Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most in-demand skills in today’s job market. Whether you’re a student, professional, or entrepreneur, learning AI can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Fortunately, there are many online courses designed for beginners to help them understand AI concepts, machine learning, and deep learning.
In this article, we will explore the top AI courses for beginners, covering both free and paid options from reputed institutions and platforms.
1. AI For Everyone – Coursera (by Andrew Ng, DeepLearning.AI)
Best for: Absolute beginners who want to understand AI without coding
Key Topics: AI fundamentals, applications, ethics, and business use cases
Duration: ~6 hours
Platform: Coursera
This course is beginner-friendly and focuses on AI’s impact across industries rather than technical programming.
2. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence – Udacity
Best for: Beginners looking for an overview of AI concepts
Key Topics: Machine learning, deep learning, robotics, and computer vision
Duration: Self-paced (~4 weeks)
Platform: Udacity
This course provides a broad understanding of AI with practical insights into real-world applications.
3. Machine Learning – Coursera (by Stanford University, Andrew Ng)
Best for: Beginners who want to start with machine learning fundamentals
Key Topics: Supervised learning, unsupervised learning, neural networks, and algorithms
Duration: ~60 hours (Self-paced)
Platform: Coursera
This is one of the most recommended AI courses, providing hands-on Python exercises.
4. Google AI for Beginners – Google AI
Best for: Self-learners looking for free AI training
Key Topics: AI applications, TensorFlow basics, and machine learning models
Duration: Self-paced
Platform: Google AI
Google’s free AI learning resources are perfect for those who want to explore AI at their own pace.
5. Harvard CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python – edX
Best for: Learners with basic Python knowledge
Key Topics: Search algorithms, reinforcement learning, deep learning, and AI ethics
Duration: ~7 weeks (Self-paced)
Platform: edX
This course provides a coding-heavy introduction to AI with real-world applications.
6. Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques – Stanford University (Self-Paced)
Best for: Beginners wanting an academic-level introduction to AI
Key Topics: Knowledge representation, learning, decision-making, and neural networks
Duration: Self-paced
Platform: Stanford Online
Stanford offers one of the best introductory AI courses for learners looking for a university-level education.
7. IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate – Coursera
Best for: Beginners looking for AI certifications
Key Topics: AI foundations, Python for AI, deep learning, and chatbot development
Duration: ~6 months (Self-paced)
Platform: Coursera
IBM’s AI certificate program provides hands-on projects to build real AI applications.
8. Practical Deep Learning for Coders – Fast.ai
Best for: Beginners with basic programming knowledge who want to dive into deep learning
Key Topics: Neural networks, image recognition, and deep learning models
Duration: Self-paced (~7 weeks)
Platform: Fast.ai
This course offers a hands-on approach to deep learning without requiring extensive math knowledge.
9. Artificial Intelligence Foundations: Machine Learning – LinkedIn Learning
Best for: Professionals looking for an introduction to AI for business and technical applications
Key Topics: AI in business, machine learning, and automation
Duration: ~2 hours
Platform: LinkedIn Learning
This short course is ideal for business professionals wanting to understand AI’s impact on industries.
10. Elements of AI – University of Helsinki (Free Course)
Best for: Complete beginners with no technical background
Key Topics: AI ethics, machine learning basics, and real-world applications
Duration: ~6 weeks (Self-paced)
Platform: Elements of AI
This free course is accessible to anyone and provides a non-technical introduction to AI.
Conclusion
Learning AI is now easier than ever with online courses catering to beginners of all backgrounds. Whether you’re looking for an introductory AI course, a hands-on coding experience, or an AI certification, these courses offer the perfect starting point.
Which AI course are you planning to take? Let us know in the comments.
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