Google · on Coursera
Google AI Essentials is a paid beginner course from Google, online. It costs USD 49/month (price shown in USD). It takes about 8 hours and ends with a professional certificate.
Suits beginners who want a widely shared certificate and hands-on practice with Gemini. Five courses cover AI basics, productivity, prompting, responsible use and keeping up with AI. Coursera's module times add up to 8 hours, though Google's own page says under 5. The main caveat is cost: USD 49 a month after a 7-day free trial (US/Canada pricing, varies by country), with financial aid available. For a free start, try AI Boost Bootcamp: How to Use Gemini at Work 101 from Google.
Google's five-course beginner programme on Coursera covering AI basics, productivity with AI tools, prompting, responsible use and keeping up with AI, with hands-on Gemini activities.
More courses on generative AI and on prompt engineering.
Everyone (no background needed), Business professionals.
Level: beginner (as stated by the provider). Delivery: online, self-paced.
None
USD 49/month (price shown in USD). USD 49/month after 7-day free trial (US/Canada pricing; varies by country); financial aid available.
Certificate: professional certificate. Google AI Essentials certificate.
We checked this course on the provider's own page on 12 Oct 2026.
The provider shows prices in US dollars (USD). We show them as shown and never convert them to pounds.
If you want a free, government-backed start instead, AI Skills Boost gives every adult in the UK free AI courses, and finishing selected ones earns an AI foundations badge.
None of the UK funding schemes we track pays for this course. See free and funded training by nation for what is funded where you live.
Other UK courses on generative AI: An Introduction to AI (North East Scotland College), Using GenAI with Confidence for University & College Professional Services Staff (University of Edinburgh), AI Academy – Hands On AI Masterclass (NI Chamber).
See also: free and funded training by nation.
USD 49/month (price shown in USD).
About 8 hours, self-paced.
Yes: professional certificate. The provider calls it "Google AI Essentials certificate".
It's a beginner course. Prerequisites: None.
Start any time.
Most are. AI Boost Bootcamp: How to Use Gemini at Work 101 and Enterprise Agents and Use Cases are free or free to learn, as are 5 others; the rest are paid.
Cardiff and Vale College
Next intake not announced
Cardiff and Vale College
Next: 8 Mar 2027
Cardiff and Vale College
Next: 18 Jan 2027
| Course | Delivery | Cost | Level | Hours | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence (AI) in Key Stage 3 computingNational Centre for Computing Education | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 3 | Certificate not stated |
| Build foundational generative AI skillsMicrosoft Learn | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | Not stated | Free badge |
| ChatGPT Foundations for TeachersOpenAI on Coursera | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 5 | No certificate |
| Claude 101Anthropic Academy | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | Not stated | Free certificate |
Free alternative: AI Agents Course from Hugging Face Learn, free certificate.
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