Best Microsoft AI Courses and Certifications for FREE in 2024

Two years ago, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot was released. That seemingly innocuous release set off an AI revolution that has completely changed the digital landscape. Since then, thousands of AI models, tools, and platforms have been released, each better than the last. 

In this tech-driven world, AI has become a part of our daily lives. From healthcare to finance and education, it is changing the world we live in. Given how dependent people have become, AI’s importance cannot be overstated. It can reveal previously unachievable insights, automate mundane tasks, and solve complicated problems. As AI develops, it will accelerate economic growth and open doors for new technologies that will raise living standards and increase productivity.

Plus, AI is emerging as one of the biggest and most lucrative career options at present. To build a career in AI, it is important to have the right skills, knowledge, and training. 

Luckily, there are a plethora of AI courses and certifications that are available on the internet for free. These courses can be taken by everyone and provide an opportunity for you to improve your knowledge about AI. 

Tech giants like Microsoft also offer free AI courses and certifications that can be taken by anyone across the world. From machine learning to natural language processing, these courses cover a wide range of topics that are essential for a successful career in AI. With hands-on exercises and real-world examples, you’ll gain practical experience that will prepare you for the challenges of working in this field. 

LIST OF FREE AI COURSES BY MICROSOFT IN 2024

Course Name	Duration	Level	Key Topics	Course Link
Using Azure OpenAI Service	NA	Intermediate	Prompt engineering, Responsible Generative AI, GitHub Copilot, Azure OpenAI	Using Azure OpenAI Service
AI for Beginners	12 weeks	Beginner	Prompt engineering, Responsible Generative AI, GitHub Copilot, Azure OpenAI	AI for Beginners
Generative AI for Beginners (Version 2)	12 weeks	Beginner	AI, Symbolic AI, Neural Networks, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, AI Ethics	Generative AI for beginners
Create custom Machine Learning models	1 or 2 weeks	Beginner	Azure Machine Learning, Machine Learning models	Create custom Machine Learning models
Using AI in your everyday work: GitHub Copilot	NA	Advanced	GitHub Copilot, GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio	Using AI in your everyday work

Using Azure OpenAI Service

What We Like

• Comprehensive coverage of generative AI, copilots, and large language models.
• Detailed guidance on using Azure OpenAI Service.
• Emphasis on prompt engineering to enhance AI responses.
• Inclusion of responsible AI principles to ensure ethical AI development.
• Accessible training modules and documentation.
• Video content for visual learners.

What We Don’t Like

• Some modules may be time-consuming.
• Limited hands-on practice opportunities.
• The potential need for prior knowledge in AI and machine learning.
• Specific focus on Azure might limit applicability to other platforms.

About the Course: The course is a great way to dive into the world of generative AI and learn how to apply it using Azure OpenAI Service. It is designed to give you a solid foundation and practical knowledge on prompt engineering and even explores Bing Copilot. Additionally, it also puts a strong emphasis on responsible AI principles, making sure that ethical considerations are at the forefront of AI advancements.

The course has a mix of modules, documentation, and video content, so you can choose the learning style that suits you best. However, the course might require some time commitment and a bit of prior knowledge. 

COURSE DETAILS

Provider	Microsoft
Duration	NA
Level	Intermediate
Description	“Get the resources you need to access Azure OpenAI’s powerful large language model to enable various natural processing solutions to understand, converse, and generate content for your business.”
Key Topics	Prompt engineering, Responsible Generative AI, GitHub Copilot, Azure OpenAI
Correct URL Link to Course	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/collections/20mirj4odnj6o

AI for Beginners

What We Like

• Beginner-friendly approach to AI.
• Comprehensive 12-week, 24-lesson curriculum.
• Coverage of practical lessons, quizzes, and labs.
• Utilizes popular frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch.
• Detailed coverage of neural networks and deep learning.
• Availability of pre-reading material and executable Jupyter Notebooks.

What We Don’t Like

• Some topics may not cover the latest state-of-the-art models.
• Excludes business cases of AI and practical applications using Cognitive Services.
• Does not cover specific ML Cloud Frameworks like Azure Machine Learning in detail.
• Limited focus on conversational AI and chatbots.

About the Course: The “Artificial Intelligence for Beginners” is a curriculum consisting of a structured 12-week, 24-lesson journey that delves into the world of AI. Specially designed for beginners, it provides a blend of theory and hands-on practice through lessons, quizzes, and labs. Some of the key areas covered include symbolic AI, neural networks, computer vision, natural language processing, and using popular tools like TensorFlow and PyTorch. Additionally, this beginner-friendly course introduces less common AI methods, such as genetic algorithms and multi-agent systems, while emphasizing ethical considerations in AI development. 

COURSE DETAILS

Provider	Microsoft
Duration	12 weeks
Level	Beginner
Description	“It includes practical lessons, quizzes, and labs. The curriculum is beginner-friendly and covers tools like TensorFlow and PyTorch, as well as ethics in AI.”
Key Topics	AI, Symbolic AI, Neural Networks, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, AI Ethics
Correct URL Link to Course	https://microsoft.github.io/AI-For-Beginners/

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Generative AI for Beginners (Version 2)

What We Like

• A comprehensive 18-lesson course covering Generative AI from basics to advanced topics.
• Lessons include both “Learn” concepts and “Build” code examples in Python and TypeScript.
• Each lesson features a “Keep Learning” section for additional resources.
• Practical setup guide for development environments.
• Includes resources for deploying advanced code samples.

What We Don’t Like

• Requires access to Azure OpenAI Service or OpenAI API for coding lessons.
• Basic knowledge of Python or TypeScript is assumed.
• May be overwhelming for absolute beginners without prior programming experience.
• Limited focus on specific industry applications.

About the Course: This is a thorough 18-lesson course designed to relay the fundamentals of building Generative AI applications. Each lesson covers a distinct topic, such as understanding large language models (LLMs), creating advanced prompts, and building various AI applications. With practical coding examples in both Python and TypeScript, the lessons are designed for beginners. Also, the course offers video introductions, written lessons, code samples, and additional resources. It offers a solid foundation of generative AI for beginners. 

COURSE DETAILS

Provider	Microsoft Cloud Advocates
Duration	14-16 weeks
Level	Beginner
Description	“Learn the fundamentals of building Generative AI applications with our 18-lesson comprehensive course by Microsoft Cloud Advocates.”
Key Topics	Generative AI, LLMs, Text Prompts, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), Vector Databases
Correct URL Link to Course	https://microsoft.github.io/generative-ai-for-beginners/#/?id=generative-ai-for-beginners-version-2-a-course

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Create custom Machine Learning models

What We Like

• Comprehensive resources for creating and running machine learning models.
• Detailed guidance on using Azure Machine Learning.
• Covers the full process from data exploration to model deployment.
• Step-by-step learning paths with practical modules.
• AI Builder enables model creation without requiring extensive data science expertise.

What We Don’t Like

• Limited hands-on practice for users not familiar with Azure.
• Assumes a basic understanding of machine learning concepts.

About the Course: This course gives an overview of tools and resources for building and running custom machine-learning models. It focuses on Azure Machine Learning. With this, you can learn creation of models, data handling, and automation of model selection. It also includes detailed documentation and learning paths and provides a structured approach to learning. The course is designed for beginners without any prior knowledge of machine learning. 

COURSE DETAILS

Provider	Microsoft Cloud
Duration	1 or 2 weeks
Level	Beginner
Description	“Discover tools for building and running your own models from your own data, while developing your machine learning skills through the resources in this Microsoft Learn Official Collection.”
Key Topics	Azure Machine Learning, Machine Learning models
Correct URL Link to Course	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/collections/5m3syp2eex2rm

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Using AI in your everyday work: GitHub Copilot

What We Like

• A comprehensive introduction to GitHub Copilot.
• Practical video series covering a range of applications.
• Specific guidance for using GitHub Copilot with Visual Studio.
• Detailed learning paths and documentation for deeper understanding.
• Offers a hands-on learning experience with practical examples.

.

What We Don’t Like

• Requires familiarity with GitHub and basic coding skills.
• Some content might be too basic for experienced developers.
• Specific focus on Visual Studio may not appeal to developers using other IDEs.

About the Course: This advanced course by Microsoft gives a detailed overview of utilizing GitHub Copilot to streamline coding tasks. You will get an introduction to GitHub Copilot, a video series on learning AI with the tool, and episodes on integrating Copilot with Visual Studio. Additionally, it offers practical examples and real-life use cases to demonstrate how Copilot can enhance coding efficiency. If you are a developer with coding experience and GitHub knowledge and are looking to expand into AI, then this course is perfect for you. 

COURSE DETAILS

Provider	Microsoft Cloud
Duration	NA
Level	Advanced
Description	“Find out how to use AI every day to streamline your work with GitHub Copilot. Watch videos and work through a learning path, as you get an introduction, explore the fundamentals, and learn about GitHub Copilot and GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio.”
Key Topics	GitHub Copilot, GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio
Correct URL Link to Course	https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/collections/nq2b20y286pnj

Conclusion

Whether you are a student looking to build a career in AI, or an experienced developer wanting to expand your domain to AI, these AI courses offered by Microsoft are great for learning and developing your skills. By taking these courses, you can greatly enhance your career opportunities and professional growth.

Recommended reading:

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Best Google AI Courses and Certifications for FREE 

Best Microsoft AI Courses and Certifications for FREE 

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