Best Online Free Artificial Intelligence Courses with Certificates
Artificial intelligence is one of the most sought-after skills in 2026. Many industries are adopting AI to improve efficiency, customer experience, and innovation. As a result, learning AI has become essential for anyone interested in technology and future career growth. Free artificial intelligence courses with certificates have gained popularity as a low-cost way to start learning. This blog covers the best free ai course online with certificate options available today. It also explains why free artificial intelligence certification courses are good for beginners but have limitations if you want to build a long-term career.
Why Take a Free AI Course with a Certificate?
Free ai and machine learning courses offer a low-risk way to explore AI basics. Many beginners use these free AI courses to understand fundamental concepts like supervised and unsupervised learning, machine learning algorithms, and real-world AI applications. Receiving a free artificial intelligence certification course certificate adds credibility to your LinkedIn profile or resume. It signals to recruiters and peers that you have completed structured learning at no cost. Also, these courses help determine if AI truly interests you before investing in a paid program.
Pro-Tip: Free courses are great for grasping basics, but they usually do not provide the depth, mentorship, or hands-on projects recruiters look for in hiring. They should be the first step, not the entire learning journey.
Best Free Artificial Intelligence Courses with Certificates (2025)
Here are the top free artificial intelligence courses with certificates available right now. Each course is beginner-friendly and offers a certificate upon completion.
Scaler Topics – Artificial Intelligence Tutorial
Scaler Topics offers a free artificial intelligence course with certificate that covers AI fundamentals, including supervised and unsupervised learning, popular ML algorithms, and practical examples. The course is designed for complete beginners and concludes with a certificate upon completion.
The structured curriculum provides a clear learning path from basics to intermediate concepts. Interactive quizzes and coding exercises reinforce understanding and build practical skills immediately applicable to real-world problems.
Google AI Free Course
Google provides an “AI for Everyone” style free ai course online with certificate that caters to non-technical learners. It introduces basic AI concepts and explains how AI impacts various industries. The course offers a free certificate to all participants who complete the materials. The course emphasizes business applications and strategic thinking around AI adoption. Google's reputation and industry expertise lend credibility to the content and certification.
Coursera Free AI Courses
Coursera offers audit mode free AI courses where learners can access full content for free and get certificates by applying for financial aid. Featured courses include Stanford's Introduction to AI and Andrew Ng’s AI for Everyone, focusing on practical AI applications in industry.
These university-backed courses provide rigorous academic content combined with industry relevance. Financial aid options make world-class education accessible to learners regardless of financial circumstances.
Udemy Free AI Courses
Udemy periodically offers free artificial intelligence certification courses covering AI and machine learning basics. While these free enrollments are time-limited, they provide an introduction and certification for committed learners.
The platform's user-friendly interface and video-based learning appeal to visual learners. Community forums enable peer support and discussion throughout the learning journey.
Microsoft Learn – AI Fundamentals
Microsoft Learn offers a beginner-focused free AI and machine learning course that also prepares learners for the AI-900 certification exam. The program helps build confidence with foundational AI topics and provides a certificate of completion.
The course integrates hands-on labs using Azure AI services, providing practical experience with industry tools. Official Microsoft certification preparation increases employability and professional credibility.
IBM AI Engineering Introductory Courses
IBM offers free accredited AI engineering intro courses through edX. The courses cover AI workflows and concepts, with some free artificial intelligence certification course vouchers provided to participants who complete the program successfully.
Kaggle Micro-Courses
Kaggle provides free hands-on micro-courses on AI and machine learning. While Kaggle courses do not offer certificates, their project-driven approach is valuable for applying AI skills practically.
Table: Top Free Artificial Intelligence Courses With Certificates
| Course | Provider | Duration | Level | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scaler Topics – AI Tutorial | Scaler | Self-paced | Beginner | Yes |
| AI for Everyone | Google AI | ~3 hours | Beginner | Yes |
| Introduction to AI | Coursera (Stanford) | 11 weeks (audit or with aid) | Beginner | Yes (financial aid) |
| Free AI Fundamentals | Udemy | ~6 hours | Beginner | Yes |
| AI Fundamentals (AI-900 Prep) | Microsoft Learn | Flexible | Beginner | Yes |
| AI Engineering Intro | IBM / edX | Variable | Beginner | Occasionally Free |
| Machine Learning Micro-Course | Kaggle | 2-4 hours | Beginner | No |
Limitations of Free AI Courses
While free AI and machine learning courses provide a good overview of basics, they have some limitations:
- They often cover only introductory content and lack depth in advanced topics like deep learning, NLP, or computer vision.
- Most do not include real-world projects or industry exposure, which are crucial for hiring.
- Recruiters sometimes value certificates from full programs more than free artificial intelligence certification courses with no accompanying portfolio.
Reality Check: To secure a job in AI, hands-on projects, advanced concepts, and mentorship are essential.
Why Paid AI & ML Courses Are Essential for Career Growth
Paid courses offer significant benefits that free AI courses cannot match:
- Hands-on projects and case studies: Recruiters look for candidates who have solved real problems. Paid courses often integrate projects in deployment, model tuning, and research.
- Advanced concepts: Topics like computer vision, natural language processing, generative AI, and deep reinforcement learning receive detailed treatment in paid programs.
- Placement support and mentorship: Paid programs, including Scaler's AI & Machine Learning Program, provide interview preparation, mentor guidance, and connection to recruiters.
- Return on Investment (ROI): According to industry data, freshers typically earn ₹4-6 Lakhs per annum before upskilling. After AI/ML specializations, salaries increase to ₹10-18 Lakhs in India and average $110,000 in the US.
Salary Table: Salary Progression After AI Upskilling
| Experience Level | Average Salary (India, ₹ LPA) | Average Salary (US, USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher (Before AI Skill) | 4 – 6 | 60,000 – 80,000 |
| After AI/ML Upskilling | 10 – 18 | 100,000 – 120,000 |
| Experienced AI Professional | 20+ | 150,000+ |
Scaler’s AI & Machine Learning Program: The Career-Ready Path
Scaler offers a career-oriented AI & Machine learning Course designed for professionals seeking to switch careers or upskill. The curriculum covers the complete spectrum from machine learning basics to advanced concepts in deep learning, natural language processing, and generative AI.
Students work on real-world projects using deployment tools like Flask, FastAPI, Docker, and cloud platforms, giving them hands-on experience. 1:1 mentorship helps learners fill skill gaps, and placement assistance connects them with top tech recruiters. Flexible EMI options make quality education affordable.
Comparison Table: Free AI Course vs Scaler AI/ML Program
| Feature | Free AI Courses | Scaler AI & ML Program |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid (EMI available) |
| Duration | Self-paced | 6-9 months |
| Certificate | Yes (varies) | IIT Roorkee-backed certificate |
| Depth of Content | Basics only | Beginner to advanced |
| Mentorship | No | Yes, 1:1 Mentorship |
| Projects | Limited | Real-world, hands-on projects |
| Career Support | None | Interview prep, placement |
| Industry Recognition | Limited | High |
Conclusion
Final Thoughts: Start Free, Grow with Paid Learning Free artificial intelligence courses with certificates are excellent starting points for beginners. They allow you to explore AI fundamentals at no cost, build basic knowledge, and confirm your interest in the field. However, if your goal is competitive job placement, salary growth, and mastery of advanced AI technologies, investing in paid AI and machine learning courses becomes essential. Programs like Scaler’s AI & Machine Learning provide the projects, mentorship, and career support that truly make a difference. Start your AI learning journey for free and consider paid programs for career acceleration.
Explore Scaler’s AI & Machine Learning Program today and take the next step toward a rewarding career in AI.
FAQs
Which is the best free AI course with a certificate?
Scaler Topics – Artificial Intelligence Tutorial and Google’s “AI for Everyone” are among the best free AI courses with certificates for beginners. They cover fundamental AI concepts and offer valid certificates.
Can I get a job after completing a free AI course?
Completing a free AI course alone is usually not enough for entry-level AI jobs. Recruiters expect hands-on project experience and knowledge of advanced topics. Combining free courses with paid programs or self-driven projects increases job prospects.
Do free AI certifications have value?
Free AI certifications validate your commitment to learning but have limited weight compared to full program certificates and practical experience. They are valuable for portfolio building and early-stage career exploration.
How long does it take to complete an AI course?
Free AI courses can take from a few hours (for introductory tutorials) to several weeks (for more detailed audit courses). Paid AI programs like Scaler’s usually span 6 to 9 months.
What is the difference between free AI courses and paid AI programs?
Free AI courses tend to cover foundational concepts without mentorship, projects, or placement assistance. Paid programs offer structured learning paths, advanced topics, mentorship, projects simulating workplace challenges, and direct recruiter connections.