Top Free AI Courses & Certifications for 2025 (Tested & Reviewed)
▼ Summary
– The author has extensive experience in AI, including conducting one of the first academic studies on AI ethics and developing an expert system before the World Wide Web existed.
– They performed early research on AI for RISC-based computing architectures when the processors were refrigerator-sized, which are now used in modern smartphones.
– In 2010, they created and deployed a generative AI tool called the AI Editor, which required a distributed system across five servers to function effectively.
– They recently developed a free AI defense product for WordPress users to protect against AI training and scraping, with a paid version offering active countermeasures.
– With a master’s degree in education focusing on adult online learning, they have tested courses from each vendor mentioned and have a long-standing fascination with AI.
Navigating the rapidly advancing world of artificial intelligence requires access to high-quality educational resources that are both current and credible. For professionals and enthusiasts aiming to build or enhance their AI skills in 2025, a range of free AI courses and certifications offer substantial learning opportunities without financial commitment. These programs cover essential topics from machine learning fundamentals to advanced neural networks, providing practical knowledge applicable across industries.
My journey with artificial intelligence spans decades, beginning with an early academic investigation into AI ethics for my thesis. Before the internet became a household utility, I developed and launched an expert system development environment. My research also extended to AI on RISC-based computing architectures, back when these processors were refrigerator-sized, long before they powered today’s smartphones.
In 2010, I engineered and deployed a generative AI tool called the AI Editor, designed to dynamically assemble news and other content. Constructing this from the ground up was no small feat; it required coordination across five separate servers, each hosting one agent within a clustered AI framework. More recently, I developed a freely available AI defense solution for WordPress, helping users guard against unauthorized AI training and content scraping. A premium version offers active countermeasures for those seeking stronger protection.
Alongside my technical work, I hold a master’s degree in education with a specialization in learning and technology, focusing particularly on adult online education. This background gives me unique insight into what makes digital learning effective and accessible.
For this review, I sampled at least one offering from each provider featured here. While it wasn’t feasible to complete every course in full, this hands-on evaluation, combined with my extensive AI experience, ensures these recommendations are grounded in real testing. Among the many milestones in my career, one lighthearted highlight stands out: successfully programming an AI to converse like a pirate.
(Source: ZDNET)
