9 Best Free AI Courses for Business

It’s easy to feel out of touch with the latest AI technology, especially when you see people on LinkedIn talking about how much their productivity has improved. I know the feeling – it’s like everyone else is riding the AI wave while you’re still figuring out where to start.

I always tell my students that the best places to go for quality info are books, newsletters, podcasts, YouTube channels and courses.

Here, I’ve curated the best free AI courses that are practical, accessible, and focused on real-world applications for business and marketing professionals.

Note: I run in-company training and public courses on AI for marketing. More info here.

1. AI for Everyone by Andrew Ng (Coursera)

This course by Andrew Ng, co-founder of Coursera and an AI thought leader, is perfect for beginners. It provides a broad overview of what AI is, how it works, and its potential in business applications. It’s specifically geared towards non-technical professionals who want to understand how AI can solve business challenges without needing technical knowledge.

Key highlights include core AI terminology, understanding business use cases, and ethical discussions around AI. It’s an excellent entry point for anyone looking to understand the fundamentals without diving into complex details.

Why it’s great for business: This course explains AI concepts in layman’s terms, making it accessible to decision-makers and managers who need to assess AI’s potential. Understanding these basics can help make informed strategic decisions and identify opportunities for AI integration in a business context.

2. AI in Marketing by University of Virginia (Coursera)

Marketing professionals can greatly benefit from this course, which explores the use of AI in understanding customer data, personalization, and developing more effective campaigns. For example, AI has been used by Coca-Cola to analyze customer feedback from social media, helping them tailor marketing messages and develop campaigns that resonate better with their audience. The course includes case studies from real-world brands like Netflix and The Washington Post, demonstrating how AI can enhance customer engagement. You’ll also learn how to apply AI techniques to analyze consumer behavior and improve targeting.

Why it’s great for business: AI in marketing can significantly improve customer targeting and increase ROI. For example, AI can analyze large datasets to identify consumer behavior patterns, enabling more accurate targeting. Techniques like predictive analytics and recommendation systems are covered in this course, helping businesses personalize content and offers to users. For instance, Netflix uses predictive analytics to recommend shows based on viewing history, which boosts engagement. Amazon uses recommendation systems to suggest products, enhancing the user experience and driving sales. This course also helps marketers understand how data-driven decisions can impact their overall strategy, which is crucial for staying competitive.

3. Google AI for Anyone (edX)

This course provides a foundational understanding of AI concepts, including machine learning and neural networks. It’s a short, two-hour course that covers AI fundamentals, ethics, and implications. It’s beginner-friendly and provides a concise but useful overview for those wanting to grasp AI basics quickly. The course also touches on how AI is impacting different sectors.

Why it’s great for business: It’s a short but insightful course, ideal for busy professionals who need a quick overview of how AI technologies work and what they can do for business operations. Understanding these basics can help businesses recognize opportunities where AI could improve efficiency or drive growth.

4. AI for Business Leaders by LinkedIn Learning

This course is tailored for business leaders who want to understand the potential of AI in transforming business operations. It covers practical applications of AI, including improving workflows, enhancing decision-making, and streamlining processes. The course is presented in a non-technical manner, making it easy for professionals to understand without prior knowledge of AI.

Why it’s great for business: This course helps business leaders understand how AI can be applied to solve common business challenges. By learning about AI applications in different areas like customer service and operations, participants can identify where AI can add value to their organization. This ultimately improves productivity and competitiveness.

5. AI in Digital Marketing by Great Learning

This course is specifically designed for marketing professionals interested in using AI to enhance their digital strategies. It provides an in-depth exploration of how AI tools can be effectively applied in audience targeting, customer segmentation, marketing automation, and campaign optimization. Participants will learn how to harness the power of AI to create predictive models, analyze customer data, and streamline marketing workflows.

The course also includes demonstrations of practical AI tools that can save time and improve campaign outcomes, such as natural language processing (NLP) tools for content creation and machine learning algorithms for personalized marketing.

Why it’s great for business: AI-driven marketing can make campaigns more efficient and personalized, significantly boosting engagement and ROI. This course teaches participants how to use AI to refine advertising spend, tailor customer engagements, and forecast customer behaviors, which can lead to better marketing results. Moreover, it provides practical insights into AI tools that allow marketers to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time to focus on strategy and creativity.

6. AI for Business Strategy by Udemy

This course provides insights into how AI can be used strategically within businesses. It covers AI-driven decision-making, task automation, and enhancing customer experiences. The content is designed for non-technical professionals who want to understand AI’s strategic implications without diving into programming.

Why it’s great for business: This course is perfect for managers and executives who want to integrate AI into their business strategy. By understanding the potential of AI tools like Microsoft Power Automate for automating processes and enhancing decision-making, businesses can stay ahead of their competition. Tools like Power Automate help streamline repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on strategic work.

7. Elements of AI by University of Helsinki

This popular online course is suitable for anyone wanting to build a foundational understanding of AI. It covers AI basics, its applications, and the ethical considerations of AI technologies. It’s accessible to those without a technical background and is widely recommended for its straightforward and interactive approach to teaching AI concepts.

Why it’s great for business: The course helps demystify AI and provides practical examples of its use in different industries. For business professionals, understanding the basics of AI is crucial for spotting opportunities and making informed decisions about adopting AI solutions.

8. Microsoft AI for Business Users (Microsoft Learn)

Microsoft offers this course for business users looking to understand how AI can enhance productivity and business outcomes. The course focuses on real-world business scenarios, demonstrating how AI can be applied to improve customer service, automate tasks, and generate insights from data.

Why it’s great for business: This course gives participants a practical understanding of AI applications in everyday business tasks. By learning about AI-driven automation and analytics, business users can leverage these tools to boost efficiency and productivity.

9. Artificial Intelligence for Business by Alison

This course by Alison provides an accessible introduction to how AI can be leveraged in a business context. It covers practical applications of AI in various domains such as customer service, marketing, and operations. Participants will learn how AI tools can be used to streamline workflows, enhance customer interactions, and improve data-driven decision-making.

The course also addresses ethical considerations related to AI adoption and how businesses can prepare for AI implementation effectively.

Why it’s great for business: This course provides a solid overview of AI applications tailored to business needs. It’s particularly helpful for non-technical professionals in roles like marketing and operations who need to understand the potential of AI to drive better business outcomes without getting into complex programming or technical details.


The right AI course can help businesses transform operations, improve customer experiences, and stay competitive. Whether you’re a beginner seeking an introduction or a professional wanting to leverage AI in your business strategy, these AI courses are worth exploring. By understanding how AI can benefit your business, you’ll be prepared to stay ahead in an AI-driven future.

Want to learn new creative and marketing skills with me? Check out upcoming courses on topics like SEO, content marketing, copywriting and podcasting.


What's trending in digital marketing?

Stay on top of the latest news, tips, tools and updates in digital. Just for people in marketing and business. No fluff, no ads, no spam.

Join thousands of readers keeping abreast with it all, every Thursday.