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Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
6 free AI courses from Google, Harvard, and IBM to future-proof your career
The world is evolving rapidly, and stagnancy is not an option. Artificial intelligence (AI) is briskly reshaping industries. It is not only setting new standards for innovation; it is virtually changing careers. If you are a student or working professional, or if you are simply curious about what's happening around you, knowing the basics of AI is the best way to stay abreast of the changing world. Since the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in 2022, each day presents a new use case of the disruptive technology, amplifying fears of job displacement. In times like these, upskilling is no longer a luxury but a necessity. As of today, companies around the world are looking for individuals who can not only understand AI but also apply their knowledge and even collaborate with AI tools to solve problems and drive growth. Learning AI skills is, in a way, future-proofing one's career, as it is likely to present new opportunities. From healthcare to finance, education, and entertainment, AI is making rapid strides in every sector. For those equipped with AI skills, the time is right to take advantage. However, if you are thinking of upskilling, you are also getting apprehensive about the cost. The good news is that you need not break the bank to get started. Numerous renowned institutions and tech companies are offering top-quality AI courses for free. Be it a deep dive on machine learning, knowing the ethics of AI, or just a hands-on introduction, there is a wide range of free courses to pick from. In this article, we have listed some of the best AI courses that may help you level up at zero charge. Google: Google AI for Anyone In case you are new to all the AI cacophony, this is the perfect starting point for you. The search giant is offering a beginner's course for anyone who wants to learn how AI is applied to real-world situations. The course is being offered through the online education platform edX and is a self-paced course, meaning one can finish it at their own pace. The course takes about four weeks to complete if the learner dedicates two to three hours a week. According to the platform, as the name suggests, one need not be well-versed in computer science or mathematics or have any background in AI. No programming knowledge is required either. The course will have Laurence Moroney, lead AI advocate at Google, as the instructor. Students will get to learn what AI is, how it fits with ML and deep learning, the significance of data, applications of AI, etc. AI for Everyone by Andrew Ng This is yet another foundational course that has been designed to help learners understand AI. The course comprises four modules and offers a flexible schedule. It is being offered by Coursera and has a 4.8 rating, with 98 per cent of learners reporting that they liked the course. Moreover, learners will also get a shareable certificate that they can add to their LinkedIn profiles. In terms of the modules, students will get to learn what AI is, build AI projects, build AI for companies, and learn about AI and society. The course is instructed by Andrew Ng, a renowned British-American computer scientist and technology entrepreneur. He was a co-founder and head of Google Brain, and has also served as the chief AI scientist at Chinese tech giant Baidu. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) by IBM This course being offered by IBM through Coursera is a great way to enhance one's career. The beginners' level course is flexible and can be completed at one's convenience. It has four modules, namely, introduction and applications of AI; AI concepts, terminology, and application domains; business and career transformation through AI; and issues, concerns, and ethical considerations. Students taking this course will get to learn new concepts from industry experts and gain foundational understanding of a subject or a tool. Moreover, they will also be able to develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects. Most importantly, learners will earn shareable career certificates. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python by Harvard University This is among the most popular free online courses being offered by Harvard University. One of the prerequisites to access this course is that the learner should have taken Harvard University's CS50 Introduction to Computer Science course via the edX platform. This is a seven-week course that will touch upon AI algorithms, machine translation, handwriting recognition, game-playing engines, etc. Learners are required to commit around 10 to 30 hours per week to complete the course. The module includes hands-on projects and lectures by David J. Malan, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science at Harvard University, and Brian Yu, Senior Preceptor in Computer Science at Harvard University. Even though this course requires CS50 and prior programming experience in Python, it is among one of the best programmes to pursue if one desires to upgrade their career. Generative AI at SAP This course by software giant SAP focuses on how generative AI is redefining businesses within SAP's ecosystem. The course explains some foundational concepts such as large language models along with showcasing real-world applications. This course has been tailored to suit business professionals and offers an in-depth understanding of how to use AI for innovations within organisations. The online course covers different approaches to AI and shows different use cases. It allows students to identify fundamental uses and business benefits of AI. The course is free and is self-paced; however, it does not offer a badge or certificate. Introduction to Generative AI by Google Cloud This is a micro-learning course offering the fundamentals of generative AI in just 45 minutes. It explains what generative AI is, how it operates, and what makes it different from traditional approaches to machine learning. It is ideal for creative professionals and tech enthusiasts who want to explore the role of AI in content creation and automation. As part of the programme, learners will get to explore various generative AI model types and their practical applications. Moreover, students will also get introduced to various Google tools that are instrumental in the development of generative AI tools. Upon completion, one will get a digital badge that can be shared across their social networks. While these are just a handful of courses, there are many more, and we will keep updating you about the same. It is important to understand that in order to stay relevant, one needs to adapt, learn and grow with AI.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
When AI meets EQ: How these leaders are rethinking the future of work
As organisations continue to embrace rapid digital transformation , the intersection of artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence is becoming a defining force in shaping the future of work . But are leaders evolving fast enough to balance both? According to a global survey by Six Seconds, titled ' AI and EI: Workplace Status Report ,' emotional intelligence scores have declined by 5.5% since 2019, with rising levels of stress, burnout, and loneliness reported across the workforce. This emotional downturn hasn't been caused by AI alone, but its rapid implementation, often without adequate focus on the human experience, has become a contributing factor to what experts are calling a metacrisis of disconnection at work. In other words, the promise of smarter systems must be matched by smarter, more empathetic leadership. Without this balance, organisations risk creating more disengaged environments even as they invest heavily in innovation. To explore how leading organisations in the Middle East are navigating this delicate balance, using AI to enhance, not erode, the human connection, ETHRWorld Middle East organised a thought-provoking panel discussion titled " AI meets EQ: Shaping the future of HR leadership in the age of connection ," at The Economic Times Future Forward Middle East Summit 2025. During the session, Global Head - Solution Advisory - HCM & Global Payroll at Ramco Systems; Ahmed Al Mheiri, Senior Vice President, Group Human Capital Shared Services at ADNOC; Carys Richards, Executive Vice President People - International at Mastercard; Suhrid Chaudhuri, Executive Vice President, Group People Strategy at Al Ghurair; and Haitham Akl, Chief Human Capital Officer at Ajlan & Bros Holding (Chair) shared their insights on the evolving role of AI and emotional intelligence in reshaping the employee experience and driving business success. Let's explore a few key takeaways from their discussion. Implement AI with a conscious focus on human emotions and needs Ahmed Al Mheiri discussed how AI and emotional intelligence (EQ) work hand-in-hand to enhance human capital strategies. 'AI can revolutionise how we work, but it must be embedded thoughtfully with an understanding of human emotions and needs,' he explained. He further shed light on several initiatives at ADNOC, showcasing how the company seamlessly integrates AI with empathy to drive success. One notable example is the 'AI to AI: The Power of Artificial Intelligence' initiative, which aims to guide employees through the technological transformation with empathy and care. Another successful initiative he highlighted is the 'AI for Everyone' training programme, which has successfully educated over 30,000 employees so far. This initiative was designed not only to upskill employees but also to ease any anxieties surrounding the introduction of AI. All these initiatives play an essential role in blending AI with emotional intelligence , further ensuring that employees feel empowered rather than overwhelmed by the new technology. As a result, it leads to smoother transitions, higher employee engagement, and better outcomes for both employees and the organisation. Ensure AI complements, not replaces, the human connection Carys Richards emphasised the importance of AI complementing, rather than replacing, the human connection in the workplace. She shared an example from Mastercard, where AI is integrated into their talent marketplace, 'Unlocked', to match employees with personalised learning opportunities and mentors. In her view, AI aids employees in identifying career growth paths, but it's the leaders who provide the critical context and direction. 'Leaders bring the personal touch that AI cannot, guiding employees on how to leverage the tool for real, meaningful growth,' Carys explained. This dynamic approach ensures that AI is used as a starting point for meaningful conversations, enriching the employee experience while reinforcing the value of human leadership in career development. Empathy complements AI in creating people-centric HR solutions Shailaja emphasised that AI must be complemented by an empathetic HR approach. 'AI can identify distress patterns, such as financial strain, which can help HR leaders offer proactive support to employees. This combination of AI and empathy fosters trust and retention,' she noted. She further highlighted how AI in payroll and HR systems personalises employee experiences, improving both efficiency and satisfaction. For example, AI-powered chatbots streamline payroll queries, while AI detects anomalies in payroll data, preventing errors. Additionally, AI aids compensation reviews by aligning performance data with company budgets, ensuring fair decisions. Challenging the status quo: AI's impact on workforce planning and human-centricity Suhrid Chaudhuri took a bold stance during the discussion, challenging the conventional narrative around AI and emotions in workforce planning. For him, AI is simply a tool, much like fire was to early humans or engines were during the Industrial Revolution. It's not something to fear, nor is it a threat to human-centric strategies; it's an opportunity to innovate and evolve. AI, he stressed, should be seen as a powerful tool that enables better decision-making, not a replacement for human insights. 'Our approach is to use AI to drive better decisions, freeing up time from mundane tasks so we can focus on adding value,' Suhrid explained. This mindset, he argued, is key to transforming workforce planning. AI allows companies to process vast amounts of data quickly, enabling more relevant and timely insights for decision-makers. However, the true effectiveness of AI depends on the quality of data fed into these systems. Without accurate, relevant input, AI can only produce so much. 'It's about the data we input, AI tools are only as good as the data they process,' he emphasised. Suhrid highlighted Al Ghurair's approach, which focuses on data-driven decision-making. They've fostered a culture where data 'ninjas', dedicated teams of data experts, ensure that AI tools are fed with clean, actionable data. This approach not only enhances productivity but also ensures that workforce planning is more agile and adaptive to today's volatile, fast-paced environment. From Suhrid's perspective, AI helps companies better navigate unpredictability by identifying trends and patterns that help them plan and adjust strategies in real time, without losing the human touch. The future of work: Embed AI into the business evolution To conclude, Haitham Akl shared his thoughts on AI's integration into business evolution that will define the future of work. 'AI is an enabler, not a replacement for human effort. It should enhance what we do and make us better,' he explained. He further emphasised that the depth of AI integration within a company depends on how each leader chooses to embrace the technology. In his vision, focusing on AI as a tool to empower employees and make smarter business decisions, companies can leverage AI to enhance both their processes and their people.
