7 Best Online AI Courses for Developers: Boost Your Skills Today for Free

Did you know that in 2024, over 87% of developers believe AI knowledge is crucial for career advancement? That’s huge! As the tech industry keeps evolving at lightning speeds, staying ahead means continuously learning and adapting. I’m on this journey myself, diving into AI courses to sharpen my skills. It’s been a real eye-opener, and I’m understanding AI in a way I’ve never had before. Let’s dive into the 7 best online AI courses for developers to help you enhance your skills and help you become a 10X developer.

Why AI Skills Are Essential for Developers

Industry Demand

You probably know by now that AI is becoming mainstream. From super-smart LLMs like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to image generation tools to development tools, AI is transforming industries left and right. Although many developers are lamenting that this is the end of software engineers, the truth is that companies are in demand for developers who can harness AI to create innovative solutions. It’s not about how many coding languages you know anymore; it’s about how good you are at prompt engineering and understanding how AI works.

Career Advancement

Do you know that having AI expertise can help you move up the ladder faster? Developers with AI skills have the potential to lead projects and even entire teams. As I’m learning how to incorporate AI into my work, I’m beginning to think less like a developer and more like an architect. By letting AI do most of the low level work, I can focus my time and energy on high level tasks such as system designing and strategizing innovative solutions.

It’s been a game-changer—I now have more bandwidth to architect complex systems, optimize performance, and explore cutting-edge technologies that truly push the envelope in software development. Honestly, it’s almost like I’ve done my own personal career change. I still have to know coding of course as AI is not perfect, and it takes an experienced developer to hold the sails and keep AI from hallucinating.

Staying Competitive

Let’s face it: the tech world is competitive. It’s alway been competitive even before AI. If we’re not continuously learning, we’re falling behind. But now the tides are changing! AI is becoming an integral part of software development. Mastering AI is essential to remaining a software developer.

Top 7 Best Online AI Courses for Developers (2024)

I’ve spent quite some time exploring various AI courses. Here are the 7 that best stood out for me.

1. AI For Everyone by Andrew Ng (Coursera)

Instructor: Andrew Ng
Length: Approximately 6 hours
Pricing: Free to audit; $49 for certificate

Overview:

“AI For Everyone” is a non-technical course designed to introduce the basics of artificial intelligence to a broad audience. It demystifies AI concepts and explores how AI can be integrated into various industries without requiring any programming experience.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Understanding what AI is and isn’t
• Key terminology like machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks
• AI’s impact on society and businesses
• Ethical considerations in AI deployment
• Real-world case studies of AI applications

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for those with no prior experience in AI or programming.
• Comprehensive Content: Covers a wide range of topics to provide a solid foundational understanding.
• Expert Instructor: Taught by Andrew Ng, a leading figure in the AI community.
• Flexible Learning: Short course length makes it easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Cons:

• Non-Technical Focus: Does not delve into programming or hands-on AI development.
• Limited Depth for Developers: May be too basic for those seeking technical proficiency.

Why It’s Great:

This course is a gateway for those who are novices in the field of AI. It breaks down complex concepts into simple, digestible lessons, making it ideal to be an introductory to understanding how AI works. Plus it’s fairly short which makes it great for a prerequisite before taking a more advanced level course.

Pricing and Enrollment Details:

• Cost: Free to access all course materials when auditing.
• Certificate: $49 for a shareable certificate upon completion.
• Enrollment: Open enrollment with the flexibility to start anytime.

2. IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate (Coursera)

Instructor: IBM
Length: Approximately 21 hours
Pricing: Free to audit; $39 per month for certificate

Overview

The “IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate” is a beginner-friendly program designed to equip learners with practical AI skills and knowledge. It focuses on using IBM Watson, a leading AI platform, to build and deploy AI-powered applications without requiring extensive programming experience.

Curriculum Highlights

• Understanding core AI concepts like machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks
• Building chatbots and virtual assistants using IBM Watson
• Learning Python basics for data science and AI development
• Developing AI-enabled apps and deploying them on the web

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Practical Focus: Emphasis on hands-on projects and real-world applications
• Industry Relevance: Learn to use IBM Watson, a widely used AI platform
• Beginner Friendly: No prior AI or programming experience required
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers various AI concepts and tools
• Career-Oriented: Prepares learners for roles in AI development and deployment

Cons

• IBM Watson Focus: Primarily focuses on using the IBM Watson ecosystem
• Limited Programming Depth: May not be suitable for those seeking advanced programming skills

Why It’s Great

This program is perfect for individuals aspiring to build practical AI skills and gain hands-on experience with IBM Watson. Its focus on application development makes it an ideal choice for those who want to create AI-powered solutions without delving too deeply into programming. If you’re looking to enhance your resume with practical AI skills and explore the potential of IBM Watson, this certificate is an excellent option.

Pricing and Enrollment Details

• Cost: Free to access all course materials when auditing
• Certificate: $39 per month subscription, which grants you access to all courses within the Professional Certificate. You can cancel your subscription anytime.
• Enrollment: Open enrollment with the flexibility to start anytime

3. IBM Generative AI for Software Developers Specialization (Coursera)

Instructor: IBM
Length: Approximately 15 hours
Pricing: Free to audit; $39 per month subscription for certificate

Overview:

The “IBM Generative AI for Software Developers Specialization” is designed to introduce software developers to the exciting world of generative AI and its practical applications in software development. It focuses on teaching developers how to effectively utilize generative AI tools and techniques to enhance their productivity and build innovative solutions.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Understanding the fundamentals of generative AI models and their use cases.
• Mastering prompt engineering techniques to interact and control generative AI tools.
• Exploring the application of generative AI in code generation, testing, and debugging.
• Building real-world projects using generative AI tools for various development tasks.
• Examining the ethical and responsible use of generative AI in software development.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Practical and Hands-On: Emphasizes real-world projects to apply generative AI skills.
• Industry-Relevant: Focuses on skills in high demand in the software development industry.
• Developer-Centric: Tailored to software developers seeking to leverage generative AI in their workflows.
• Up-to-Date Content: Covers the latest advancements and tools in the field of generative AI.
• Career-Advancing: Provides valuable skills for enhancing career prospects in AI-driven development.

Cons:

• Assumes Basic Programming Knowledge: Participants should have some familiarity with programming concepts.
• Fast-Paced: May require dedicated time and effort to keep up with the material.
• Limited Theoretical Depth: Focuses more on practical applications than in-depth theoretical explanations.

Why It’s Great:

This course is a more advanced level course where you take a real deep dive into integrating generative AI into your development work and boost productivity. Its hands-on approach ensures you’ll gain practical experience in using generative AI tools and techniques. If you already have a working understanding of AI (and maybe already taken one of the first two courses previously mentioned), then this is the next step in your curriculum.

Pricing and Enrollment Details:

• Cost: Free to access all course materials when auditing.
• Certificate: $39 per month subscription to Coursera, which provides access to all courses within the specialization and other Coursera offerings. You can cancel anytime.
• Enrollment: Open enrollment, allowing you to start at your convenience.

4. Harvard’s CS50: Introduction to AI with Python (edX)

Instructor: David J. Malan
Length: Approximately 12 weeks
Pricing: Free to audit; $199 for certificate

Overview:

“Harvard’s CS50: Introduction to AI with Python” is a comprehensive course designed to equip learners with a solid foundation in artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and practical Python programming skills. This beginner-friendly course delves into various AI algorithms and techniques, including machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. Through hands-on projects and problem-solving exercises, participants gain practical experience in implementing AI solutions using Python libraries and frameworks.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Understanding the fundamentals of AI and its applications in various domains.
• Exploring core machine learning algorithms like linear regression, decision trees, and neural networks.
• Learning Python programming basics for data manipulation and analysis.
• Implementing AI models using popular Python libraries like TensorFlow and scikit-learn.
• Building real-world AI applications such as chatbots, image recognition systems, and intelligent agents.
• Examining the ethical considerations and societal implications of AI.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Beginner-Friendly: No prior AI or programming experience required.
• Comprehensive Content: Covers a wide range of AI topics and practical skills.
• Harvard University Affiliation: Benefits from the prestige and academic rigor of Harvard University.
• Hands-on Learning: Emphasizes practical projects and problem-solving exercises.
• Python-Focused: Teaches AI concepts and applications using the widely used Python programming language.

Cons:

• Time Commitment: Requires a significant time investment to complete the full course.
• Cost for Certificate: Certificate requires a one-time payment of $199.
• Fast-Paced: May require dedication and effort to keep up with the course material.

Why It’s Great:

This course is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a Python specific introduction to AI and its practical applications. The combination of theoretical foundations, hands-on projects, and Python programming skills makes it a valuable learning experience for beginners and aspiring 10X developers. If you’re interested in exploring the world of AI and gaining practical skills in Python, this course is a great starting point.

Pricing and Enrollment Details:

• Cost: Free to access all course materials when auditing.
• Certificate: $199 one-time payment for a verified certificate upon completion.
• Enrollment: Open enrollment with the flexibility to start anytime.

5. Artificial Intelligence A-Z™: Learn How To Build an AI (Udemy)

Instructor: Kirill Eremenko, Hadelin de Ponteves, SuperDataScience Team
Length: Approximately 17.5 hours
Pricing: Varies (check Udemy for current price)

Overview:

“Artificial Intelligence A-Z™: Learn How To Build an AI” is a comprehensive course aimed at providing learners with the skills and knowledge to build various AI models. It covers a range of AI concepts and techniques, including Q-Learning, Deep Q-Learning, Deep Convolutional Q-Learning, and more, using Python programming.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Understanding the fundamentals of AI and its applications across different domains.
• Building seven distinct AI models for various purposes.
• Mastering state-of-the-art AI models like Deep Convolutional Q-Learning, A3C, PPO, and SAC.
• Exploring Large Language Models (LLMs) and their applications in building chatbots.
• Applying fine-tuning techniques to enhance the performance of LLMs.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Project-Based Learning: Emphasis on building multiple AI models to gain practical experience.
• Wide Range of AI Models: Covers a variety of AI techniques and their implementations.
• Includes LLM Content: Provides insights into the latest advancements in large language models.
• Python-Centric: Utilizes Python for building and implementing AI solutions.
• Lifetime Access: Udemy courses offer lifetime access to purchased content.

Cons:

• Assumes Some Programming Experience: May require basic programming knowledge to fully grasp the concepts.
• Fast-Paced: Content-rich course that might require dedication and focused learning.
• Limited Theoretical Depth: Primarily focuses on practical implementations with less emphasis on theoretical foundations.

Why It’s Great:

This course is an excellent option for those seeking hands-on experience in building AI models. It provides a diverse set of projects and covers a wide range of AI techniques, making it a valuable resource for developers interested in adding some AI projects to their portfolios as well as gaining proficiency in building intelligent systems. This was actually my first course in AI; and though it’s a bit pricey, I can full heartedly sayit was worth the investment!

Pricing and Enrollment Details:

• Cost: Price varies; check Udemy for current pricing and discounts.
• Certificate: Udemy courses typically offer certificates of completion.
• Enrollment: Open enrollment allows you to start the course anytime.

6. Deep Learning Specialization by DeepLearning.AI (Coursera)

Instructor: Andrew Ng
Length: Approximately 5 months (10 courses, 1 week each)
Pricing: Free to audit; $39 per month for certificate

Overview:

The “Deep Learning Specialization” by DeepLearning.AI is a comprehensive program designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills need to build and implement deep learning models. This specialization is ideal for individuals with some prior programming experience and a basic understanding of machine learning concepts. Through a series of hands-on projects and interactive exercises, participants gain practical experience in building and training deep neural networks for various applications.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Understanding the fundamentals of deep learning and its applications in various domains.
• Exploring different types of neural networks, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and generative models.
• Building and training deep neural networks using popular deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch.
• Applying deep learning to real-world problems in computer vision, natural language processing, and other domains.
• Developing and deploying deep learning models for production environments.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers a wide range of deep learning topics and applications.
• Expert Instruction: Taught by leading figures in the field of deep learning, including Andrew Ng.
• Hands-on Learning: Emphasizes practical projects and real-world applications.
• Industry-Relevant: Focuses on skills in high demand by tech companies and research institutions.
• Flexible Learning: Self-paced format allows you to learn at your own convenience.

Cons:

• Time Commitment: Requires a significant time investment to complete the full specialization.
• Cost for Certificate: Certificate requires a monthly subscription to Coursera.
• Assumes Prior Knowledge: Basic understanding of machine learning and Python programming is recommended.

Why It’s Great:

Okay, so this one isn’t technically meant for developers. It’s more for deep learning engineers, but there’s a reason I added this to the list. Taking any of the first five courses will guarantee that you become a better developer. But there’s a possibility that we developers not only need to learn how to use AI, but also learn how to develop/engineer AI systems. The roles of us devs are changing more drastically in the last two years than in the last two decades. It’s uncertain what skills will be critical for us to know in the coming years. As we strive to adapt, it doesn’t hurt to learn the inner workings of our new tools.

Pricing and Enrollment Details:

• Cost: Free to access all course materials when auditing.
• Certificate: $39 per month subscription to Coursera, which provides access to all courses within the specialization and other Coursera offerings. You can cancel anytime.
• Enrollment: Open enrollment, allowing you to start at your convenience.

7. AI for Business by University of Pennsylvania (Coursera)

Instructor: Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Length: Approximately 16 weeks
Pricing: Free to audit; $79 per month for certificate

Overview:

“AI for Business” is a specialization aimed at business professionals seeking to harness the power of AI to enhance their decision-making, optimize processes, and drive innovation within their organizations. It explores AI applications in various business functions, including marketing, HR, and operations, and provides a strategic framework for implementing AI solutions effectively.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Understanding AI fundamentals and their relevance to business operations.
• Exploring AI’s impact on customer experience, marketing, and personalization.
• Leveraging AI for people management and HR decision-making.
• Developing AI strategies and governance frameworks within organizations.
• Examining ethical considerations and responsible AI practices.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Business-Focused: Tailored to the needs of business professionals and decision-makers.
• Strategic Perspective: Offers a comprehensive view of AI’s impact on various business functions.
• Real-World Applications: Focuses on practical case studies and AI use cases in industry.
• Wharton Brand: Benefits from the reputation and expertise of the Wharton School.
• Career-Relevant: Enhances strategic thinking and decision-making skills in the context of AI.

Cons:

• Time Commitment: Requires a significant time investment to complete the specialization.
• Cost for Certificate: Certificate requires a monthly subscription to Coursera.
• Limited Technical Depth: May not delve into the technical implementation of AI models.

Why It’s Great:

So here’s the deal. As a developer, you’re not just writing code—you’re shaping business success. Understanding the business side of AI can propel your career to new heights. This course zeroes in on strategic implementation and real-world applications, making it invaluable for integrating AI into business strategies. Ready to harness AI’s power and gain a competitive edge? This program is your launchpad!

Pricing and Enrollment Details:

• Cost: Free to access all course materials when auditing.
• Certificate: $79 per month subscription to Coursera, providing access to all courses within the specialization and other Coursera offerings. You can cancel anytime.
• Enrollment: Open enrollment, allowing you to start at your convenience.

How to Maximize Your Learning Experience

Setting Goals

Before diving in, figure out what you want to achieve. Are you looking to pivot your career into AI, or do you just want to enhance your current role? Setting clear goals will keep you motivated.

Time Management

Balancing work, life, and learning is challenging. I’ve found that studying at least 15 minutes daily is more effective than studying for an hour four times a week. While it might seem counterintuitive, longer gaps between study sessions lead to more forgetting. Short daily sessions allow me to build knowledge incrementally and digest complex information more easily. Sometimes I study longer than 15 minutes, depending on the content, but I aim to study every day. Consistency is key to reinforcing new information and enhancing understanding.

Engaging with the Community

Join discussion forums or social media groups related to your course. Engaging with others can deepen your understanding and make learning more enjoyable.

Applying Knowledge

Try to apply what you’re learning to real projects. I started a small AI project on GitHub, which not only reinforced my learning but also became a great addition to my portfolio.

Conclusion

Investing in the right AI course can significantly impact your development career. By upskilling, you’re not just keeping pace with the industry—you’re setting yourself up for future success. Go ahead and enroll in one of these courses today. Many of these courses can be done for free, and I know every one of you can dedicate just 15 minutes out of your busy schedule to transforming yourselves into 10X developers. I’d love to hear about your experiences or if you have any questions. Feel free to share them in the comments below!