Supercharge your skills with this exclusive handpicked list of the 30 best free AI courses online. These cover everything from AI basics to deep learning, machine learning, prompt engineering, and AI in the workplace—all from the world’s most trusted platforms.
Unlock your edge in the job market with these expertly curated, 100% free AI and machine learning courses. Perfect for beginners, upskillers, or professionals looking to pivot into AI—no strings attached, no paywall.
Use this list to prepare for the AI-driven job market—faster, smarter, and without spending a dime.
AI Fundamentals
AI For Everyone – Andrew Ng (Coursera)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/ai-for-everyone
Understand how AI works, what it can and can’t do, and how it’s changing industries.
Intro to AI – IBM (Cognitive Class)
https://cognitiveclass.ai/courses/introduction-to-artificial-intelligence
A beginner-friendly course explaining AI, neural networks, and natural language processing.
Elements of AI (University of Helsinki)
https://course.elementsofai.com/
A globally popular series blending theory and practice to teach core AI concepts.
AI Basics for Everyone – edX/Microsoft
https://www.edx.org/course/ai-basics-for-everyone
Non-technical introduction covering AI ethics, applications, and business value.
CrashCourse AI – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNl9-Q2B1tT8P9f29_rC_gC
A fun, visual YouTube series explaining AI fundamentals in plain English.
Machine Learning Mastery
Machine Learning – Andrew Ng (Coursera)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/machine-learning
The iconic course that sparked the global AI revolution. Still a must-take.
Machine Learning with Python – IBM (Coursera)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/machine-learning-with-python
Hands-on ML concepts using Python, including regression, clustering, and SVMs.
Google Machine Learning Crash Course
https://developers.google.com/machine-learning/crash-course
Over 25 interactive lessons with real-world exercises and TensorFlow tutorials.
ML Specialization – DeepLearning.AI
https://www.deeplearning.ai/courses/machine-learning-specialization/
A newly updated series from Andrew Ng with practical applications.
Intro to Machine Learning – Kaggle
https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-machine-learning
Quick hands-on ML projects using real datasets—perfect for beginners.
Deep Learning & Neural Networks
Deep Learning Specialization – DeepLearning.AI
https://www.deeplearning.ai/courses/deep-learning-specialization/
From CNNs to RNNs and sequence models—this series defines deep learning education.
Intro to Deep Learning – MIT
http://introtodeeplearning.com/
Cutting-edge techniques and implementations from MIT’s AI Lab.
Fast.ai Practical Deep Learning
https://course.fast.ai/
High-impact course focused on building models fast and getting results.
Neural Networks and Deep Learning – Coursera
https://www.coursera.org/learn/neural-networks-deep-learning
A gentle but powerful introduction to deep networks and their components.
AI Tools, Prompt Engineering & Automation
Prompt Engineering Guide – LearnPrompting.org
https://www.learnprompting.org/docs/intro
One of the most comprehensive guides to prompt engineering across platforms.
Generative AI for Everyone – DeepLearning.AI
https://www.deeplearning.ai/courses/generative-ai-for-everyone/
Understand how generative models like ChatGPT and DALL·E work under the hood.
ChatGPT Prompt Engineering – DeepLearning.AI
https://www.deeplearning.ai/courses/chatgpt-prompt-engineering-for-developers/
Learn prompt strategies with OpenAI APIs through hands-on code notebooks.
LangChain for LLM Apps – DeepLearning.AI
https://www.deeplearning.ai/courses/langchain-for-llm-application-development/
Use LangChain to build apps with language models—step-by-step and free.
Intro to Conversational AI – Udacity
https://www.udacity.com/course/intro-to-conversational-ai--ud767
Focuses on building chatbot frameworks using Python and NLP.
AI for the Workplace
AI in Business – University of London (Coursera)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/ai-in-business
Practical insights for applying AI in strategic and operational settings.
AI for Work – edX/Google
https://www.edx.org/course/google-ai-essentials
New! Google’s AI Essentials course to master generative tools like Gemini and Bard.
AI & Ethics – Linux Foundation
https://www.edx.org/course/ai-ethics-essential-principles-and-frameworks
Learn ethical principles and regulatory frameworks for AI deployment.
AI in the Workplace – Microsoft
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/ai-business/
Beginner path to learn AI tools in Microsoft Office and Azure ecosystems.
Hands-On & Career-Specific AI Learning
AI For Coders – Harvard CS50AI
https://cs50.harvard.edu/ai/2020/
From search and logic to neural nets and game-playing AI—CS50’s AI version.
AI for Creators – FutureLearn
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/ai-for-creators
Creative industries-focused course on using AI in art, media, and design.
AI for Healthcare – Stanford
https://online.stanford.edu/courses/cs205-ai-healthcare
Introductory lectures on how AI is transforming medicine and diagnostics.
AI for Cybersecurity – edX
https://www.edx.org/course/ai-for-cybersecurity
Explore how AI can detect threats, automate analysis, and protect systems.
Computer Vision – Coursera
https://www.coursera.org/learn/computer-vision
Use deep learning to analyze images and build vision-powered applications.
Build AI-Powered Chatbots – IBM
https://www.coursera.org/projects/build-ai-powered-chatbots-watson
Drag-and-drop course to create real AI chatbots using IBM Watson.
Intro to NLP – Udacity
https://www.udacity.com/course/natural-language-processing-nanodegree--nd892
Learn how machines understand text, speech, and sentiment in real-time.
BONUSES & EXTRAS:
Deep Learning & Neural Networks
Deep Learning Specialization – Coursera (Audit Free)
https://www.coursera.org/specializations/deep-learning
Taught by Andrew Ng. Explore neural nets, CNNs, RNNs, and optimization.
Fast.ai – Practical Deep Learning for Coders
https://course.fast.ai/
Intensive deep learning course with code-first approach. Used in industry.
MIT Deep Learning for Self-Driving Cars
http://selfdrivingcars.mit.edu/
Real-world, project-based deep learning for autonomous systems.
CS50’s Introduction to AI with Python – Harvard
https://cs50.harvard.edu/ai/2020/
Practical projects include Tic-Tac-Toe AI, web search, and language modeling.
PyTorch Fundamentals – Microsoft Learn
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/pytorch-fundamentals/
Learn PyTorch essentials with guided, interactive exercises.
Computer Vision & AI Tools
Intro to Computer Vision – Udacity
https://www.udacity.com/course/introduction-to-computer-vision--ud810
Covers image processing, object detection, and OpenCV.
Build AI Apps with OpenAI API – DeepLearning.AI (Short Course)
https://www.deeplearning.ai/courses/chatgpt-building-systems/
Use ChatGPT and GPT-4 APIs to build real-world apps and agents.
Generative AI for Beginners – Microsoft
https://microsoft.github.io/generative-ai-for-beginners/#/
Simple, guided path to understand genAI tools like DALL·E, Copilot, and more.
Bonus Learning Hubs & Mega Lists
MIT OpenCourseWare – AI
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-034-artificial-intelligence-fall-2010/
Free, downloadable full MIT courses on AI, robotics, and cognition.
DeepLearning.AI – Short Courses Hub
https://www.deeplearning.ai/short-courses/
Dozens of hands-on AI courses from OpenAI tools to prompt engineering.
Coursera Free Courses List (Audit Mode)
https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=free
Search thousands of free university courses (audit without paying).
GitHub – Free AI Courses Archive
https://github.com/Developer-Y/free-Grokking-AI-Courses
Curated list of 100+ free AI learning resources, updated by the community.
Tip: Bookmark this list. All of these are free to access, some offer certificates, and most are self-paced—ideal for professionals, students, and lifelong learners.
Pro Tip: To access paid Coursera/edX/LinkedIn courses for free, look for options like “Audit the course” or “Free Trial.” You won’t get a certificate, but you get full access to learning material.
ENJOY & HAPPY LEARNING!
