Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the core of modern software development—powering everything from chatbots to code generators, recommendation systems, and automation tools.
For developers looking to upskill without breaking the bank, there are plenty of free AI courses available online. These programs cover everything from the basics of neural networks to prompt engineering and building large language models (LLMs).
This guide explores the top 20 free AI courses every developer should consider Learning—whether you're a beginner exploring AI for the first time or an experienced engineer looking to master advanced topics.
Before you dive into these free AI courses, set up your development stack right. Almost every AI course in this list involves calling, testing, or integrating APIs from models like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Hugging Face. Instead of juggling different tools, use Apidog — an all-in-one API platform that lets you design, mock, test, debug, and document AI-related APIs in one place. It removes all the friction so you can focus on actually building intelligent apps instead of wiring tools together.
1. Elements of AI — University of Helsinki & MinnaLearn
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: ~6 weeks (5–10 hours/week)
- Certificate: Free
- Access: Elements of AI Official Site
This globally popular course introduces the fundamentals of AI in simple, accessible language. It's ideal for anyone without a technical background and focuses on what AI can and cannot do.
Why take it: Perfect first step before moving into coding-based AI courses.
2. AI for Everyone — DeepLearning.AI / Andrew Ng (Coursera)
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: ~6 hours
- Access: AI for Everyone on Coursera
Taught by AI pioneer Andrew Ng, this course focuses on how AI impacts industries, ethics, and team collaboration. Developers will gain a big-picture understanding of AI’s business and social implications.
Pro tip: Choose the "Audit" option to access it for free.
3. Introduction to Generative AI — Google Cloud Skills Boost
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: ~8 hours
- Access: Introduction to Generative AI (Google Skill Badge)
A practical introduction to prompt design, multimodal AI, and text-to-image tools. Developers completing this course earn an official Google skill badge, showcasing their generative AI knowledge.
4. Machine Learning Crash Course — Google for Developers
Level: Beginner–Intermediate
Duration: ~15 hours
Access: Machine Learning Crash Course (Google)
One of the most hands-on free ML courses available. Learn TensorFlow fundamentals through interactive visualizations and coding exercises.
Best for: Developers ready to start coding simple ML models.
5. CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python — Harvard University
Level: Intermediate
Duration: ~7 weeks (10–30 hours/week)
Access: CS50 AI on Harvard OpenCourseWare
A Python-focused deep dive into search algorithms, neural networks, and reinforcement learning. Ideal for developers with at least one year of Python experience.
Why it's special: Taught by Harvard’s CS50 team, known for world-class teaching quality.
6. ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers — DeepLearning.AI + OpenAI
Level: Intermediate
Duration: ~1.5 hours
Access: ChatGPT Prompt Engineering on DeepLearning.AI
This short course teaches developers how to build smarter applications with LLMs like ChatGPT using effective prompt design.
Directly applicable: Learn to integrate OpenAI APIs into your projects.
7. Generative AI Full Course — freeCodeCamp
Level: Beginner
Duration: 30+ hours
Access: Generative AI Full Course on YouTube (freeCodeCamp)
A comprehensive YouTube-based program covering Gemini Pro, OpenAI, Llama, LangChain, and vector databases. Completely self-paced and 100% free.
Ideal for: Developers wanting long-form, practical video learning.
8. Introduction to Machine Learning with Azure — Microsoft (Udacity)
Level: Beginner–Intermediate
Duration: ~22 hours
Access: Introduction to Machine Learning with Azure on Udacity
Learn to combine ML fundamentals with Azure’s cloud-based AI tools. Includes hands-on labs using Microsoft’s ML services.
9. Secure and Private AI — Udacity + Facebook AI
Level: Advanced
Duration: ~120 hours
Access: Secure and Private AI on Udacity
An advanced program for developers interested in privacy-preserving AI, federated learning, and differential privacy.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with PyTorch and machine learning.
10. Introduction to Deep Learning (MIT 6.S191)
Level: Advanced
Duration: ~20 hours
Access: MIT 6.S191 Introduction to Deep Learning
MIT's flagship deep learning course explores neural networks, computer vision, and NLP. Includes lecture slides, labs, and open-source projects.
11. AI Text Summarization with Hugging Face — LinkedIn Learning
Level: Advanced
Duration: ~2 hours
Access: AI Text Summarisation with Hugging Face on LinkedIn Learning
A fast-paced, hands-on course for building summarization models using Hugging Face Transformers.
Tip: Use LinkedIn’s 1-month free trial to access it for free.
12. AWS Machine Learning Foundations — AWS x Udacity
Level: Beginner–Intermediate
Duration: ~11 hours
Access: AWS Machine Learning Foundations on Udacity
Covers ML concepts, SageMaker, and DeepRacer simulations. Great introduction to deploying AI models in the cloud.
13. Artificial Intelligence for Robotics — Stanford x Udacity
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 8 weeks (~6 hrs/week)
Access: AI for Robotics on Udacity
Taught by Sebastian Thrun, this course explores robotics, SLAM, and probabilistic inference.
Prerequisites: Python + math (linear algebra, probability).
14. Open Source Models with Hugging Face — DeepLearning.AI
Level: Beginner
Duration: ~2 hours
Access: Open Source Models with Hugging Face on DeepLearning.AI
Teaches developers how to use open-source AI models for multimodal applications. No prerequisites needed.
15. Machine Learning Interview Preparation — Udacity
Level: Intermediate
Duration: ~4 hours
Access: Machine Learning Interview Preparation on Udacity
Get ready for ML job interviews with hands-on algorithm practice and mock questions.
16. AI Fluency: Framework & Foundations — Anthropic
Level: Beginner
Duration: ~4 hours
Access: AI Fluency by Anthropic
An ethical AI literacy course built by the creators of Claude AI. Teaches responsible AI use and collaboration between humans and machines.
17. Using OpenAI APIs with Python — Codecademy
Level: Beginner
Duration: ~2 hours
Access: Using OpenAI APIs on Codecademy
Learn how to make API calls to OpenAI using Python or cURL, parse responses, and integrate AI features into real-world applications.
Includes: Free certificate of completion.
18. Machine Learning I: Building LLMs — Stanford Online
Level: Beginner–Intermediate
Duration: ~2 hours
Access: Building LLMs (Stanford Online)
An overview of how large language models like ChatGPT are trained using pretraining, fine-tuning (SFT), and RLHF techniques.
Perfect for: Developers exploring LLM architecture fundamentals.
19. AIoT Foundations — Udacity x Bosch
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 2 months (6–10 hrs/week)
Access: AIoT Foundations on Udacity
Combines AI and IoT to create smart, connected devices. Ideal for developers interested in edge AI and embedded systems.
20. Machine Learning for Beginners — Microsoft (GitHub)
Level: Beginner
Duration: 12 weeks (self-paced)
Access: Machine Learning for Beginners (Microsoft GitHub)
A structured, open-source course covering regression, NLP, and time-series forecasting with Jupyter notebooks and real datasets.
Bonus: Streamline Your AI & API Projects with Apidog
While these free AI courses help developers learn theory and build foundational skills, developing AI-powered applications often requires managing multiple APIs, authentication, and testing workflows.
That's where Apidog comes in.
Apidog is an all-in-one API development platform that simplifies how developers design, mock, test, debug and document APIs — making it perfect for AI developers integrating models like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Hugging Face APIs.
Key benefits of Apidog for AI developers:
- All-in-one API workflow: spec → mock → test → docs → publish
- AI-powered API design: visual, intelligent endpoint creation
- Smart API Debugging: environments, variables, validations, insights, request history
- One-click API mocking: mock APIs without extra configuration and unblock frontend and parallel development in seconds
- Automated API test: assertions, chained test scenarios, functional, performance, CI/CD
- Live API docs that convert: interactive, AI-powered, always in sync with access control (Public, Password, IP, Email, Custom Login)
- Built-in collaboration with confidence: comments, sharings, branching, reviews, merges, roles
- Offline space: work securely in air-gapped environments
- Distribution with API Hub: boost adoption of your public APIs
- Smooth migration: import Postman collections in minutes
With Apidog, developers can focus more on building intelligent applications—and less on repetitive setup tasks.
Final Thoughts
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the software development landscape. Whether your goal is to build an AI chatbot, train a model, or integrate generative AI into apps, these 20 free AI courses provide everything you need to get started.
Combine your learning with tools like Apidog to streamline API workflows and prototype AI features faster.
Start learning today—and build the next generation of intelligent applications.
