Work smarter with AI is a free beginner course from Microsoft Learn, online. It takes under 1 hour and ends with a free badge.
A short, free introduction for office workers who use Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and want to see where Copilot fits. In about 42 minutes it covers generative AI basics, grounding, when agents help and responsible use, with a Microsoft Learn trophy at the end. It's a single module, so treat it as a taster, and it's framed around Microsoft's tools. To go further on agents, try Gen AI Agents: Transform Your Organization from Google Cloud.
A single-module introduction to using Microsoft Copilot at work: generative AI basics, grounding, when agents help and responsible use.
More courses on generative AI and on AI agents and agentic AI.
See also: Microsoft Copilot training.
Business professionals, Everyone (no background needed).
Level: beginner (as stated by the provider). Delivery: online, self-paced.
Familiarity with Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
Free.
Certificate: free badge. Microsoft Learn trophy (path completion).
Microsoft is based in the US. We checked this course on the provider's own page on 12 Oct 2026.
It is free to take. We show any paid extras, such as a certificate, as the provider prices them.
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.
It's free.
Under 1 hour, self-paced.
Yes: free badge. The provider calls it "Microsoft Learn trophy (path completion)".
It's a beginner course. Prerequisites: Familiarity with Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Start any time.
Most are. Agent in a Day - Online workshop and Build foundational generative AI skills are free or free to learn, as are 7 others; the rest are paid.
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate: Paid. Price not shown by provider. Fees are shown as Microsoft shows them and never converted.
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 |
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