Udemezue John
Introduction.
Generative AI is everywhere, from creating realistic images to writing essays, and it’s only getting more exciting.
With tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and academic institutions jumping on the trend, 2025 looks like a fantastic year to explore this field. The best part? You don’t need to spend a dime to get started!
Let me walk you through seven free courses that can help you learn generative AI, whether you’re just starting or want to deepen your understanding.
Why Generative AI?
Before diving into the courses, let’s quickly touch on why generative AI is so cool. Unlike traditional AI that just analyzes data, generative AI creates something new—whether it’s art, text, or even music.
It powers tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E, which have become part of everyday conversations.
With industries like marketing, healthcare, and entertainment adopting it, having generative AI skills on your resume is a big deal. Now, let’s get to the good stuff: the courses.
1. Introduction to Generative AI by Google Cloud
Where to find it: Google Cloud Skills Boost
Why it’s great: This is the perfect course if you’re a beginner. It explains what generative AI is, how it differs from traditional AI, and its real-world applications.
You’ll also get a brief overview of tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)
What you’ll learn:
- Basics of generative AI
- How LLMs like ChatGPT work
- Real-world use cases
2. Introduction to Large Language Models (LLMs)
Where to find it: Google Cloud Skills Boost
Why it’s great: If you’re curious about how ChatGPT understands and generates text, this course is for you. It explains how LLMs are trained, where they can be applied, and the role of prompt engineering
What you’ll learn:
- Fundamentals of LLMs
- How to craft effective prompts
- Applications in chatbots and virtual assistants
3. Introduction to Image Generation
Where to find it: Google Cloud Skills Boost
Why it’s great: Ever wondered how AI can generate realistic images? This course introduces you to diffusion models and other techniques used to create images from text descriptions
What you’ll learn:
- Basics of image generation
- How diffusion models work
- Ethical considerations in image creation
4. Attention Mechanism and Transformer Models
Where to find it: Google Cloud Skills Boost
Why it’s great: This course dives into the tech behind LLMs like BERT and GPT. It’s a bit more advanced, so some background in machine learning is helpful
What you’ll learn:
- How attention mechanisms enhance AI models
- Building blocks of Transformer models
- Practical applications in language translation and summarization
5. Create Image Captioning Models
Where to find it: Google Cloud Skills Boost
Why it’s great: This is hands-on and teaches you how to build a model that generates captions for images. It’s perfect if you enjoy projects where you can apply what you learn
What you’ll learn:
- Basics of image captioning
- Deep learning techniques for vision and language tasks
- Building and testing your model
6. Generative AI Fundamentals
Where to find it: Google Cloud Skills Boost
Why it’s great: Think of this as a summary course that ties together what you’ve learned in previous modules. There are quizzes and labs to test your knowledge
What you’ll learn:
- Review of key concepts
- Practical applications in different industries
- Hands-on labs to apply your skills
7. Introduction to Responsible AI
Where to find it: Google Cloud Skills Boost
Why it’s great: As AI gets more powerful, knowing how to use it ethically is super important. This course focuses on AI ethics, privacy, and social responsibility.
What you’ll learn:
- Google’s AI Principles
- Ethical considerations in AI
- How to implement responsible AI practices
FAQs
Q: Do I need any prior experience to take these courses?
Not for all of them! Courses like “Introduction to Generative AI” and “Introduction to Large Language Models” are beginner-friendly.
Some advanced courses, like those on Transformer models, recommend basic knowledge of machine learning and Python.
Q: How long do these courses take?
Each course takes about a day to complete, depending on how fast you go through the material. Some also include hands-on labs that might take a bit longer.
Q: Will I get a certificate?
Yes! Most of these courses offer a digital certificate upon completion, which you can add to your LinkedIn profile or resume
Ready to Start Learning?
Generative AI is shaping the future, and these free courses are a great way to jump in. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a student, or someone looking to upskill, there’s something here for everyone.
Which of these courses are you most excited to try first?
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