As AI becomes a widely utilized resource by companies across various sectors, research indicates that employees’ expectations to be informed about AI are rising. Recently, Google has introduced a new opportunity for business leaders to enhance their AI literacy.
Generative AI Leader certification
On Wednesday, Google Cloud unveiled an innovative generative AI certification designed for non-technical individuals, such as managers and business executives, who wish to understand AI’s effects beyond programming. According to Google, the course emphasizes strategic adoption, discussion, and leadership of generative AI initiatives.
The Google Cloud Generative AI Leader certification exam, priced at $99 and lasting 90 minutes, will be available starting May 14. Although there is a fee for the certification, Google presents it as a worthwhile investment, claiming that Google Cloud certifications serve as “powerful catalysts” for career advancement.
Generative AI Leader free course
Google Cloud is also providing a free learning path on Google Cloud Skills Boost. This path enables users to prepare for the exam and gain in-depth knowledge about the advantages of generative AI through hands-on activities, podcast-like videos, and more. The most appealing aspect is that you can complete the modules without taking the exam. While you won’t have formal proof of your upskilling, you can still apply your newfound knowledge to your work.
Google states that the learning path requires seven to eight hours to finish and consists of five courses:
- Gen AI: Beyond the Chatbot aims to instruct users on the fundamentals of generative AI beyond its commonly held notions.
- Gen AI: Unlock Foundational Concepts clarifies ideas such as large language models and various data types.
- Gen AI: Navigate the Landscape offers a summary of the larger AI ecosystem, including different kinds of models and platforms.
- Gen AI Apps: Transform Your Work examines the applications of generative AI within enterprises.
- Gen AI Agents: Transform Your Organization investigates how AI agents can lead to considerable organizational change.
How to access
To access the course, simply visit the Generative AI Leader course on Google Cloud Skills Boost. To register for your exam, go to the Generative AI Leader page on the Google Cloud certification website. There are options for both online and on-site proctored exams. The certification is valid for three years, and there are no prerequisites to sign up. This page also provides a Generative AI Leader Exam study guide that is freely accessible to everyone.
If the certification fee is beyond your means, there are various other online resources available at different price levels, many of which are free. ZDNET has compiled a list of the top free AI courses and certifications for 2025. Additionally, LinkedIn recently made its top 10 most popular AI courses free for all users through the end of May.
This certification, focused on Google-specific content, aids in understanding generative AI through the use of Google’s tools.
The cost for the certification exam is $99, but Google provides free training resources. This enables you to familiarize yourself with Google’s AI solutions before deciding on the official certification.
It’s crucial to understand that this certification is designed specifically for Google Cloud’s AI ecosystem.
If you’re interested in learning about other AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft’s Copilot, this program won’t meet those needs. The certification concentrates on Google’s perspective on AI and its unique products.
What the Google Certification Includes
Should you opt to take the certification exam, it will cost $99 USD and is set for a duration of 90 minutes.
The test encompasses four primary topics:
- Fundamentals of generative AI (~30%): Basic definitions and concepts
- Google Cloud’s generative AI offerings (~35%): Utilizing Google Cloud tools for AI-driven tasks
- Techniques to enhance generative AI model output (~20%): Strategies to achieve improved results from AI
- Business strategies for effective generative AI solutions (~15%): Best practices for safe and responsible AI application
Considerations to Keep in Mind
This certification could provide career advantages for individuals working in environments that utilize Google technologies.
According to data from Google’s late 2024 research, over 80% of individuals with Google Cloud certifications believe the credentials helped them secure new job roles and promotions more quickly.
The free training equips learners with skills specifically related to Google Workspace and Google Cloud. This knowledge can be directly useful for organizations that leverage Google’s AI tools for content generation, audience analysis, and marketing campaigns.
By becoming certified, you’ll possess a formal way to demonstrate your understanding of Google’s AI ecosystem. Additionally, the certification includes coverage on responsible AI practices and business strategy within the Google framework.
Availability and Enrollment
Currently, the free training is available via Google Cloud Skills Boost.
For professionals who frequently engage with Google products, these free resources provide a low-risk opportunity to bolster your understanding of Google’s AI tools, with the option to obtain certification if it aligns with your career aspirations.
Generative AI is a remarkable technology that is not only going to persist but will also influence every sector of work and business, already establishing significant impacts on our daily lives.
There is still much to learn in this field. While creating a few prompts for ChatGPT might seem simple, leveraging these new capabilities into useful tools requires skill development. Thankfully, a variety of classes are available to assist with this.
Numerous organizations and educational institutions may attempt to market their AI education programs. However, as I will demonstrate in the following collection of valuable resources, you can gain considerable knowledge about AI, and even earn certifications—all at no cost.
I have enrolled in at least one course offered by each of the providers listed below, and I found them all to be quite beneficial. Naturally, the teaching quality can vary, but the overall experience has been very helpful. In working on AI assignments for ZDNET, I have occasionally revisited other classes to reinforce my knowledge and comprehension.
Thus, I suggest you quickly review my brief evaluations, possibly explore the linked articles further, and save all of these, as they are invaluable resources. Let’s begin.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning, one of the pioneering online education platforms, was founded in 1995 as Lynda.com. It boasts a vast library of courses covering a wide array of subjects. There is a monthly subscription fee, but many employers and educational institutions offer access for all their staff and students.
LinkedIn Learning (originally Lynda.com) is likely the online education site I have utilized more than any other. I have been a consistent user since the late 1990s. For many years, I paid for my membership, but currently, I access it through my graduate school alumni membership. With an extensive selection of courses across various subjects, it serves as an excellent go-to learning platform.
I completed two courses on LinkedIn Learning. Here is my feedback on one of them.
Additionally, I took the two-hour Machine Learning with Python: Foundations course, which featured an excellent instructor—Prof. Frederick Nwanganga—who was previously unknown to me. I must commend LinkedIn for selecting educators who excel at teaching.
I gained a lot from this course, particularly regarding data collection and preparation for machine learning. I was also able to enhance my Python programming skills, especially in building a machine learning model using Python. In just two hours, I felt like I received a thorough and accessible overview.
With numerous AI courses available, you’re bound to discover a valuable series. To help you get started, I’ve selected three that could open up new opportunities:
- ChatGPT Tips for the Help Desk: Acquire skills in strategic planning, prompt engineering, and agent scripting, along with various other AI techniques, for enhancing AI operations.
- Machine Learning with Python: Foundations: Receive step-by-step instruction on how to embark on your machine learning journey using Python.
- Building Career Agility and Resilience in the Age of AI: Understand how to rethink your career to adjust and succeed in this AI-driven era.
- It’s advisable to check with your employer, agency, or educational institution to see if you can receive a complimentary membership. If not, you can opt for a monthly or yearly subscription (with the yearly rate being approximately half the cost).
According to a company spokesperson speaking to ZDNET, “LinkedIn Learning has granted nearly 500K professional certificates over the last 2.5 years. Generative AI ranks among the top subjects covered.”
Amazon AWS Skill Builder
Amazon meets the need for on-demand infrastructure. Instead of developing their own infrastructure, numerous companies now depend on Amazon to deliver scalable cloud solutions as required. Almost every aspect of IT technology can be rented through Amazon’s extensive range of web services. This also includes a sizable array of individual AI services, from computer vision to realistic speech generation and Bedrock, which “provides LLMs from Amazon and leading AI startups via an API.”
Additionally, Amazon offers a variety of training courses for these services. Some courses are available for free, while others require a subscription. Here are three free courses you can explore:
- Foundations of Prompt Engineering: Discover the principles, techniques, and best practices for crafting effective prompts.
- Amazon Bedrock – Getting Started: Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s service designed for creating generative AI applications.
- Twitch Series: AWS Power Hour Introduction to Machine Learning for Developers: This is a recorded series of conversations on Twitch aimed at helping you learn the essentials of machine learning and gaining a practical perspective on what developers need to grasp to begin with machine learning.
- Beyond classes offered on Amazon’s websites, the company also hosts numerous classes on YouTube. I spent an enjoyable and informative weekend diving into the Generative AI
- Foundations series, an entire playlist containing fascinating material about AI.
If you’re currently using or even contemplating AWS-based services, these courses are certainly worth your investment of time.
IBM SkillsBuild Learning
IBM is undeniably a significant player in the AI realm, having long been at the forefront with its Watson products. Its generative AI offering is known as Watsonx, and it emphasizes helping businesses implement and manage both traditional machine learning and generative AI to meet their specific requirements.
The SkillsBuild Learning programs from the company provide a wealth of information, offering foundational training for several essential IT roles, such as cybersecurity specialist, data analyst, and user experience designer.
Currently, there is just one free AI credential, but it has generated significant interest among many of our readers. This credential is the AI Fundamentals learning credential, encompassing six courses. You’ll need to log in to access the link, but signing up is straightforward and free. Once you complete the program, you earn an official credential that you can add to your LinkedIn profile. After finishing the course, I did just that and made sure to share my experience.
My favorite part was the AI Ethics class, which runs for an hour and 45 minutes. Utilizing real-world cases, you will explore AI ethics, their applications, and the significance of ethical considerations in creating reliable AI systems.
DeepLearning (with OpenAI)
DeepLearning is a company dedicated to education, specializing in AI training. They consistently introduce new courses that train developers in various aspects of AI technology. The company has partnered with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, to develop a number of excellent courses.
I participated in the ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers course listed below, which marked my first in-depth exposure to the ChatGPT API. If you’re interested in how developers can utilize LLMs like ChatGPT, this course is definitely worth your time. The integration of traditional code with detailed prompts that resemble comments rather than commands can significantly assist you in understanding how to merge these two distinct coding styles.
Given that AI remains an incredibly fast-growing field, I am continually impressed by the overwhelming amount of high-quality courseware available at no cost. Be sure to bookmark DeepLearning and keep visiting as it continues to expand its course offerings.
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