6 free courses to master Generative AI from Microsoft, Google, Harvard, and more

Generative AI is taking over the world. If you want to learn about the new wave or acquire a new skill, here is a list of some incredible resources.

Students happily taking online AI course on their laptop

All the courses are self-paced and give an overview of generative AI and its potential. (Image: FreePik)

With AI taking over the world, there is a need for professionals and novices to upskill themselves. It is important to know that AI will not be taking away jobs, but a person who knows how to use AI may.

Today, there are millions of resources available on AI making it complex for anyone who wishes to learn more, acquire new skills, or even simply use some of these exciting tools. Worry not, here is a brief catalogue of courses that will not only give you an understanding of the concepts but may also end up offering a new skill to boost your career.

Introduction to Generative AI

This course from Google is aimed at helping people understand the concepts of generative AI, its uses, and how it differs from conventional machine learning methods. According to Google, this is an ‘introductory level microlearning course’ that also covers Google Tools that will help you to create your own Generative AI applications. Upon completing this course, users will get a badge that can be displayed on their profiles. The course materials include videos and documents.

Harvard’s CS50’s Introduction to AI with Python

With this introductory course, users can learn to use machine learning in Python. The course module includes graph search algorithms, reinforcement learning, machine learning, AI principles, how to design intelligent systems, and how to use AI in Python programmes. “CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python explores the concepts and algorithms at the foundation of modern artificial intelligence, diving into the ideas that give rise to technologies like game-playing engines, handwriting recognition, and machine translation,” read the official website. The 7-week long course is described as self-paced and is offered on the edX platform.

Microsoft’s What is Generative AI?

This course from Microsoft offers the basics of generative AI. The topics include an introduction to generative AI, how it works, ways to create your content, various types of models, ethical implications, and future predictions. The course is covered by leading generative AI expert, Pinar Seyhan Demirdag. The 42-minute long course can be accessed on the go. Participants will also earn a shareable certificate which they can download as PDFs and add to their LinkedIn profiles under the Licences and Certificate section.

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Introduction to Responsible AI

This course is offered by Google and essentially gives learners an insight into what responsible AI is, its significance, and how Google is implementing responsible AI in its products. Upon completion, users will earn a badge which they can later display on their profiles. According to Google, the objective of the course is to understand why Google has put AI principles in place, identify the need for responsible AI practice within an organisation, recognise the decisions made in all stages of a project, and recognise organisations that can design AI to fit their business requirements. There are no prerequisites for this course and anyone can join.

Generative AI for everyone

This course is instructed by AI expert and pioneer Dr Andrew Ng who guides participants through how generative AI works and its capabilities. The course structure includes insights on how generative AI can help in everyday tasks, tips on prompt engineering, as well an introduction to advanced uses of AI. The course has been designed for business leaders, professionals, and just about anyone. According to DeepLearning.AI which is hosting the course, the schedule is three weeks of study which is one to two hours every week. For the uninitiated, Dr Andrew NG is the founder of DeepLearning.AI, founder, and CEO of Landing AI, chairman and co-founder of Coursera, and an Adjunct Professor at the Computer Science Department of Stanford University.

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Streamlining your work with Microsoft Bing Chat

The course from Microsoft lets users learn how Bing Chat can do a wide variety of tasks and help streamline workflows, generate ideas, and summarise data. The course is instructed by Jess Straton, who is a technologist and podcaster. Through the course, Straton explains various ways to enhance productivity using Microsoft Bing Chat. “By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to perform robust online searches, generate ideas, compose text, automate your work, fact-check the results, and more,” read the course description. Participants will get a shareable certificate after completion that they can embed on their LinkedIn profiles.

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Just like any other technology in its nascent stage, there is considerable excitement and apprehension. With AI taking over a host of tasks that are routine and mundane, the fears are not unfounded. However, many experts have assured that AI may not solely take away jobs, instead it may create new profiles and revenue streams for professionals and amateurs around the world.

Bijin Jose

Bijin Jose serves as an Assistant Editor at Indian Express Online in New Delhi. A seasoned technology journalist with a diverse portfolio, he brings over a decade of experience in the media industry to his coverage of the evolving digital landscape and emerging technologies. Experience & Career Bijin commenced his journalistic journey in 2013 as a citizen journalist with The Times of India. His career trajectory includes significant tenures at prestigious media organizations including India Today Digital and The Economic Times. This diverse professional background, ranging from legacy print institutions to dynamic digital platforms, culminated in his current leadership role at The Indian Express, where he helps shape the publication's technology narrative. Expertise & Focus Areas Bijin has transitioned from general reporting to a specialized focus on the intersection of technology and humanity. His key areas of expertise include: Artificial Intelligence: deeply tracking developments in AI, providing nuanced perspectives on its ethical,industrial, and societal implications. Tech Commentary: moving beyond product specifications to analyze how technology reshapes daily life. Diverse Reporting Foundation: draws upon a robust background in crime reporting and cultural features to bring a human-centric approach to technical storytelling. Authoritativeness & Trust Bijin’s editorial voice is informed by a strong academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Arts in English from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and a Master of Arts in English Literature. This literary background enables him to deconstruct complex technical jargon into accessible, compelling narratives. His steady progression through India’s top newsrooms underscores his reputation for editorial rigor and reliable journalism. Find all stories by Bijin Jose here ... Read More