AI courses for beginners

• IBM

  AI for Everyone: Master the Basics

  BeginnerFreeAny role

  A free-to-audit foundational course on AI concepts and terminology.

  Take it on edXDetails

• HubSpot Academy

  AI-Driven Customer Service

  BeginnerFreeCustomer Success

  HubSpot Academy’s free short course on how support teams use AI with Service Hub. The level is ours.

  Take it on HubSpot AcademyDetails

• Microsoft

  Automate a business process using Power Automate

  BeginnerFreeOperations

  Microsoft Learn’s free path for building approval and data flows in Power Automate, the automation tool operations postings name.

  Take it on Microsoft LearnDetails

• Salesforce

  Become an Agentblazer Champion

  BeginnerFreeSalesCustomer Success

  Trailhead’s free Agentforce trail: what AI agents do in Salesforce and how sales and service teams use them.

  Take it on TrailheadDetails

• Anthropic

  Claude 101

  BeginnerFreeAny role

  Everyday use of Claude as an AI assistant for writing, research and analysis, with the prompt writing habits that make it reliable.

  Take it on Anthropic AcademyDetails

• Google Cloud

  Draft NDA Documents with Gemini

  BeginnerFreeLegal

  Short video course: draft a first-pass NDA with Gemini, then check it the way a lawyer would. Free; the level is ours, Google does not state one.

  Take it on Google SkillsDetails

• Microsoft

  Draft, Analyze, and Present with Microsoft Copilot

  BeginnerFreeFinance

  Microsoft Learn’s free path for Copilot in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Microsoft Copilot is the AI tool finance postings name most.

  Take it on Microsoft LearnDetails

• Google Cloud

  Elevate Financial Advisor Insights with Gemini

  BeginnerFreeFinance

  Short video course: use Gemini to pull client-relevant insight out of research and account material before an advisor conversation. Free; the level is ours, Google does not state one.

  Take it on Google SkillsDetails

• Microsoft

  Empower your workforce with Microsoft Copilot

  BeginnerFreeHuman ResourcesOperationsAdministration

  Microsoft Learn’s free path: exercises that build Copilot skills in role-related business scenarios. The level is ours.

  Take it on Microsoft LearnDetails

• Microsoft

  Explore the business value of generative AI solutions

  BeginnerFreeExecutive Leadership

  Microsoft Learn’s free path for business leaders on the value of generative AI solutions. The level is ours.

  Take it on Microsoft LearnDetails

• GitHub

  Getting Started with GitHub Copilot

  BeginnerFreeAny role

  GitHub’s free hands-on exercise in its own repository: use Copilot as an AI pair programmer to write, debug and ship code faster.

  Take it on GitHub SkillsDetails

• Google Cloud

  Introduction to Generative AI

  BeginnerFreeAny role

  A free, short intro to what generative AI is and how it works.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• Microsoft

  Optimize business processes with Microsoft Copilot

  BeginnerFreeOperationsAdministration

  Microsoft Learn’s free path on using Copilot to improve everyday business processes. The level is ours.

  Take it on Microsoft LearnDetails

• Microsoft

  Use Copilot in Power Automate

  BeginnerFreeAny role

  A short Microsoft Learn module on using Copilot in Power Automate to build and change workflows by describing what you want.

  Take it on Microsoft LearnDetails

• Microsoft

  Use Dynamics 365 Copilot for Sales

  BeginnerFreeSales

  Microsoft Learn’s free path on using Copilot in Dynamics 365 Sales. The level is ours.

  Take it on Microsoft LearnDetails

• Google Cloud

  Use Gemini to Redact Legal Documents

  BeginnerFreeLegal

  Short video course: find and mark sensitive text for redaction with Gemini. Free; the level is ours, Google does not state one.

  Take it on Google SkillsDetails

• UBC Sauder Professional Growth

  AI for Administrative Professionals

  BeginnerCheck costAdministration

  A university course for administrative professionals on using AI to simplify day-to-day tasks. Paid; one listing shows $395, so confirm with UBC. The level is ours.

  Take it on University executive educationDetails

• DeepLearning.AI

  AI For Everyone

  BeginnerCheck costAny role

  A foundational, non-technical introduction to what AI can and can't do.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• Coursera

  GenAI for UX Designers

  BeginnerCheck costDesign

  A Coursera course on how generative AI fits UX design work. Check cost on Coursera. The level is ours.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• DeepLearning.AI

  Generative AI for Everyone

  BeginnerCheck costAny role

  A plain-language overview of generative AI and how it applies across roles.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• LearnKartS

  Generative AI for Recruiters and HR Professionals

  BeginnerCheck costHuman Resources

  A Coursera course on using generative AI to screen, hire and engage employees while staying compliant. Check cost on Coursera. The level is ours.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• IBM

  Generative AI for UI UX Design

  BeginnerCheck costDesign

  An IBM specialization on Coursera on using generative AI across the product design workflow. Check cost on Coursera. The level is ours.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• Edureka

  Generative AI Foundation for HR Professionals

  BeginnerCheck costHuman Resources

  A Coursera course on generative AI in hiring, onboarding and employee engagement; no technical background needed. Check cost on Coursera. The level is ours.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• Simplilearn

  Generative AI in Customer Service Operations Training

  BeginnerCheck costCustomer Success

  A Coursera course on modernizing customer service with AI tools for knowledge bases and call-center efficiency. Check cost on Coursera. The level is ours.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• Google

  Google AI Essentials

  BeginnerCheck costAny role

  A practical, beginner-friendly course on using AI tools day to day.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• Google

  Google Prompting Essentials

  BeginnerCheck costAny role

  A short, practical course on writing effective prompts for everyday tasks.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• AI CERTs

  Product Management with AI

  BeginnerCheck costProduct

  A Coursera course on using AI to plan roadmaps and evaluate customer needs. Check cost on Coursera. The level is ours.

  Take it on CourseraDetails

• Runway

  Runway Academy

  BeginnerCheck costAny role

  Runway’s own lessons, tutorials and hands-on training for AI video creation and generative AI creative tools.

  Take it on RunwayDetails

Levels and functions are NextChapter's guidance, read from each course's own description; the provider may label them differently or not at all. Cost, dates and content are set by the provider, so check its page before you enroll. Providers marked "Partner" have a relationship with NextChapter; the others are included because the course is good.

Who are beginner AI courses for?

You have tried an AI assistant a few times, or not at all, and want a safe, practical start.

What do I need before a beginner AI course?

Nothing. No coding and no earlier AI course.

What can I do after a beginner AI course?

Use an AI assistant for everyday work, write a clear prompt, and spot when its answer is wrong.

Which AI course should I take first?

Start at the level that matches what you already do. If you use an AI assistant most days and write your own prompts, begin at intermediate; if you have not used one for real work yet, begin at beginner. Then pick the course for your own function, because a course on your own work is the best proof you can use AI.

Are these AI courses free?

Many are free, and each course is marked free or "check cost". Prices and free trials are set by the provider and change, so confirm on the provider's page before you enroll.