The demand for people with knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) hugely outstrips the supply. This means that learning and gaining qualifications in these subjects can be a great way to enhance your career prospects. However, not everyone has the spare time and money to spend years studying for a degree or other formal qualifications.

Today, with the wealth of freely available educational content online, it may not be necessary. There are so many courses, tutorials, and guides available online that it is perfectly possible to gain a thorough grounding in these subjects without paying a penny. What’s more, you can study at your own speed in your own time. Some of these materials are produced by the world’s leading universities, while others are put together by experienced professionals keen to share their knowledge.

These courses are aimed at a range of different audiences maybe you want to actually learn how to design and code AI algorithms, maybe you want to bolt together the increasing range of DIY AI tools and services that are available, or maybe you need to manage AI projects in your organisation. Whatever your needs, you are likely to find something here that will expand your horizons.

Elements of AI – Helsinki University

This is an elementary-level class aimed at anyone who wants to understand what AI does, how it might affect them, and what it can be used for, without getting involved in the underlying mathematics and statistics. It demonstrates that in-depth knowledge of those fields isn’t necessary to start taking advantage of the opportunities offered by AI and machine learning, and includes practical exercises. Originally available only in Finland (and in Finnish) as part of the government’s drive to educate its population on AI, last year, the decision was made to make it available to the world.

Learn with Google AI 

This collection of tutorials, guides, and resources has grown considerably since I last highlighted it. As well as basic tutorials covering the fundamentals, it also offers instructions on applying AI and ML to social, environmental and humanitarian challenges, as well information on how to ensure that your AI implementations are both ethical and people-centric”. This all helps to build a broad understanding of the many factors technological or otherwise that are important to consider when considering how AI could work for you.

Intro to Artificial Intelligence – Udacity 

This course starts with the fundamentals of statistics and logic before progressing to discussing more applied, specific uses of AI, including robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing. It is taught by two experienced AI researchers, Peter Norvig and Sebastian Thrun, and is designed to take around four months to complete.

Machine Learning – Stanford University (Coursera)

Often cited by AI experts as the single most important online resource for anyone wanting to learn AI, this course is led by Andrew Ng, who founded Google’s pioneering Google Brain deep learning program. This course gives a thorough grounding in the mathematical, statistical, and computer science fundamentals that go into developing and deploying automated learning machines.

AI for Everyone Andrew Ng (Coursera)

Another course from Andrew Ng this one explicitly aimed at those who don’t need an in-depth technical understanding of the subject but who may want to begin leveraging AI in their organisations or working to roll out AI initiatives while working with non-technical teams. It covers the workflow of running AI projects as well as how to develop a strategy around AI deployments in business.

Data Science and Machine Learning Essentials Microsoft (EdX)

This course is also listed in my guide to the best free data science courses. Of course, there’s a great deal of crossover between the two subjects, as data science is the foundation of all of today’s AI. If you’re confused about the terminology, then think of machine learning as a technique that leverages data science to work towards achieving what we currently understand as AI. This course gives a great overview as it starts by explaining the core data science concepts before moving on to demonstrate how they are applied in machine learning.

Machine Learning Crash Course – Google

Another Google course, and this one is said to be required reading for everyone whose work is involved with AI at the tech giant. This course covers the basics but also moves onto the theory and practical applications of TensorFlow, Google’s open-source deep-learning library that it uses in many of its own AI-enhanced services and projects.

Learning From Data (Introductory Machine Learning) – Caltech (EdX)

Starting with theoretical principles such as “what is learning?” and “can machines learn?” this course covers advanced practical applications including creating ML algorithms used to power neural networks. It aims to help those who are set on a career as a data scientist or analyst. Like many of the courses covered here, all of the materials are freely available, but you can pay $50 for official certification at the end.

Artificial Intelligence A-Z: Learn How To Build An AI – Udemy

Another course that takes a slightly different approach, here you are taken through the practical steps necessary to build machines that solve a number of real-world AI problems, such as driving a car or playing a game. It also covers Q-learning, a form of machine learning based on reinforcement learning, that is gaining in popularity in cutting-edge applications.

Creative Applications of Deep Learning With Tensorflow Kadenze (Class Central)

Deep learning is one of the most advanced fields of AI, and one that is pushing the boundaries of creating machines that can think and learn like humans. This is another course focused on the open-source TensorFlow framework originally created by Google for use in Deep Learning, and is one that has received good reviews for giving an easy-to-follow guide to a complex technical subject.