Google AI Essentials from Coursera

Google AI Essentials is a self-paced course designed to help people across roles and industries get essential AI skills to boost their productivity, zero experience required. The course is taught by AI experts at Google who are working to make the technology helpful for everyone.

In under 10 hours, they’ll do more than teach you about AI — they’ll show you how to actually use it in the real world. Stuck at the beginning of a project? You’ll learn how to use AI tools to generate ideas and content. Planning an event? You’ll use AI tools to help research, organize, and make more informed decisions. Drowning in a flooded inbox? You’ll use AI tools to help speed up those daily work tasks, like drafting email responses. You’ll also learn how to write effective prompts and use AI responsibly by identifying AI’s potential biases and avoiding harm.

After you complete the course, you’ll earn a certificate from Google to share with your network and potential employers. By using AI as a helpful collaboration tool, you can set yourself up for success in today’s dynamic workplace — and you don’t even need programming skills to use it.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to AI

Discover how AI works and explore foundational AI concepts, such as machine learning (ML). Learn about the rise of generative AI and how to perform tasks with it. By the end of this module, you’ll have an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI tools and how to integrate generative AI in the workplace.

Maximize Productivity With AI Tools

Leverage generative AI tools to speed up work tasks and boost your productivity. Examine the important role humans play in the effective use of AI, and understand the types of workplace tasks you can augment with AI. By the end of this module, you will be able to determine if AI is right for a given task and how to use AI to accelerate workflows.

Discover the Art of Prompt Engineering

Write effective prompts to get the output you want. Learn how to incorporate prompting techniques, such as few-shot prompting, into your work. Understand how generative AI tools produce output and the importance of evaluating output before using it. By the end of this module, you will be able to write clear and specific prompts and produce outputs that help accomplish workplace tasks.

Use AI Responsibly

Use AI responsibly by mitigating unfair biases and inaccuracies. Learn how to apply a framework of AI harms to sample workplace scenarios and recognize the security risks of using AI in the workplace. By the end of this module, you will gain an understanding of how to use AI responsibly and effectively, and a checklist to help you do it.

Stay Ahead of the AI Curve

Continue developing your skills within the current and emerging AI landscape. Learn about the ways organizations have leveraged AI and consider how these innovations may inspire your own AI-powered workplace solutions. By the end of this module, you will develop a strategy to stay up-to-date with future AI developments.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches how to use AI as a collaborative tool, which is a highly sought-after skill in today's job market

Taught by Google AI experts, who are recognized for their work in making AI helpful for everyone

Develops the ability to use AI to speed up work tasks and boost productivity, which is a key factor for workplace success

Examines the ethical implications of using AI responsibly, which is a critical skill in a world that is increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence

Utilizes a hands-on approach, which allows learners to apply AI tools and techniques in real-world scenarios

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Google AI Essentials with these activities:

Review of foundational AI concepts

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Refreshes your understanding of essential AI concepts, setting a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on AI Concepts

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Revisit the definitions and examples of key AI concepts like supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning
Go through your notes or study materials on algorithms commonly used in AI, such as linear regression, decision trees, and neural networks.

Review of AI ethics and responsible use

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Strengthens your understanding of ethical considerations in AI, ensuring you use AI responsibly and mitigate potential harm.

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Review the ethical principles and guidelines for AI development and deployment.
Examine case studies of AI systems that have exhibited biases or caused unintended consequences.
Discuss strategies for mitigating AI biases and promoting fairness and transparency.

Connect with AI experts and practitioners

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Provides opportunities to connect with experts in the field, gaining insights and guidance to enhance your AI knowledge and skills.

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Attend industry events, webinars, or online forums to meet and interact with AI professionals.
Reach out to AI experts on LinkedIn or other professional networking platforms for mentorship or guidance.

Four other activities

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Practice generative AI techniques

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Provides hands-on practice with generative AI techniques, enhancing your understanding of their capabilities.

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Experiment with different generative AI tools like GPT-3 or DALL-E to generate text, images, or code.
Try out various prompts and techniques to improve the quality and relevance of the generated output.

Explore real-world AI applications

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Exposes you to practical examples of AI being applied in various industries, showcasing its real-world impact.

Browse courses on AI Applications

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Find and review case studies or articles that demonstrate how AI is being used in specific industries like healthcare, finance, or manufacturing.
Analyze the challenges and benefits of implementing AI solutions in these real-world scenarios.
Consider how you could apply similar AI techniques to your own work or personal projects.

Practice writing effective prompts

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Improves your ability to craft effective prompts, maximizing the quality and relevance of AI-generated outputs.

Browse courses on Prompt Engineering

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Learn about different prompt engineering techniques, such as few-shot prompting and zero-shot prompting.
Practice writing clear, concise, and informative prompts that align with your desired outcomes.
Experiment with different variations of prompts to observe how they influence the generated output.

Create an AI-powered solution for a workplace task

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Challenges you to apply your AI skills to solve a real-world workplace problem, demonstrating your ability to use AI effectively.

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Identify a specific workplace task that could benefit from AI assistance.
Research and select appropriate AI tools and techniques for the task.
Develop and implement an AI-powered solution that automates or enhances the task.
Evaluate the effectiveness of your solution and make improvements as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Google AI Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine learning engineers are responsible for designing, building, and deploying machine learning models. They work closely with data scientists to ensure that models are accurate and efficient. The Google AI Essentials course can provide machine learning engineers with a solid foundation in the concepts and techniques of machine learning, as well as experience in using Google's own machine learning tools and platforms.

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Data Engineer

Data engineers design and build the systems that store and process data. They work with data scientists and other stakeholders to ensure that data is available and accessible for analysis. The Google AI Essentials course can help data engineers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as data management and data analysis. These skills can help data engineers develop more scalable and efficient data systems.

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Data Scientist

Data scientists use their knowledge of AI and machine learning to build models that can predict future outcomes or identify patterns in data that can help businesses make better decisions. They may also work on developing new AI algorithms and techniques. The Google AI Essentials course can provide a foundation in the concepts and applications of machine learning, which is a core skill for data scientists, helping them build models that can solve real-world problems.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts sift through troves of information, searching for insights and trends to help businesses make the most of their data resources. The Google AI Essentials course can help one become a data analyst by providing a solid foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as machine learning and natural language processing. These are essential skills for data analysts, as they allow them to automate many of the tasks involved in data analysis, such as data cleaning and feature engineering.

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Web Developer

Web developers design and develop websites and web applications. They work with users to understand their needs and then develop websites that meet those needs. The Google AI Essentials course can help web developers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as user experience design and data analysis. These skills can help web developers develop more user-friendly and effective websites and web applications.

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Software Developer

Software developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with users to understand their needs and then develop software that meets those needs. The Google AI Essentials course can help software developers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as machine learning and data analysis. These skills can help software developers develop more innovative and effective software applications.

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use data to evaluate and forecast the financial performance of companies or other entities. They work with investors, creditors, and other stakeholders to provide financial advice and make recommendations. The Google AI Essentials course can help financial analysts become more efficient and effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as data analysis and financial modeling. These skills can help financial analysts develop more accurate financial forecasts and make better investment decisions.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts use data to identify and solve business problems. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and then use data to develop solutions that meet those needs. The Google AI Essentials course can help business analysts become more efficient and effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as data analysis and visualization. These skills can help business analysts identify trends and patterns in data that can help them make better decisions and develop more effective solutions to business problems.

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Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products or services. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products meet the needs of customers. The Google AI Essentials course can help product managers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as user experience design and data analysis. These skills can help product managers develop products that are more user-friendly and meet the needs of customers.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students at all levels, from preschool to college. They work with students to develop their knowledge, skills, and abilities, and help them reach their full potential. The Google AI Essentials course can help teachers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as personalized learning and data analysis. These skills can help teachers develop more engaging and effective lesson plans and help their students learn more effectively.

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Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with stakeholders to define project goals and objectives, and then develop and implement plans to achieve those goals. The Google AI Essentials course can help project managers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as risk management and resource allocation. These skills can help project managers plan and execute projects more efficiently and effectively.

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Sales Manager

Sales managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. They work with sales reps to develop and execute sales strategies, and then track and measure results. The Google AI Essentials course can help sales managers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as customer relationship management and data analysis. These skills can help sales managers develop more effective sales strategies and close more deals.

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Operations Manager

Operations managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They work with employees to ensure that the business runs smoothly and efficiently. The Google AI Essentials course can help operations managers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as process improvement and data analysis. These skills can help operations managers identify and solve problems more efficiently and effectively. Also, the Google AI Essentials course can help operations managers to make more informed decisions by analyzing data and identifying trends.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to businesses and other organizations. They work with clients to identify and solve problems, and then develop and implement solutions. The Google AI Essentials course can help consultants become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as data analysis and problem-solving. These skills can help consultants develop more innovative solutions and help their clients achieve their goals.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work with stakeholders to define marketing goals and objectives, and then develop and implement plans to achieve those goals. The Google AI Essentials course can help marketing managers become more effective in their work by providing them with a foundation in the concepts and techniques of AI, such as data analysis and digital marketing. These skills can help marketing managers develop more effective marketing campaigns that reach their target audience.

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