Okay, so real talk.
I’ve been hearing about Generative AI nonstop — ChatGPT writing poems, DALL·E turning words into art, people building entire apps using AI.
And every time, I’d think, “That sounds cool… but I have zero clue how it works.”
So I did what we all do: Googled “free AI courses.”
That’s when I stumbled on this free learning path by Google Cloud.
It said “no experience needed,” which felt like a sign. I clicked.
And now that I’ve finished it, I just want to say — if you’re even a little curious about AI, do this course.
Let me break it down for you.
What’s this course all about?
Google Cloud offers a learning path called “Introduction to Generative AI.” It’s basically a series of five short online courses. Each one takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.
The best part?
- It’s free.
- It’s beginner-friendly.
- And it actually explains things in a way that makes sense.
You don’t need to know how to code. I repeat — no coding required.
Just bring your curiosity and an internet connection.
Here’s what the 5 courses cover (in normal-people language)
1. Intro to Generative AI (45 mins)
A super simple start. You’ll get what generative AI means (spoiler: it’s AI that creates stuff — text, images, music, etc.)
Also explains how it’s different from the AI used in, say, Netflix recommendations.
2. Large Language Models (LLMs) (1 hour)
This is where things get cool. LLMs are what power tools like ChatGPT. You’ll understand how they work, and how you can actually talk to them in a smarter way using prompts.
3. Responsible AI (30 mins)
Basically: Just because we can do something with AI… doesn’t mean we should.
This part dives into ethics — bias, fairness, privacy — and how companies like Google are trying to be responsible with it.
4. Prompt Design in Vertex AI (~4 hours)
This one’s hands-on. You’ll get to try Google’s own AI tools and write prompts to generate things.
Yes, it’s a bit longer, but it’s also the most fun. And you get a little digital badge when you’re done.
5. Responsible AI in Practice (2 hours)
Real-life examples of how companies use AI responsibly. Felt more like a behind-the-scenes look at how serious this stuff can get.
What I liked most
- Short & simple: Nothing felt too overwhelming. You could easily finish it in a weekend.
- Real tools: You get to play with actual AI tools used by developers.
- Zero pressure: No quizzes haunting you. Learn at your pace.
- Free certificate/badge: If that motivates you, it’s a nice bonus. (Yes, I added mine to LinkedIn )
Who should try this?
If you…
- Are curious about AI but don’t know where to start
- Want to learn something new (and future-relevant)
- Are tired of overpriced courses that overpromise
- Just want to understand what the fuss is all about
…then this course is for you.
Even if you’re not from a tech background. Even if you only have 1 hour a day.
How to get started
- Head to Google Cloud Skills Boost
- Sign in with your Gmail
- Search for “Beginner: Introduction to Generative AI Learning Path”
- Enroll in the 5 courses
- Go one at a time, and enjoy the process
Final thoughts
Look — AI is here to stay. It’s already changing how we work, write, design, build, and think.
If you’ve ever wanted to get into it but felt like it was too late or too technical, this course is your window.
And it’s free. Like, actually free.
So yeah — I did it. And I think you should too.
P.S.
If you end up trying the course, let me know what you think! I’d love to geek out about it with someone.
