Explore the best generative AI courses for 2025

Generative AI has disrupted the world. From speech-to-text functions to instant image creation, this new technology has the power to completely transform lives. 

Whether it’s optimizing marketing strategies or improving customer service, the applications of generative AI span across industries – making it crucial for organizations that wish to thrive to realize its potential.

In this article, we explore some of the best generative AI courses for 2025. These programs cover essential skills, such as understanding AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, and applying AI in real-world scenarios, ensuring your organization remains competitive now, and in the years to come.

But before we get into these courses, let’s run through the basics first so we’re all on the same page.

What is generative AI?

Generative AI is a specific branch of artificial intelligence for creating new content. Whether it’s text, images, videos, or audio, this AI technology can generate assets in various formats from prompts and existing data.

Think of it as a digital assistant capable of crafting marketing copy, drafting contracts, designing product prototypes, or even creating realistic customer interactions. Tools like ChatGPT can generate email templates teams can tweak and use to speed up email management, while image-generation software like DALL·E can create product mockups in seconds.

Benefits of using gen AI

We already mentioned gen AI has the power to transform. But how exactly does it do this? 

Whether it’s ChatGPT,  DALL·E, or any other tool, generative AI enhances efficiency and fosters creativity. With teams no longer having to focus on manual or time-consuming tasks, their efforts can be redirected to higher-value tasks and more strategic initiatives instead.

But leveraging AI technology doesn’t just make life easier for businesses – it helps them maintain a positive and modern brand image, too. When businesses show the world they willingly adopt new technologies such as generative AI, those they sell to or partner with will perceive them as industry innovators who are willing to learn and do what it takes to position their organization ahead of the competition.

And we’re seeing this across every industry today. Even more wary and traditional professions like legal are preparing to use, or already embracing, generative AI.

Why are generative AI courses important?

Adopting a few gen AI technologies doesn’t mean, however, that your business is set for life.

Staying ahead requires constant learning and skill development. After all, generative AI evolves especially rapidly. 

Since ChatGPT came into the picture in 2022, generative AI iterations have been released several times in a month. According to a McKinsey & Company report, in March 2023 alone, there were six major gen AI innovations introduced to the market, including customer relationship management solutions and technologies to support the finance sector.

The same report said gen AI technologies are expected to keep proliferating to address more specific use cases rather than generic ones. With gen AI progressing at this pace, it’s clear businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind competitors who embrace these advancements.

To take full advantage of the power of any generative AI model, organizations must keep on top of AI capabilities and tooling. They should continuously train teams on new features and applications that will help to increase adoption, reduce risk, and integrate these new ways of working into their existing routines and workflows. 

Ultimately, completing courses and developing employee skills will help your business stand out from the crowd.

Best gen AI courses for 2025

Convinced your business needs to upskill to stay ahead? Let’s take a look at some of the best generative AI courses on offer in 2025. Your employees don’t have to take all these courses at once, of course. Just choose one first that meets your immediate business and team learning needs, and that fits your budget.

1. Introduction to Generative AI by Google Cloud

Designed for beginners, Google’s introductory course helps learners understand the basics of generative AI, covering its applications, models, and best practices.

It provides hands-on experience with various Google tools and even gives learners the chance to build and develop their own generative models. The curriculum also includes modules on large language models, diffusion models, and responsible AI practices.

If you’re looking for your team to learn more about what generative AI is, how it is used, and how it differs from traditional machine learning methods, this course is a great way to get started. Through a mix of videos and readings, they’ll learn everything they need to pass the quiz and display their completion badge.‍

• ‍Price: Free‍
• Length: 45 minutes
• Certification: Yes, you can achieve a completion badge
• Difficulty: For beginners

2. Generative AI Fundamentals by Databricks

Databricks’ gen AI course covers the basics of generative AI. From creating code and content to expediting customer service, this program dives into transformational use cases to highlight what AI can do for your business and why you should care.

Using technology like ChatGPT, the course explores Large Language Model (LLM) applications, the potential risks and challenges, and best practices for success with generative AI.

Your team can watch just four short videos. If they pass the knowledge test, they can earn a badge to display on their résumé or social media profiles.

• Price: Free
• Length: Four short videos
• Certification: Yes, you will earn a completion badge
• Difficulty: For beginners

3. Generative AI: Introduction and Applications by IBM

Coursera host another great generative AI course, led by IBM. It's called Generative AI: Introduction and Applications.

Your team can unpack the capabilities of generative AI in IBM’s beginner’s course by discovering key applications and examples of generative AI in different sectors and industries, exploring common models and tools, and learning the difference between generative AI and discriminative AI.

With just over three modules and five assessments, they can easily build subject matter expertise and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of generative AI and how to use it. They even have the option to put their new-found knowledge to the test via a voluntary project.

• Price: Free, but only for Coursera plus members
• Length: 6 hours
• Certification: Yes, you'll receive a shareable certificate
• Difficulty: Beginner level

4. Generative AI for Beginners by Microsoft

Microsoft's generative AI course is another great option for individuals looking to upskill and learn the basics of gen AI and the foundations it's built upon.

Aimed at people brand new to the world of artificial intelligence, this free course introduces the fundamentals of generative AI, including its history, key concepts, and practical applications.

Your team can explore prompt engineering, building and developing AI applications, and various generative models, including:

• Open Source models
• Meta models
• Small language models

In this course, Microsoft covers the ethical considerations of generative AI and how to use it responsibly, explaining how to ensure output is fair and non-harmful. Your team can also learn about the risks of artificial intelligence, common threats and vulnerabilities, as well as best practices to secure your business’s AI system.

• Price: Free
• Length: 21 lessons
• Certification: Not clear what you'll receive on completion
• Difficulty: For beginners

5. Generative AI for Leaders and Business Professionals: A Quick Overview by Udemy

This generative AI course by Udemy has been designed specifically with leaders and business professionals in mind, helping them understand how AI has impacted their specific sector and supporting them to embed this transformative new technology.

Covering key frameworks and strategies, your team will learn how to leverage AI for strategic decision-making, risks and ethical considerations of using generative AI at work, and best practices for successfully introducing AI programs.

• Price: $30
• Length: 8 h and 41 minutes
• Certification: Yes, you'll get a certificate upon completion
• Difficulty: Designed for business leaders

6. Certified Generative AI Specialist by Chartered Institute of Professional Certifications

If you’re looking for a fully accredited program, this comprehensive course promises to equip your team with the skills and knowledge needed to master the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI.

They will explore the principles of generative AI, data acquisition and preprocessing, neural network architectures, natural language processing, image and video generation, audio synthesis, and creative AI applications.

By the end of the course, they’ll gain a globally-recognized credential that will distinguish them as experts in all things generative AI, boost their career, and enhance your business. 

• Price: $490
• Length: 11 hours
• Certification: Yes, you'll receive a certification accredited by the Chartered Institute of Professional Certifications
• Difficulty: Advanced

7. Introduction to Prompt Engineering for Generative AI by LinkedIn

Generative AI relies on good-quality input, otherwise known as ‘prompts’. Poor prompts result in vague, inadequate content. Asking gen AI to ‘Write a 150-word product description for an eco-friendly, reusable water bottle made from stainless steel’ is better than asking it to ‘Write about a water bottle.’ The first will ensure a specific, tailored result, while the second a generic response.

In other words, spending time to craft a clear, detailed prompt is key to getting the best gen AI output at work.

In this ‘Introduction to Prompt Engineering’ course, your team will discover how to craft effective prompts for generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL·E. They will also explore techniques to structure prompts for better outcomes, refine AI-generated responses, and tackle challenges such as ambiguity and bias.

• Price: Free with a LinkedIn Learning subscription
• Length: 45 minutes
• Certification: Yes, you'll get a Linkedin certificate
• Difficulty: For beginners

8. Getting Started with Generative AI API Specialization by Codio

Delivered by expert instructors, Codio teaches learners how to write programs using OpenAI APIs and Python. From building AI chatbots to interacting with ChatGPT API, your team will get hands-on experience developing AI assistants and learn how to create content through text, audio, and images.

This is a great course for those who understand the basics of generative AI and want to gain practical skills. It gives them a taste of how to use artificial intelligence to their advantage.

• Price: Free
• Length: 1 month
• Certification:
• Difficulty: Advanced for those with strong foundational knowledge

Next steps

As generative AI continues to redefine how businesses operate, investing in education and upskilling has never been more crucial. Whether your business is new to AI or is looking to deepen its expertise, these courses offer a comprehensive foundation to help teams navigate this transformative technology.

The knowledge and skills gained from these programs will not only enhance their professional capabilities but will also position your business as a forward-thinking leader in your industry.

There's no time like the present!