Build Real AI Skills with These Free AI and AI Agent Courses in 2025

If you’re looking to build fundamental AI skills without spending money, these free ai courses are a great place to start. They offer beginner-friendly lessons, hands-on labs, and practical tools to help you understand AI, machine learning, and AI agents. 

Whether you’re exploring AI for the first time or want to sharpen your skills for work, these programs give you a strong, flexible learning path at zero cost.

How We Have Chosen These Free Courses

We curated these AI and AI agent courses based on:

• High-quality content from trusted universities and global tech leaders
  
• Hands-on learning through labs, exercises, and guided projects
  
• Beginner-friendly structure with no-cost certificates or badges
  
• Career-focused skills that match today’s AI job market
  
• Courses that explain AI concepts in simple, practical ways

Top 10 Free Artificial Intelligence Courses Offering Hands-On Learning

1. Building Intelligent AI Agents – Great Learning Academy

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 1 hours of video lessons)

This free AI agents course introduces the concepts, tools, and frameworks for developing intelligent systems using modern AI techniques. It focuses on the creation of AI agents designed to perform tasks autonomously.

Key Outcomes:

• Understand the core concepts and architecture of intelligent AI agents.
  
• Learn about the various tools and frameworks used in agent development.
  
• Explore practical applications of AI agents in real-world scenarios.
  
• Gain practical skills in understanding AI agents, making decisions with agents, building simple agents, applying them in real scenarios, and working with complete agent cycles.
  
• Receive a certificate of completion from Great Learning Academy.

2. Introduction to Generative AI – Google Cloud Skills Boost

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 45 minutes)

This micro-learning course provides a quick introduction to generative AI. It explains what it is, how it works, and its various applications. It is ideal for those seeking a concise overview of the field.

Key Outcomes:

• Understand the fundamentals of generative AI and its capabilities.
  
• Learn about various generative AI model types and their practical applications.
  
• Explore Google tools used in generative AI development.
  
• Earn a digital badge upon completion.

3. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence – Great Learning Academy

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 4 hours of video lessons)

This course provides a solid foundation in key AI concepts, enabling you to apply these skills in practical and real-world scenarios. 

It covers neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision with examples you can understand. It is designed for any beginner wanting to learn about AI from the basics.

Key Outcomes:

• Learn the fundamentals of AI, including its history, applications, and impact across various industries.
  
• Understand core concepts like neural networks, computer vision, and natural language processing.
  
• Grasp the differences between business intelligence and artificial intelligence technologies.
  
• Build a foundational understanding of the domains where AI has a stronghold.
  
• Receive a certificate of completion from Great Learning Academy.

4. AI Essentials – Google (via Grow with Google)

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 5 hours)

This course, offered by Google, covers the fundamentals of generative AI and provides practical tools. It includes hands-on experience with AI tools to develop ideas and streamline daily tasks.

Key Outcomes:

• Learn the fundamentals of generative AI and its applications.
  
• Gain hands-on experience using AI tools for content creation and productivity.
  
• Understand how to use AI responsibly and effectively.
  
• Earn a certificate upon completion.

5. AI for Beginners – HP LIFE

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 2-3 hours)

Offered by HP LIFE, this quick course teaches AI in real-life business and ethics contexts. It requires no prior technical skills and includes downloadable materials.

Key Outcomes:

• Understand AI’s role in business operations and ethics.
  
• Learn to plan projects and predict outcomes using simple AI examples.
  
• Gain a basic, practical understanding of AI applications without coding.
  
• Access a downloadable course with quizzes and videos.

6. Prompting Essentials – Google

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 6 hours)

This course focuses on writing effective prompts for AI tools. It offers hands-on exercises to help users get better results from AI and boost productivity.

Key Outcomes:

• Master the 5 steps for writing effective AI prompts.
  
• Learn how to get better results from generative AI tools.
  
• Develop a library of reusable prompts to boost personal productivity.
  
• Understand best practices for professional use of prompting.

7. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) – IBM

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 8 hours)

This beginner-friendly course introduces machine learning, neural networks, and real-world applications of AI. It provides a solid foundation in the field for those starting their learning journey.

Key Outcomes:

• Grasp core AI concepts and terminology.
  
• Understand the basics of machine learning and neural networks.
  
• Explore various real-world AI applications across industries.
  
• Build a foundational understanding of the AI technology landscape.

8. AI for Everyone by Andrew Ng – DeepLearning.AI

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 6-8 hours)

Taught by AI pioneer Andrew Ng, this non-technical course helps business professionals understand the impact of AI and project workflows. It is ideal for those without a coding background who need a business context.

Key Outcomes:

• Understand the realistic capabilities and limitations of AI in business.
  
• Spot opportunities for AI implementation in your organization.
  
• Learn the process of building AI projects and working with AI teams.
  
• Develop critical thinking about the ethical considerations of AI.

9. Introduction to Generative AI – LinkedIn Learning & Microsoft

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (under 1 hour)

This brief, free course offers a concise overview of generative AI, its underlying principles, and the business implications it holds. It focuses on workplace applications to improve productivity.

Key Outcomes:

• Grasp the basics of generative AI in a short amount of time.
  
• Understand the potential of large language models and image generators.
  
• Learn how AI can be applied to improve workplace productivity.
  
• Earn a LinkedIn Learning certificate to display on your profile.

10. Introduction to AI – Google (via Coursera)

Delivery: Online
Duration: Self-paced (approx. 1 week suggested pace, total hours under 14)

This course offers a general introduction to artificial intelligence, covering key concepts and real-world applications of machine learning and innovation. It provides a broad awareness of the AI landscape.

Key Outcomes:

• Understand foundational AI concepts and their role in the technology landscape.
  
• Explore how AI drives innovation across different fields.
  
• Grasp the basics of machine learning and its practical uses.
  
• Build a general awareness of the AI landscape.

Conclusion

These free AI courses make it easy to build fundamental, practical skills without any financial barrier. 

Whether you’re exploring AI for the first time or looking to boost your knowledge for work, these programs offer flexible, high-quality learning with certificates and hands-on exercises. 

If you’re aiming to grow your career in 2025, these online free courses with certificate options are a great place to start.