Google’s 3,000 Free AI Courses With Certificates
▼ Summary
– Google Skills offers over 3,000 AI courses, many for free, through a new online platform.
– The courses cater to various skill levels, from novices to business professionals and developers.
– Learners receive 35 free monthly credits for hands-on labs and can earn badges, certificates, and certifications.
– Users can access the platform via a Google account, explore courses by level or topic, and track their progress.
– While many courses are free, a Pro subscription at $29 per month provides unlimited access to labs and courses.
For professionals and students eager to build expertise in artificial intelligence, Google has launched a new online learning platform called Google Skills, providing access to more than 3,000 AI courses and hands-on labs. This initiative arrives at a time when demand for AI talent is surging across industries, offering a structured way for individuals at any skill level to gain valuable knowledge and credentials.
The newly introduced Google Skills site centralizes training content from Google Cloud, Google DeepMind, Grow with Google, and Google for Education. Courses span from introductory lessons for complete beginners to advanced modules tailored for business professionals and software developers. This means whether you are exploring AI for the first time or deepening existing technical skills, the platform has relevant material.
Learners can design a personalized educational journey based on their goals. Someone new to the field might begin with Google AI Essentials, while those interested in research can take Google DeepMind’s AI Research Foundations to understand large language models. For busy individuals, short tutorials like the 10-minute AI Boost Bites offer quick, practical insights.
A significant feature of the program is the emphasis on applied learning. Numerous courses include interactive, AI-powered labs where participants can practice coding with tools like Gemini Code Assist. Upon completing courses, users can earn digital badges, certificates, and professional certifications. Progress is tracked within the platform, and achievements can be shared with networks or potential employers.
Getting started is straightforward. Visit the Google Skills website and sign in using a Google account. It’s recommended to join the Google Innovators program, which grants 35 free credits every month to use for enrolling in hands-on labs. After signing up, a personal Dashboard helps manage coursework, track completions, and monitor earned credentials.
The course catalog is easily searchable and can be filtered by difficulty, format, or the type of credential offered. Each course listing includes a summary and estimated completion time. Clicking on a course reveals detailed information and a Start button to begin learning immediately. Beyond single classes, the platform offers structured learning paths, curated sequences of courses and labs focused on specific subjects. One example, “Build and Modernize Applications With Generative AI,” includes 12 activities covering Gemini for developers and deploying generative AI apps on Google Cloud.
It’s important to note the curriculum is built around Google’s own AI ecosystem, so you won’t find training for external tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. However, the concepts and skills taught provide a solid foundation in AI principles applicable in various contexts.
While a large number of courses are available without charge, the hands-on labs generally require credits. Users receive 35 free credits monthly through the Innovators program. If additional lab access is needed, a Pro subscription is available for $29 per month, offering unlimited entry to all courses and labs.
Google describes Google Skills as a central resource for closing the AI skills gap, offering extensive free learning opportunities for everyone from novices to leaders. No previous AI experience is required to get started, making advanced technology education more accessible to a broad audience.
(Source: ZDNET)
