Does Harvard Offer Free AI Courses Online?
Want to put Harvard on your resume without the Ivy-level price tag?
With artificial intelligence (AI) set to reshape the workforce, Harvard University has made a number of its courses in the fast-growing field free to online learners.
Free online courses from Harvard are in high demand, with social media posts on the topic garnering millions of views amid the university’s battle with the Trump administration.
The free online AI courses from Harvard are generally geared toward students with a basic understanding of computer science and coding, but the university also offers paid online courses that focus on AI from a business perspective.
Free Harvard AI Courses You Can Complete Online
Most of these courses cost a few hundred dollars if you want to earn a certificate, but you’ll also have the option to audit the course. That means you can take the course for free but without receiving a paid certificate at the end of your studies.
Machine Learning and AI With Python
- Course Length: 6 weeks
- Cost: Free to audit and $299 for a certificate
The Machine Learning and AI With Python course can help you leverage your Python and statistical skills into the high-demand field of machine learning. The course will teach you to use machine learning models to help make informed decisions.
You can audit the course for free. But if you want a certificate to put on your resume, you can pay $299 and gain access to course materials after you finish.
CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence With Python
- Course Length: 7 weeks
- Cost: Free to audit and $299 for a certificate
The CS50 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence With Python course has a broader focus. It covers everything from probability theory to neural networks and machine learning. If you have some prior experience with Harvard’s introduction to computer science courses or Python, this course is a good way to explore the vast field of AI.
Executive Education Faculty Webinar: Machine Learning for Leaders
- Course Length: 1 hour
- Cost: Free
This free, one-hour webinar from the Harvard Kennedy School for Executive Education focuses on how machine learning can apply to important issues for leaders and policymakers.
Data Science: Machine Learning
- Course Length: 8 weeks
- Cost: Free to audit and $149 for a certificate
The Data Science: Machine Learning course is part of Harvard’s larger Professional Certificate in Data Science program, but you can audit this course for free. You can also add a certificate for the individual course for just $149.
The course covers the basics of machine learning, popular algorithms, and how to build a recommendation system.
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Harvard AI Certificates You Can Get Online
Harvard stacks many of its online AI and data science courses into longer, paid certificate programs.
The nine-course Data Science professional certificate program from Harvard, for instance, has nine courses and costs $1,332.90.
The AI certificate programs from Harvard are generally where you’ll find more entry-level AI instruction. We’ve compiled a few examples:
AI Essentials for Business
Harvard Business School Online has a history of innovation in online credentials. Its AI Essentials for Business program aims to help business professionals apply AI in the workplace through four AI and ethics-focused modules.
It isn’t free, but the program has an affordable price tag for an Ivy League program at $1,850.
AI Ethics in Business: Managing Bias and Ethical Usage
A more pricey option offered through the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, the AI Ethics in Business program is aimed at leaders with more than 10 years of experience who want a better understanding of how to ethically use AI in their business or organization.
The online, synchronous program costs $2,850 total.
Computer Science for Artificial Intelligence
This two-course certificate program includes both the introductory AI and Python course we listed above as well as a broad introduction to computer science and its applications in AI. That means it’ll both introduce you to key concepts in the field and help you apply those concepts to AI.
The price tag for the full certificate is $466.20.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harvard Online AI Courses
Harvard’s online AI courses cover both technical and ethical applications of AI. Some computer science-focused courses include instruction on how to apply Python to AI and machine learning, while more general business programs focus on the day-to-day applications of AI.
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