certificate of completion (free on Google Skills; included in Coursera subscription)
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Free in
Worldwide
Worldwide
Content written for
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United States
Summary
A plain-language introduction to what AI is, how it solves problems and how machine learning and neural networks work, with no programming or heavy maths. It closes by looking at what AI means for jobs and society. One of the most widely taken free AI courses in the world.
Google's entry-level course on using generative AI tools at work: generating ideas, researching, drafting and speeding up routine tasks. It also covers prompting basics and how to spot bias and other risks. The same course is sold on Coursera, but Google now offers it at no cost on its own Google Skills platform.
Objectives
Explain what AI is and is not, and how it relates to nearby fields
Describe how AI searches for solutions and handles uncertainty using probability
Tell the main types of machine learning apart and give examples
Outline how neural networks are built and what they are good at
Judge claims about AI in the news more critically
Discuss the likely social and workplace effects of AI
Use generative AI tools to brainstorm ideas and draft content
Apply AI to research, organisation and planning tasks
Write clearer, more specific prompts
Recognise bias and other risks and use AI responsibly
Keep skills current as AI tools change
Things to know
Provider estimates 4 to 8 hours per part across 6 parts, so total time is about 24 to 48 hours
Content predates much of the generative AI wave, so it covers foundations rather than tools like ChatGPT
ECTS credits only available through the Open University of the University of Helsinki
Free account needed to track progress and get the certificate
Google Skills and Coursera versions list different durations (Google Skills: 2 hr 15 min; Coursera: about 8 hours across five short courses)
Coursera version is subscription-based and cannot be audited
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