Without any form of AI training, ChatGPT reached over 1 million users after just 5 days of its launch. However, a previous article on how AI is reshaping industries tells us we need a lot more than just knowledge of ChatGPT to succeed in industries such as healthcare, legal, transportation, financial services, cybersecurity, and many others.
Certainly, AI is reshaping the way we work and live. Even if your job does not involve building AI models, an understanding of AI technology – its components and operation, provides lots of leverage for your current and future role. This train of thought is supported by LinkedIn’s future of work report which indicates AI related job posting have grown by 17% since 2023. In essence, the more you know about AI, the more opportunities become available to you, which ultimately results in increased confidence and agility.
Notwithstanding, your goals and needs will help determine the amount and type of AI training to pursue. With so many training and certification programs out there, the challenge is to identify what’s best for your unique circumstance. This article aims to help you do just that. What’s important however is to be honest about your starting point. If you have no prior IT or AI experience, diving straight into an advanced AI training program will discourage you. It’s best to begin with simple foundational knowledge, then progress to complex advanced concepts. Let’s explore the recommended AI training programs blow and how best they might serve your needs.
Google AI Essentials Specialization
Firstly, this self-paced AI Training program is designed to help people across various industries obtain AI skills that will boost their productivity. Google’s aim is to make its technology helpful for everyone, so this program is taught by AI experts at Google and has no prerequisites.
What you’ll learn: You’ll learn how to use AI tools to generate ideas and content. You’ll also use AI tools to help research, organize, and make more informed decisions such as help speed up daily work tasks, how to write effective prompts and use AI responsibly.
Investment: $49 per month
Duration: 10+ hours
Mode of Leaning: Online self-paced on Coursera
Certification Acquired: Google AI Essentials Specialization
AI for Everyone (by DeepLearning.AI)
If you want to become better at using AI, then this is the training program for you. It demystifies what AI can realistically can and cannot do and explains the meaning behind common AI terminology, including neural networks, machine learning, deep learning, and data science.
What you’ll learn: You’ll learn how to spot opportunities to apply AI to problems in your own organization. You will learn what it feels like to build machine learning and data science projects. Furthermore you will learn how to work with an AI team and build an AI strategy in your company.
Investment: Free to enroll
Duration: 7+ hours
Mode of learning: Online self-paced on Coursera
Certification Acquired: Optional ($49)
Stanford Machine Learning Specialization
Equally important is the Stanford Machine Learning Specialization. This is a foundational online program created in collaboration between Stanford Online and DeepLearning.AI. This beginner-friendly program will teach you the fundamentals of machine learning and how to use these techniques to build real-world AI applications.
What you’ll learn: By the end of this Specialization, you will have mastered key concepts and gained the practical know-how to quickly and powerfully apply machine learning to challenging real-world problems. If you’re looking to break into AI or build a career in machine learning, this is the best place to start.
Investment: Free to enroll
Duration: 40+ hours
Mode of Learning: Online self-paced on Coursera
Certification Acquired: Optional ($49)
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) AI Foundations Associate
Again, this AI training program is designed to introduce you to the fundamental concepts of AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Generative AI. It specifically focuses on how these technologies work within Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
What you’ll learn: This program consists of a foundations course, a certification exam, a practice exam, and an exam prep lesson. No prior familiarity with AI/ML required and no coding experience required.
Investment: Free to enroll. Free certification exam.
Duration: 6+ hours
Mode of Learning: online self-paced on mylearn.oracle.com
Certification: (OCI) AI Foundations Associate. The 2025 version of this exam will retire on May 29, 2026.
Ultimately, the most important thing to consider when choosing an AI training program is to ensure it aligns with your career plan. It should aid your present job and help fulfill your future job aspirations. As a non-technology professional, focus on knowledge acquisition. This will deepen your understanding of AI, sharpen your skills and lessen your anxieties.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
It’s a great initiative
Thank you Kabie. We appreciate your feedback!
This is a very insightful and practical guide, especially for non-technical individuals who often feel overwhelmed when starting their AI journey. I really appreciate how you emphasized starting with foundational knowledge before moving to advanced concepts, it’s a crucial point many people overlook.
We have to understand that the breakdown of the different programs also makes it easier to choose based on personal goals and capacity. AI is no longer optional, and articles like this help bridge the gap between awareness and actual skill acquisition. This is very insightful.
Thank you for putting this together, this will definitely help many people take their first confident step into AI.
Thanks for your awesome feedback Samuel. We hope you enjoy other resources on this website as well.
Thanks for putting this together.
I really appreciate this because I have found that sometimes the learning outcomes of some courses are vague and this makes it hard to measure the depths of course content.
You are most welcome.
I think this is really something impressive. In our age the use of AI tools cannot be factored out. Very important. Keep on!
Glad you found it insightful.
Understanding the components and operations of AI gives one the ability to interact with it effectively
That’s spot on Amanda!
This is very informative 👏!!!
Thank you!
This is a timely and informative article, keep up the good work.
Thanks for you feedback Mary. We appreciate it.
Good initiative
Thank you!
This is very helpful. I’ve always wondered how to get better at using AI especially which prompts to use and this has pointed me in the right direction. Great piece.
Hi Leslie, We are glad you this has been helpful to you. You can find other useful resources on this page as well.
My key takeaway :
my choice of AI training program must align with my career plan.
That’s spot on Portia! However, you can start with any of the foundational learning programs and build your way up.