By Quick answer: What free AI courses do OpenAI, Anthropic and Google offer?
- OpenAI — OpenAI Academy.
- Anthropic — Anthropic Academy.
- Google — Kaggle, AI Essentials (aid).
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn.
Key takeaways
- AI companies teach their own tools free.
- Neutral courses help compare tools fairly.
- Pair company courses with a proctored exam for job proof.
The companies building AI now teach it for free. Their courses show how to use and build with their own tools. These seven are the best free options, plus two neutral introductions.
Seven free AI courses
Free outright except Google AI Essentials (free via Coursera aid) and AI for Everyone (free to audit). Checked 3 November 2026.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OpenAI AcademyOpenAI | Free1 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 2 | Anthropic Academy – Claude CoursesAnthropic | Free2 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 3 | Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)Kaggle (Google) | Free3 | Short micro-courses, a few hours each | Free test |
| 4 | Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingMicrosoft | Free4 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 5 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan5 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | Free test |
| 6 | Elements of AIUniversity of Helsinki & MinnaLearn | Free6 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 7 | AI For EveryoneDeepLearning.AI / Coursera | Free to audit on Coursera7 | About 7 hours | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Prompt Engineering CertificationPractise for OpenAI Academy before you pay.Start free test →
- Context Engineering Certification TestPractise for Anthropic Academy – Claude Courses before you pay.Start free test →
- Machine Learning Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL) before you pay.Start free test →
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training before you pay.Start free test →
Each course, and what it teaches
- OpenAIOpenAI AcademyChatGPT and OpenAI toolsFree
- AnthropicAnthropic Academy – Claude CoursesClaude and building with itFree
- KaggleKaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)ML basics, GoogleFree
OpenAI Academy
- Cost
- Free1
Free learning on ChatGPT and OpenAI's tools. OpenAI Academy's free learning covers using ChatGPT and OpenAI's tools effectively at work and in education. It's practical and tool-specific, so pair it with a tool-neutral course if you use several assistants.
Best forChatGPT and OpenAI tools
Anthropic Academy – Claude Courses
- Cost
- Free2
Free courses on using and building with Claude. Anthropic Academy's free courses teach how to use Claude well and how to build with Anthropic's API, from everyday prompting to developer workflows. They suit both professionals and developers.
Best forClaude and building with it
Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)
- Cost
- Free3
- Time
- Short micro-courses, a few hours each
Free ML micro-courses with certificates. Kaggle's free micro-courses cover Python, pandas, SQL, data visualisation and machine learning, each in a few hours with hands-on notebooks and a free certificate. They're ideal practice alongside a structured course.
Best forML basics, Google
Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training
- Cost
- Free4
Free AI and Azure training. Microsoft Learn's free learning paths and sandboxes cover every Microsoft certification, from Azure and AI to Power BI. The training is free; only the certification exams are paid, and they're priced by country.
Best forAzure AI, Microsoft
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan5
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Google's AI course; free via Coursera aid. Google's short course teaches practical generative AI for everyday work: drafting, research, analysis and using AI responsibly. It needs no technical background and takes under ten hours, so it suits almost any professional who wants to use AI tools with more confidence.
Best forGoogle, free via aid
Elements of AI
- Cost
- Free6
- Time
- Self-paced
A free, neutral introduction to AI. The University of Helsinki and MinnaLearn's free, self-paced course explains AI concepts without code, from machine learning basics to societal impact. It's one of the most accessible introductions to AI for anyone.
Best forneutral introduction
AI For Everyone
- Cost
- Free to audit on Coursera7
- Time
- About 7 hours
Andrew Ng's non-technical AI course; free to audit. Andrew Ng's non-technical course explains what AI can and can't do, how AI projects work and how to plan for AI in an organisation. It takes about seven hours, can be audited free on Coursera and is a strong first step for managers and non-specialists.
Best forneutral introduction
Which free AI course first?
| You want to… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Use ChatGPT well | OpenAI Academy |
| Use or build with Claude | Anthropic Academy |
| Learn ML basics | Kaggle |
| Understand AI neutrally | Elements of AI |
Table: Choosing a free AI course
How we ranked these picks
We listed AI courses free from AI companies and neutral providers as of 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does OpenAI offer free courses?
Yes, through OpenAI Academy.
Does Anthropic offer free courses?
Yes, through Anthropic Academy.
Are Google AI courses free?
Kaggle is free; AI Essentials needs payment or Coursera aid.
Do these give certificates?
Some do; check each course.
Is there a free AI test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free AI and prompt engineering tests.
Sources
- OpenAI — OpenAI Academy, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Anthropic — Anthropic Academy – Claude Courses, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Kaggle (Google) — Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google AI Essentials, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- University of Helsinki & MinnaLearn — Elements of AI, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- DeepLearning.AI — AI For Everyone, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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