Unlock Your AI Career: 10 Game-Changing Free Courses for 2024 and beyond

It’s often difficult to choose from where you should learn AI. On one side plethora of AI learning material is freely available and on other side there are courses available which are horribly expensive. The course we are choosing should not only be affordable but should also carry value. Here is the list of 10 free courses. These courses are not only free but provides you the opportunity to learn from the best.

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence is getting space in organizations with a fast pace like never before. There is huge demand for AI professions who can help organization to realize the full potential of AI. Most of the courses selected are for beginners but a few of them are for working professional who want to upgrade themselves for better opportunities.

let’s start!

1. Google’s Machine Learning Crash Course (with TensorFlow APIs)

If you are looking to learn machine learning this year then learn from the experts. This course is provided by google and explains all ML techniques in details. If you are beginner, this is best course for you.

Link to the course: https://developers.google.com/machine-learning/crash-course

   – Duration: 15 hours

   – Level: Beginner to Intermediate

   – Highlights: TensorFlow programming, real-world case studies

2. Stanford University’s CS229: Machine Learning

This is machine learning specialization course offered by Stanford and Deep Learning, AI that covers AI concepts. This specialization is 3-course program developed by AI visionary Andrew Ng. It covers;

1. Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification
2. Advanced Learning Algorithms
3. Unsupervised Learning: Recommenders and Reinforcement Learning

If you have the patience to learn AI concepts in depth and want to create developer profile in AI then this is for you.

Link to the course: click here

   – Duration: 10 weeks

   – Level: Intermediate

   – Highlights: Comprehensive coverage of ML algorithms, taught by Andrew Ng

3. Fast.ai’s Practical Deep Learning for Coders

This is wonderful course to learn Deep Learning. This course required you to have previous experience in Machine Learning and Programming. This course is freely available on YouTube.

Link to the Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYUBJiXbdtSvpQjSnJJ_PmDQB_VyT5iU

   – Duration: 7 weeks

   – Level: Beginner to Advanced

   – Highlights: Hands-on approach, focus on practical implementation

4. MIT’s Introduction to Deep Learning

This course is most exhaustive deep learning free course available. There are 71 course videos available, that covers everything required to be a deep learning expert.

Link to the Course: http://introtodeeplearning.com/

YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Hkh2zOGQ0&list=PLtBw6njQRU-rwp5__7C0oIVt26ZgjG9NI&index=8

   – Duration: 12 weeks

   – Level: Intermediate to Advance

   – Highlights: Cutting-edge research insights, hands-on projects

5. Microsoft’s AI for Beginners

This is 12-week, 24-lesson curriculum! It includes practical lessons, quizzes, and labs. The curriculum is beginner-friendly and covers tools like TensorFlow and PyTorch, as well as ethics in AI. This course covers all AI concepts and the codes are provide in notebooks on github. The good thing about this course is; it provides code for both deep learning frameworks: PyToch and and Tensorflow. As it is self paced, you need to depend a lot on AI community to get answers of your questions.

Link to the Course: https://microsoft.github.io/AI-For-Beginners/

   – Duration: Self-paced

   – Level: Beginner

   – Highlights: Azure AI integration, comprehensive curriculum

6. Coursera’s AI for Everyone

This is short duration course for those you want to understand about AI in less time, Projects in AI, how to build AI in your company and AI and Society. It does not cover much technical aspect of AI.

Link to the course: click here

   – Duration: 6-8 hours

   – Level: Beginner

   – Highlights: Non-technical introduction, business applications of AI

7. IBM’s Applied AI Professional Certificate

This is professional certificate with 12 course series. It includes Data Science, Data Analysis, SQL, Python, Machine Learning and GenAI. This course is best for students who want to pursue data science career.

Link to the course: click here

   – Duration: 6 months (3-5 hours/week)

   – Level: Beginner to Intermediate

   – Highlights: IBM Watson hands-on experience, industry-recognized certificate

8. Elements of AI by University of Helsinki

This course is like the blog posts where all topics are explained in the form of articles. I don’t see any practical exercises or coding. It provides the theoretical aspect of AI.

Link to the course: https://www.elementsofai.com/

   – Duration: 30-60 hours

   – Level: Beginner

   – Highlights: Ethical considerations, societal impact of AI

9. Google AI’s Intro to TensorFlow for Deep Learning

This certification program was closed on April 30, 2024. Tensorflow developers are most sough-after by consulting organization. Tensoflow website provides a lot of free books, online free course and other stuff for Tensorflow learners.

Link to this course: https://www.tensorflow.org/resources/learn-ml

   – Duration: Self-paced

   – Level: Intermediate

   – Highlights: TensorFlow 2.0, practical deep learning projects

10. Kaggle’s Intro to Machine Learning

Kaggle is one stop shop for all machine learning learners. Kaggle provides tons of opportunities to learn and implement Machine Learning models. It’s one such course is ‘Into to Machine Learning’. If you have basic knowledge of python then I can bet you can start playing with Machine Learning in just 4 hours. It provides codes with explanations that make learner to get the ball rolling quickly. Of course, for deep knowledge you need to refer other sources.

Link to the course: https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-machine-learning

    – Duration: 3 hours

    – Level: Beginner

    – Highlights: Hands-on coding exercises, real-world datasets

 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need prior programming experience for these courses?

While some basic programming knowledge is beneficial, many of these courses cater to beginners. Courses like “AI for Everyone” and “Elements of AI” are designed for those with no technical background.

Q2: Will these free courses really help me launch a career in AI?

Absolutely! These courses provide a solid foundation in AI concepts and practical skills. However, landing a job will also require building a portfolio, networking, and possibly gaining certifications.

Q3: How long will it take to complete all these courses?

If pursued full-time, you could complete these courses in 3-6 months. However, most learners take them alongside other commitments, extending the timeline to 6-12 months.

Q4: Are there any hidden costs associated with these free courses?

While the course content is free, some platforms may charge for certificates of completion. Additionally, you might need to invest in computing resources for more advanced projects like Deep Learning and TensorFlow.

 Key Insights for Aspiring AI Professionals

1. Practical Experience is Crucial: Do not just watch videos – code along and work on projects to build a strong portfolio.

2. Specialize Strategically: After gaining a broad understanding, focus on areas like computer vision, natural language processing, or reinforcement learning based on your interests and market demand.

3. Stay Updated: AI is evolving rapidly. Follow AI research papers, attend webinars, and participate in Kaggle competitions to stay current.

4. Ethical Considerations: As you learn, pay attention to the ethical implications of AI. Courses like “Elements of AI” provide valuable insights into this critical aspect.

5. Network Actively: Join AI communities on platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and LinkedIn to connect with peers and industry professionals.