7 Free Online Courses That Will Teach You AI (No Degree or Experience Needed)
Curious about AI but not sure where to start? Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to sharpen your skills, there are incredible free online courses that make AI surprisingly accessible and no tech degree required.
Here are 7 high-quality, no-cost AI courses Canadians can access today, what makes them great, and where to start.
1. ELEMENTS OF AI – UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
This course went viral—and for good reason. It breaks down complex AI ideas into simple, digestible lessons with zero programming required. Think of it as the perfect crash course for curious minds. It’s even been used to help educate entire countries about the future of AI.
Why it’s great:
- Designed for beginners
- No coding or math skills needed
- Available in multiple languages
- Created by one of Europe’s top universities
2. GOOGLE MACHINE LEARNING CRASH COURSE
https://developers.google.com/machine-learning/crash-course
Want to get hands-on with real machine learning projects? This free course from Google includes video tutorials, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies. It’s like sitting in on a Google training session without ever leaving home.
Why it’s great:
- Made by Google AI engineers
- Real TensorFlow coding practice
- Includes real-world examples (like how Google uses ML)
- Self-paced and flexible
3. AI FOUNDATION FOR EVERYONE – SKILLUP BY SIMPLELEARN
https://www.simplilearn.com/ai-for-everyone-foundations-skillup
This free course offers a compact yet valuable introduction to AI. It touches on key AI concepts, machine learning basics, real-world uses, and future trends. The content is video-based and can be completed in just a few hours, making it perfect if you’re looking for a crash course in the topic.
Why it’s great:
- Completely free, no sign-up for trials or subscriptions
- Clear, beginner-focused content in short video lessons
- A certificate of completion is included if you finish the course
SkillUp is known for offering short, accessible courses, and this AI intro gives you just enough to understand the landscape without committing to something overwhelming.
4. INTRO TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – UDACITY
If you want to go a little deeper and are open to more technical content, this free Udacity course is a fantastic introduction. Created in partnership with Peter Norvig (Google) and Sebastian Thrun (founder of Udacity), it offers insight into AI concepts like search algorithms, logic, planning, and even machine learning.
Why it’s great:
- Created by leading AI experts
- Offers deeper foundational concepts for those ready to level up
- 100 percent free and self-paced
5. FAST.AI – PRACTICAL DEEP LEARNING FOR CODERS
Ready to get serious? This course helps you build real deep learning models from scratch. It’s not for absolute beginners, but if you’ve dabbled in coding or want to jump into AI development, this course is pure gold. It’s used by professionals around the world.
Why it’s great:
- Project-based learning (you’ll build real models)
- Free and open-source
- Backed by a passionate community
- Teaches best practices used in top tech companies
6. OPENAI DEVELOPER RESOURCES
https://platform.openai.com/docs
If you’re fascinated by ChatGPT or want to build AI-powered tools, OpenAI’s documentation is a treasure trove. It’s where developers learn to integrate language models into websites, apps, and automations. Bonus: it’s incredibly well-written and easy to follow—even for newcomers.
Why it’s great:
- Learn how to work with ChatGPT and GPT-4
- Build real tools and apps
- Updated regularly by OpenAI
- Tons of examples and tutorials
7. COURSERA – AI FOR EVERYONE BY ANDREW NG
https://www.coursera.org/learn/ai-for-everyone
Taught by one of the world’s leading AI experts, this course is not about coding—it’s about understanding. Andrew Ng breaks down how AI affects industries, jobs, and the future. It’s perfect if you want a big-picture view before diving deeper.
Why it’s great:
- Over 1 million learners enrolled
- Non-technical and beginner-friendly
- Practical insights for business and everyday life
- Free to audit (pay only if you want a certificate)
FINAL THOUGHTS: AI ISN’T JUST FOR TECH GENIUSES
You don’t need to be a math whiz or a programmer to learn AI. With these free resources, you can explore this fascinating field, build real skills, and even open the door to remote work opportunities—all without spending a dime.
Ready to start? Pick a course, commit to 30 minutes a day, and see where it leads.