In today’s age, having a grasp of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is beneficial and necessary. Whether you’re a student, a business owner, or an experienced professional, acquiring skills in AI can open doors to opportunities to boost your career prospects and change the way you tackle challenges.
So, what is AI? At its core, AI is a field of computer science that aims to develop machines that emulate intelligence in tasks such as understanding speech, learning from data, making plans, and solving problems. It’s a technology that’s reshaping our world in ways we could only imagine some time ago.
Consider the example of ChatGPT, a cutting-edge language model created by OpenAI. This AI system generates text that resembles writing by predicting the word in a sentence. It’s sophisticated and innovative. It finds applications in areas like composing emails, coding software, crafting written content, and even producing poetry!
AI is everywhere – in our homes, workplaces, and smartphones. It drives progress in sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment. Whether you’re looking to create an AI application, leverage AI tools for business growth, or keep up in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, having a solid grasp of AI is essential.
The great news? There’s no time than now to start learning.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a selection of the 8 popular artificial intelligence courses that will enhance your skills in 2024. These courses cater to individuals at all proficiency levels, from beginners to experts, providing current content that will empower you to excel in AI. Let’s get started!
Top 8 courses at a glance
| Course | Duration | Learning Outcomes |
| Best for Beginners | ||
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 8 hours | Learn AI concepts, Understand Common Terms, AI Ethics, Future of AI |
| AI For Everyone Course (by Andrew Ng) | 6 hours | Understanding What is AI, Building AI Projects, Building AI in your company, AI and Society |
| Top Rated AI Courses for Business Owners | ||
| AI For Business Specialization | 1 month at 10 hours per week | 4 courses involving AI Fundamentals, Applications in Marketing & Finance, Applications in People Management and AI Strategy & Governance |
| Introduction to Generative AI | 1 hour | Quick intro by Google on Gen AI, How it is used, and which Google tools to use to create your own Gen AI apps. |
| Best for Intermediates | ||
| Deep Learning Specialization (by Andrew Ng) | 3 months at 10 hours per week | 5 in-depth courses covering Deep Neural Networks, Parameter Optimization and Tuning, Structuring Projects, Computer Vision & CNNs, and Sequence Models |
| IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate | 3 months at 10 hours per week | 7 in-depth courses covering Gen AI and its Applications, Prompt Engineering, Building Chatbots, and Deploying AI Applications |
| Best for Experts Looking to Learn More | ||
| Machine Learning Engineering for Production (MLOps) Specialization | 2 months at 10 hours per week | 4 courses covering Intro to ML in Production, ML Data Lifecycles, ML Data Pipelines, and ML Model Deployment |
| Generative AI with Large Language Models | 3 weeks at 5 hours per week | Generative AI use cases, Optimization of LLMs, Reinforcement Learning, and LLM-powered Applications |
Best for Beginners
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (IBM)
IBM’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course is one of the best artificial intelligence courses designed to give beginners an understanding of AI. The program simplifies AI concepts into modules that discuss topics ranging from fundamental principles to real-world applications and ethical considerations.
Delivered by industry experts at IBM, the course offers practical insights into how AI is influencing diverse industries, including healthcare and finance. Additionally, learners benefit from the expertise of a player in the AI industry.
No prior knowledge and/or prerequisites are necessary to enroll in this course, making it accessible to anyone in AI. Upon finishing the course, participants receive a certificate that validates their acquired skills.
In essence, IBM’s Introduction to AI course on Coursera lays the groundwork for individuals embarking on their AI journey, positioning it as one of the best AI courses for newcomers. It serves as a starting point for those seeking to delve into online learning opportunities related to AI and explore career paths in this dynamic field.
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (based on 11,027 ratings)
Duration: Approximately 4 weeks to complete (assuming 2-3 hours per week)
Pre-requisites: This course is designed for beginners with no prior knowledge of AI required.
AI For Everyone Course (DeepLearning.ai)
AI For Everyone is a course available on Coursera that aims to provide a non-technical overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Created by the well-known AI expert Andrew Ng, it is ideal for individuals interested in grasping AI concepts and their practical applications without getting into the intricacies.
The course delves into subjects such as machine learning, deep learning, and data science. It also discusses AI’s impact and offers insights into navigating the future influenced by AI.
What makes this course stand out is its emphasis on practical understanding of key concepts. It assists learners in understanding how AI, machine learning, and data science can be used to address real-world challenges. Additionally, the course offers guidance on developing an AI strategy, making it particularly valuable for professionals and industry leaders.
Upon finishing the course, participants receive a certificate validating their acquired knowledge in AI.
AI for Everyone is an excellent course for individuals seeking to grasp fundamental concepts about AI and its implications without requiring a technical background. Its inclusive yet straightforward approach ensures that AI becomes accessible to all learners.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (based on 11,376 ratings)
Duration: Approximately 4 weeks to complete (assuming 3-4 hours per week)
Pre-requisites: This course is intended for everyone, regardless of technical skills.
Top Rated AI Courses for Business Owners
AI For Business Specialization (University of Pennsylvania)
The Wharton Schools AI for Business Specialization is a program tailored to equip business professionals with the knowledge of how Artificial Intelligence can be utilized in a business environment.
This specialized four-course program delves into aspects such as AI’s role in business operations, machine learning, robotic process automation, and natural language processing. Its primary objective is to guide learners in integrating AI practices within their organizations and spot avenues for AI-driven solutions.
What makes this course unique is its emphasis on applications. It includes real-world case studies and hands-on examples showcasing how AI can address business challenges. The specialization culminates in a capstone project where participants devise an AI strategy for either a world or hypothetical business scenario.
This specialization, led by professors from the Wharton School, provides perspectives on the dynamic field of AI through a business lens.
Upon completion, learners earn a certificate recognizing their proficiency in applying AI concepts within the business domain.
The AI for Business Specialization will serve as a fantastic resource for professionals who want to grasp and implement AI technologies within their industry.
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (based on 89 ratings)
Duration: Approximately 5 months to complete (assuming 3 hours per week)
Pre-requisites: This specialization is designed for both business leaders and practitioners. No specific prerequisites are mentioned, making it accessible for anyone aiming to learn artificial intelligence.
Introduction to Generative AI (Google)
The Introduction to Generative AI course, offered by Google Cloud on Coursera, serves as a beginner microlearning opportunity that delves into the field of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). It aims to elucidate the essence of Generative AI, its mechanisms, and its distinctions from machine learning approaches.
Geared towards novices in the AI domain, this course covers the principles of Generative AI by exploring model types and practical applications. Additionally, it introduces learners to Google Tools that can facilitate the development of their Generative AI projects.
An outstanding aspect of this course is its emphasis on hands-on learning via project implementation. Through a blend of video tutorials, reading materials, and quizzes, participants can reinforce their comprehension acquired during the course and grasp many AI and machine learning algorithms. This interactive methodology enables learners to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, enhancing its relevance in AI training programs.
Conducted by experts affiliated with Google Cloud, this course offers industry insights into the AI landscape. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate that can be added to their profiles on platforms such as LinkedIn or be included in their resumes.
This course is an excellent starting point for newcomers looking to grasp the fundamentals of Generative AI and how it can be applied in real-world scenarios.
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (based on 3225 ratings)
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Pre-requisites: An introductory course with no specific prerequisites are mentioned.
Best for Intermediates
Deep Learning Specialization (DeepLearning.ai)
The Deep Learning Specialization, available on Coursera and taught by renowned AI expert Andrew Ng from deeplearning.ai, is a hands-on course intended to equip students with the skills needed for success in the realm of Artificial Intelligence.
This series of five online courses covers a range of topics, such as artificial neural networks, deep learning, structuring machine learning projects, convolutional neural networks, and sequence models. The curriculum is carefully crafted to offer a balance between knowledge and practical application, enabling learners to grasp intricate concepts and implement AI tools using Python.
A notable feature of this specialization is its approach. Each course incorporates programming tasks and quizzes that empower students to put their knowledge into practice and reinforce their comprehension. The specialization concludes with a capstone project where students can showcase their abilities.
The courses are led by Andrew Ng, a co-founder of Coursera and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University who brings his wealth of experience and expertise into the course material.
Upon completion, participants earn a certificate recognizing their expertise in learning, marking it as one of the best AI courses for 2024.
The Deep Learning Specialization serves as an asset for individuals seeking to explore the depths of AI and acquire practical expertise in Deep Learning.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (based on 98,315 ratings)
Duration: Approximately 4 months to complete (assuming 11 hours per week)
Pre-requisites: This course is designed for learners with a basic understanding of machine learning and intermediate-level Python programming skills.
IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate (IBM)
IBM’s Applied AI Professional Certificate is an immersive artificial intelligence course certification that aims to equip participants with a grasp of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its practical applications.
This certification comprises six courses and covers a range of topics such as AI fundamentals, deep learning, and reinforcement learning. It also familiarizes learners with IBM Watson AI services and IBM Cloud, guiding them in creating AI-powered applications using these platforms.
One notable aspect of this certification is its emphasis on hands-on learning to implement AI solutions. Each course includes labs and assignments to help learners apply their knowledge and enhance their skills. The program culminates in a capstone project where participants can develop their AI application using IBM Watson technology.
Taught by professionals from IBM, the courses offer industry insights into the dynamic realm of AI.
Upon completion of the certificate program, participants receive a certificate from Coursera along with a digital badge from IBM recognizing their expertise in applied AI.
The Applied AI Professional Certificate is a great course for individuals looking to acquire practical AI skills and learn how to use them in real-world settings.
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (based on 2,859 ratings)
Duration: Approximately 6 months to complete (assuming 3 hours per week)
Pre-requisites: This course is designed for beginners, so no prior knowledge of AI is required. However, basic computer skills and an understanding of a programming language like Python can be beneficial.
Best for Experts Looking to Learn More
Machine Learning Engineering for Production (MLOps) Specialization (DeepLearning.ai)
The Machine Learning Engineering for Production (MLOps) Specialization, offered by deeplearning.ai on Coursera, is a course designed for individuals interested in putting into practice and managing machine learning models within real-world production systems.
This series of four courses delve into topics such as the fundamentals of machine learning operations, machine learning data life cycle, how to deploy machine learning models, and how to maintain and monitor these models in production.
A standout feature of this specialization is its emphasis on a direct and practical approach. Through engaging labs and assignments, learners can apply their knowledge in various situations. The culmination of the program is a capstone project that allows participants to develop a machine learning system from data collection to deployment.
Expert instructors from deeplearning.ai lead the courses, offering insights into industry practices.
Upon finishing the specialization, participants earn a certificate as proof of their expertise in machine learning engineering for production-like environments.
This specialization serves as an excellent opportunity for those seeking skills in implementing and managing machine learning models within production settings.
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (based on 348 ratings)
Duration: Approximately 4 months to complete (assuming 5 hours per week)
Pre-requisites: This course is ideal for learners with a basic understanding of machine learning and intermediate-level Python programming skills.
Generative AI with Large Language Models (AWS and DeepLearning.ai)
The course on Generative AI with Language Models (LLMs) offered by deeplearning.ai on Coursera aims to provide students with a thorough grasp of Generative AI and Language Models.
This course introduces the core principles of Generative AI and LLMs, explaining how these models function, their applications, limitations, and the impact of algorithms on improving AI effectiveness. It covers topics such as an overview of AI, the fundamentals of LLMs, utilizing LLMs for tasks, and the ethical considerations linked to these models.
A notable aspect of this course is its focus on real-world application. Students engage with OpenAIs GPT 3, a leading LLM in use today. They learn how to customize this model for purposes and comprehend the significance of its results.
The instructors for this course are seasoned experts from OpenAI, offering students insights into state-of-the-art technology and advancements in the AI field.
By completing this course, students will enhance their knowledge about Generative AI and LLMs and gain insight into using them to solve problems.
To sum up, the Generative AI with LLMs course is an asset for individuals looking to acquire skills and delve deeper into understanding Generative AI and LLMs, using AI in innovative ways.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (based on 1843 ratings)
Duration: Approximately 10 hours to complete
Pre-requisites: An understanding of machine learning concepts and practical experience with Python programming is recommended.