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What foundational certs are available for those aspiring to launch a career in AI?

Generation Details

Date LLM Access Method
Nov 2024 GPT-4 Web UI

There are several certifications and courses that can help you verify foundational knowledge in Large Language Models (LLMs) and associated AI topics, even if you’re not aiming for the technical level of a specialist developer. These certifications are designed to demonstrate domain competency and prepare you for a career in the AI space by covering key concepts, practical applications, and foundational knowledge in AI and LLMs. Here are some recommended certifications:

1. AI for Everyone – Coursera (by Andrew Ng, DeepLearning.AI)

  • Overview: This course is designed for non-technical professionals and provides a broad understanding of AI, including how it is transforming industries and how it can be implemented in various fields. It covers foundational AI concepts and introduces key ideas around AI’s applications, including large-scale models like LLMs.
  • Key Topics:
  • Basics of machine learning and neural networks.
  • Applications of AI across industries.
  • Ethical considerations in AI.
  • Who It’s For: Individuals seeking to understand AI at a high level without deep technical requirements. Great for those entering business or managerial roles in the AI space.
  • Certification: You receive a certificate from Coursera and DeepLearning.AI upon completion.
  • Link: AI for Everyone - Coursera

2. AI Foundations for Everyone – IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate (Coursera)

  • Overview: This certificate is offered by IBM and provides a broad introduction to the concepts of AI, machine learning, and deep learning. It’s part of a more extensive program on AI engineering but starts with non-technical foundations and progresses to more practical aspects of AI applications, including LLMs.
  • Key Topics:
  • Foundational concepts in AI and machine learning.
  • Neural networks and deep learning principles.
  • AI project lifecycle and real-world applications.
  • Who It’s For: Individuals looking to gain a foundational understanding of AI and its business applications, especially relevant for project managers and non-developers entering the AI field.
  • Certification: You receive a Coursera Professional Certificate.
  • Link: IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate

3. AI for Business Leaders – MIT Sloan Executive Education

  • Overview: This course is designed specifically for business professionals and leaders who want to understand how to leverage AI and machine learning, including large-scale models like LLMs, to transform their industries. It covers both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of AI in business.
  • Key Topics:
  • Core AI and machine learning concepts for decision-makers.
  • Strategic implementation of AI in business.
  • Understanding AI-driven innovation and data-driven decision-making.
  • Who It’s For: Business leaders, managers, and professionals looking to integrate AI into their organizations and develop AI strategies.
  • Certification: You receive a certificate from MIT Sloan upon completion.
  • Link: AI for Business Leaders

4. Stanford Online – Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence

  • Overview: This certification provides an in-depth understanding of AI, machine learning, and deep learning, with a focus on real-world applications. It covers foundational principles, ethical considerations, and the future of AI. It’s suitable for non-specialist roles looking to grasp AI fundamentals and gain competency in LLMs.
  • Key Topics:
  • Fundamentals of machine learning and neural networks.
  • Ethical implications of AI technologies.
  • Overview of modern AI applications, including LLMs and natural language processing.
  • Who It’s For: Professionals seeking foundational AI knowledge without deep technical requirements, but with aspirations for a career in AI-driven industries.
  • Certification: You receive a Stanford Online Certificate.
  • Link: Stanford Online AI Certificate

5. DeepLearning.AI – Generative AI with Large Language Models Specialization (Coursera)

  • Overview: This course is specifically focused on LLMs and Generative AI. It covers the key concepts around how LLMs like GPT function, their applications, and how businesses can integrate these technologies. While it delves into LLM-specific topics, it doesn’t require deep technical expertise.
  • Key Topics:
  • How large language models are trained and work.
  • Applications of generative AI in business and content creation.
  • Ethical considerations in deploying generative models.
  • Who It’s For: Professionals interested in learning about how to leverage generative AI and LLMs in practical, real-world business scenarios. Non-technical managers or AI strategists would benefit from this specialization.
  • Certification: You receive a Coursera Specialization Certificate.
  • Link: Generative AI with LLMs

6. AI & Machine Learning – HarvardX (edX) Professional Certificate

  • Overview: This professional certificate from Harvard offers a well-rounded introduction to AI and machine learning concepts. It is accessible to non-specialists and covers key concepts such as supervised and unsupervised learning, AI ethics, and business implications.
  • Key Topics:
  • Supervised and unsupervised learning.
  • Foundations of deep learning and neural networks.
  • Practical applications of AI in various industries.
  • Who It’s For: Professionals seeking to demonstrate domain competency in AI and machine learning, without focusing on advanced technical skills.
  • Certification: A Professional Certificate from HarvardX upon completion.
  • Link: AI & Machine Learning – HarvardX

7. AI in Practice – Microsoft AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

  • Overview: This certification, offered by Microsoft, is a foundational course designed to cover the basics of AI concepts, including machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP). It provides a good starting point for understanding LLMs and their application.
  • Key Topics:
  • Fundamental principles of AI.
  • Core concepts of NLP and large language models.
  • Understanding how to use Azure AI services and tools.
  • Who It’s For: Professionals or business leaders who want a basic but structured introduction to AI topics, suitable for non-developers looking to demonstrate understanding of AI applications.
  • Certification: Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900).
  • Link: Microsoft AI-900

Ranking Summary (from Most Impressive to Less Impressive):

  1. MIT Sloan Executive Education – AI for Business Leaders (Cost: $3,200)
  2. Stanford Online – Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (Cost: $2,100)
  3. IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate (Cost: $234)
  4. HarvardX (edX) – AI & Machine Learning Professional Certificate (Cost: $199)
  5. DeepLearning.AI – Generative AI with Large Language Models (Cost: $147–$196)
  6. Microsoft AI Fundamentals (AI-900) (Cost: $99)
  7. AI for Everyone – Coursera (Cost: $49)

The above text was generated by a large language model (LLM) and its accuracy has not been validated. This page is part of 'LLMs-on-LLMs,' a Github repository by Daniel Rosehill which explores how curious humans can use LLMs to better their understanding of LLMs and AI. However, the information should not be regarded as authoritative and given the fast pace of evolution in LLM technology will eventually become deprecated. This footer was added at 16-Nov-2024.