11 FREE AI Courses with Certificates

Save this list of free AI courses that optionally include certificates

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Stop paying for AI courses!

I found 11 free AI courses that give you certificates. HOWEVER, some certificates require payment under $100.

These are from Google, IBM, top universities, and trusted platforms, so you can add them to Linkedin and resume.

I’ll tell you which ones teach real AI skills, which ones are beginner friendly, and which ones help your career.

Stay to the end, I’ll give you the exact order to take them so you don’t waste your time.

I curated this list because I’m frequently asked about AI courses that offer certifications upon completion. But I’ve specifically avoided certificates that cost more than $100.

I personally DO NOT believe certificates help your resume stand out that much, especially when compared to: building projects, launching them, and cultivating a personal brand.

But I’m still supportive of free courses and resources because I recognize many folks prefer structured learning paths.

Here’s the list, sorted by Free certificates → Paid certificates:

1. IBM AI for Everyone: Master the Basics

This is a 4-week beginner-friendly course introducing AI concepts, apps, and ethical issues without requiring technical background. Learn about AI, machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks, explore generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT), and AI’s impact on work.

You do labs and a final project related to AI in business, while also studying AI governance, ethics, bias, and frameworks for responsible AI adoption.

If you can only do ONE course in this entire list, do this one!

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? Free

• Technical? No

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2. IBM Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals

This technical course has 6 required modules: Introduction to AI, Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Run AI Models with IBM Watson Studio, AI Ethics, and Your Future in AI: The Job Landscape.

Important - this technical course is a few years old, so it covers foundational AI techniques. But it does NOT teach you current gen AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, or Gemini.

It also has optional courses like “Mastering the Art of Prompting”, but they’re not required to earn the certificate.

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? Free

• Technical? Yes

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3. Elements of AI

This is a university-accredited intro course by the University of Helsinki and it’s mildly technical. It’s available in 20+ languages and has 1.8M+ students already. The course has 2 parts:

(1) Introduction to AI which discusses machine learning and neural networks, followed by…

(2) Building AI which involves coding these concepts in Python.

However, this course was created several years ago, so it does NOT dive deep into generative AI (LLMs like ChatGPT).

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? Free

• Technical? Yes

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4. Artificial Intelligence & Career Empowerment

This is for early and mid-career professionals interested in staying up-to-date with AI (read: not falling behind). And it nicely blends AI basics with real-world business applications.

There are 10 modules covering:

(1) AI in Business: AI literacy, AI systems, marketing, organizational change, supply chain, finance, and responsible AI

(2) AI for Careers: consulting, negotiating, and job search

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? Free

• Technical? No

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5. HP - AI for Business Professionals

The short 60—minute course is for working professionals and it compares AI tools, shares practical use cases in marketing, communication, and operations, and provides prompt writing tips. It’s a pretty short surface-level and beginner-friendly course.

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? Free

• Technical? No

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6. AI for Everyone

This non-technical course helps you understand AI fundamentals and spot opportunities to apply AI to problems at work. Taught by one of my favorite AI educators, you’ll see examples of what AI can and cannot do, get comfortable with terminology to use, and how quality data drives AI outputs.

However, this course is also several years old and does NOT dive into deep discussion on generative AI such as ChatGPT.

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? $49

• Technical? No

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7. Generative AI Leader by Google

This is for business leaders and does not require hands-on technical experience. It covers 4 key areas and requires you pass a 90-minute exam with $99 fee:

(1) fundamentals of generative AI (~30%)

(2) Google Cloud’s generative AI offerings (~35%)

(3) techniques to improve model output (~20%)

(4) strategies to successfully deploy generative AI (~15%)

Make sure to click the link to “Generative AI Leader Learning Path” to see the free courses. It dives into applying generative AI for businesses, in particular using tools like Gemini, Notebook LM, and Google AI Studio.

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? $99

• Technical? No

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The next 4 courses are FREE, only if you have a LinkedIn Premium account which includes UNLIMITED access to LinkedIn Learning.

This means paying for Linkedin Premium allows you to earn all 4 certificates below, at ZERO additional cost, plus you can grab certificates from any other LinkedIn Learning courses as well.

Many folks do get access to LinkedIn Premium/Learning via work, so make sure to check with your employer! If you ask nicely, they’ll probably buy it for you :)

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8. Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn

~6 hours of courses on generative AI fundamentals, ethical use, and practical workflow integration. You’ll learn how to use Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity in Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as common challenges in real-world AI deployments.

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? $0 with LinkedIn Premium/Learning

• Technical? No

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9. Human Skills in the Age of AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn

This course helps you improve adaptability, communication, social intelligence, creativity, and decision-making in an AI-driven workplace. It covers adaptability, critical thinking, communication, and creative collaboration with gen AI tools.

The goal is to teach you how to leverage AI by leading with your human judgment and creativity.

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? $0 with LinkedIn Premium/Learning

• Technical? No

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10. AI for Organizational Leaders by Microsoft and LinkedIn

This course trains executives on how to integrate AI into overall business strategy, how to manage ethical risks, and how to build company-wide AI literacy. It includes 6 courses discussing leadership challenges, responsible AI use, strategic AI adoption, innovation management, and team upskilling.

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? $0 with LinkedIn Premium/Learning

• Technical? No

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11. AI for Managers by Microsoft and LinkedIn

This course for managers teaches you how to use generative AI for day-to-day management, coaching, and team development. It has 6 courses on AI-assisted people management, effective career conversations, coaching enhancement, collaborative team culture, critical thinking, and responsible AI use.

• Certificate Included? Yes

• Certificate Cost? $0 with LinkedIn Premium/Learning

• Technical? No

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