors. Already, AI is reshaping educational practices, notably affecting high school English assignments nationwide.

For practical AI insights and advice, explore Tech.co's comprehensive guides, covering everything from effective prompts and AI-powered resume templates to free PDF tools.

However, there are limits—ChatGPT isn't suitable for drafting legal briefs, an idea even the Supreme Court opposes.