How to get it freeFree learning plan on AWS Skill Builder.
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Guide · Last updated 2026-10-15 · 25 courses
The best free AI certificates in 2026
Free AI courses are everywhere, but free AI certificates are rarer. This list covers the ones we could confirm: Kaggle's micro-courses, Elements of AI, Hugging Face's agents course, Cisco and IBM introductions, Google Cloud's generative AI badges and Harvard's CS50 AI.
| Course | Provider | Credential | Time | How to get it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generative AI Learning Plan for Decision Makers | AWS | Free certificate | 4 h | Free learning plan on AWS Skill Builder. |
| Anthropic Academy courses | Anthropic | Free certificate | varies | Free self-paced courses; completion certificates. |
| Introduction to Modern AI | Cisco NetAcad | Free certificate | 10 h | Free self-paced. |
| Short courses | DeepLearning.AI | Free certificate | 1 h | Free while available. |
| Elements of AI | Elements of AI | Free certificate | 30 h | Free; certificate on completion. |
| Introduction to Generative AI (Cloud Skills Boost) | Free badge | 1 h | Free on Google Cloud Skills Boost; badge on completion. | |
| Introduction to Large Language Models | Free badge | 1 h | Free on Cloud Skills Boost. | |
| Introduction to Responsible AI | Free badge | 1 h | Free on Cloud Skills Boost. | |
| CS50's Introduction to AI with Python | Harvard | Free certificate | 70 h | Free CS50 certificate via cs50.harvard.edu. |
| Hugging Face Learn courses | Hugging Face | Free certificate | varies | Free courses; certificates on select ones. |
| AI Agents Course | Hugging Face | Free certificate | varies | Free; certificate for completing assignments. |
| LLM Course | Hugging Face | Free certificate | varies | Free course. |
| Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals | IBM SkillsBuild | Free badge | 10 h | Free; badge on completion. |
| Intro to Machine Learning | Kaggle | Free certificate | 3 h | Free; certificate on completion. |
| Intro to Deep Learning | Kaggle | Free certificate | 4 h | Free; certificate on completion. |
| Intermediate Machine Learning | Kaggle | Free certificate | 4 h | Free; certificate on completion. |
| Feature Engineering | Kaggle | Free certificate | 5 h | Free; certificate on completion. |
| Microsoft Learn AI Skills Fest / AI learning hub | Microsoft | Free badge | varies | Free AI modules with badges. |
| Copilot and AI for productivity paths | Microsoft | Free badge | varies | Free modules with badges. |
| NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute free courses | NVIDIA | Free certificate | varies | Several self-paced courses are free with certificate. |
| Machine Learning with Python | freeCodeCamp | Free certificate | 300 h | Complete projects; claim free. |
| Google AI Essentials | Free to audit | 10 h | Hosted on Coursera; audit or apply for financial aid for the certificate. | |
| Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) path | Microsoft | Free training | 10 h | Training free on Microsoft Learn; exam vouchers occasionally via Virtual Training Days. |
| OCI AI Foundations Associate | Oracle | Free training | 5 h | Free Learning Explorer path; confirm exam offer. |
| Trailhead AI Associate prep | Salesforce | Free to audit | varies | Free trails/badges; certification exam paid. |
Course details
Anthropic
Anthropic Academy courses
How to get it freeFree self-paced courses; completion certificates.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Cisco NetAcad
Introduction to Modern AI
How to get it freeFree self-paced.
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DeepLearning.AI
Short courses
How to get it freeFree while available.
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Elements of AI
Elements of AI
How to get it freeFree; certificate on completion.
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How to get it freeFree on Google Cloud Skills Boost; badge on completion.
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How to get it freeFree on Cloud Skills Boost.
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How to get it freeFree on Cloud Skills Boost.
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How to get it freeFree CS50 certificate via cs50.harvard.edu.
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Hugging Face
Hugging Face Learn courses
How to get it freeFree courses; certificates on select ones.
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Hugging Face
AI Agents Course
How to get it freeFree; certificate for completing assignments.
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Hugging Face
LLM Course
How to get it freeFree course.
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IBM SkillsBuild
Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals
How to get it freeFree; badge on completion.
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How to get it freeFree; certificate on completion.
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Kaggle
Intro to Deep Learning
How to get it freeFree; certificate on completion.
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How to get it freeFree; certificate on completion.
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Kaggle
Feature Engineering
How to get it freeFree; certificate on completion.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree AI modules with badges.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree modules with badges.
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How to get it freeSeveral self-paced courses are free with certificate.
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freeCodeCamp
Machine Learning with Python
How to get it freeComplete projects; claim free.
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Google
Google AI Essentials
How to get it freeHosted on Coursera; audit or apply for financial aid for the certificate.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeTraining free on Microsoft Learn; exam vouchers occasionally via Virtual Training Days.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree Learning Explorer path; confirm exam offer.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Salesforce
Trailhead AI Associate prep
How to get it freeFree trails/badges; certification exam paid.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
FAQ
Are there really free AI certificates in 2026?
Yes. Every course tagged “Free certificate” or “Free badge” below lets you earn the credential at no cost as of 2026-10-15. Courses where only the training is free are labeled separately.
Which free AI certificate should I start with?
Start with a short course from a well-known provider in the table, finish it, and add the credential to LinkedIn before moving on to longer paths.
Do employers value free certificates?
They do not replace degrees or proctored exams, but credentials from recognized providers demonstrate initiative and verified skills, and many can be verified online.
How do you check these courses?
Each course is read on the provider's own site, the cost of the credential is checked, and every link is tested regularly. Each listing shows its last check date.
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