Are you looking for FREE AI Courses For Beginners online but feeling confused about where to start? I know that beginning your AI learning journey can feel overwhelming. There are so many resources out there, and it’s hard to know which ones are worth your time.
I’m Aqsa Zafar, the founder of MLTUT and a Ph.D. scholar working on depression detection using AI. Over the years, I’ve tried and reviewed many AI learning resources. Through my own learning journey and teaching experience, I’ve seen which courses actually help beginners build a strong foundation.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide for you. I’m sharing 5 beginner-friendly AI courses that you can take online — and the best part is, most of them are completely free if you choose the audit option. These courses will help you understand the basics of AI, explore real-world applications, and even get started with useful beginner skills like prompt engineering.
FREE AI Courses For Beginners Online
1. Google’s Introduction to AI
- Duration: About 1 hour
- Cost: Free (audit option)
If you want a simple and clear introduction to AI, this course is a great starting point. Google explains what AI is, how it works, and what it can and cannot do in a way that is easy to follow and not overwhelming.
You will get:
• Short, easy-to-follow videos and readings
• Light quizzes and small activities to check your understanding
• A beginner-friendly overview of machine learning and generative AI
• No coding required with concepts you can understand right away
Best for:
Anyone who is curious about AI but not ready for technical or coding-heavy learning.
2. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Duration: About 10 hours (self-paced)
- Cost: Free (audit option)
If you are ready to go a bit deeper than Google’s course, this is a great choice. It gives you a complete overview of AI along with practical examples so you can see how it works in the real world.
You will learn about:
• Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Generative AI
• Real-world applications in business, healthcare, and content creation
• A mini project that helps you apply what you have learned
I have taken parts of this course myself, and I can say it is a solid foundation builder for anyone starting out. It offers more than just theory and gives you a taste of hands-on learning.
Best for:
Beginners who want to learn by doing and gain a complete introduction to AI.
3. Prompt Engineering Basics
- Duration: About 2 to 4 hours
- Cost: Free (audit option)
If you have ever used ChatGPT or other AI tools, you have probably noticed that the way you write your prompt directly affects the quality of the output. This course shows you how to create prompts that get better, more accurate results.
You will learn:
• How to write clear and effective prompts
• Chain-of-Thought and Tree-of-Thought techniques
• How to prompt for both text and images
• Practical examples you can use in work, learning, or creative projects
Best for:
Anyone who wants to improve results from AI tools in writing, coding, research, or design.
4. AI For Everyone (Andrew Ng)
- Duration: About 6 hours (self-paced)
- Cost: Free (audit option)
If you are not from a technical background, this course is a perfect starting point. Andrew Ng explains AI concepts in plain, everyday language so you can understand them without any coding experience.
You will learn:
• How AI is changing industries and jobs
• How to work effectively with AI teams
• Ethical issues to consider when using AI
• Simple explanations of common technical terms
I have recommended this course to friends in HR, marketing, and business, and they found it extremely valuable for understanding AI’s role in their work.
Best for:
Non-technical professionals who want to understand AI’s impact and use cases without learning to code.
5. Artificial Intelligence (Business Focus)
- Duration: About 6 weeks (self-paced)
- Cost: Free (audit option)
This course takes a business and strategy-focused approach to AI. It is more in-depth and shows you exactly how AI can be used to improve productivity, automate processes, and create a competitive edge.
You will learn:
• How AI boosts productivity and automation
• How companies integrate AI into real workflows
• Ethical practices for using AI in business
• How generative AI can provide a strategic advantage
Best for:
Entrepreneurs, managers, or anyone interested in understanding how AI is transforming businesses from the inside out.
Quick Recap – How to Pick the Right Course
| If you want to… | Start with… |
|---|---|
| Learn the basics of AI quickly and easily | Google’s Introduction to AI |
| Build a strong foundation as a beginner | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence |
| Get better at using AI tools like ChatGPT | Prompt Engineering Basics |
| Understand AI without learning coding | AI For Everyone (Andrew Ng) |
| Learn how AI can help grow a business | Artificial Intelligence (Business Focus) |
How to Take These Courses for Free
You don’t have to pay to learn from these courses. This is how you can join them for free on Coursera:
- Open the course page.
- Click “Start for Free”.
- When the payment page pops up, look for “Preview the course” or “Full course, no certificate”.
- Click that option.
- Start learning right away.
You will get access to all the videos, readings, and assignments. The only thing you won’t get is the certificate, but the learning is exactly the same.
Conclusion
Starting your AI learning journey does not have to be hard or expensive. These FREE AI Courses For Beginners Online are a great way to build your skills step by step. You can start small with a short introduction, or go deeper with courses that include projects and real examples.
The most important thing is to begin. Pick the course that matches your goal, set aside some learning time each week, and stay consistent. Even a few hours a week can make a big difference over time.
I have shared these courses because I know how helpful they can be when you are just starting out. Now it’s your turn to choose one and take the first step.
Happy Learning!
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Thank YOU!
Explore more about Artificial Intelligence.
Thought of the Day…
‘ It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.’
– John Wooden
Written By Aqsa Zafar
Founder of MLTUT, Machine Learning Ph.D. scholar at Dayananda Sagar University. Research on social media depression detection. Create tutorials on ML and data science for diverse applications. Passionate about sharing knowledge through website and social media.