6 Free AI Courses With Certificates For High-Income Skills In 2024

If you’re looking for a faster way to boost your salary in 2024, look no further than AI.

Employers are willing to pay a premium—up to a staggering 47% salary increase on average—for technical employees who possess AI skills, a new Amazon Web Services (AWS) study of 3,297 employees and 1,340 organizations in the U.S. across multiple industries found.

However, the benefits of AI on one’s salary is not merely for roles within tech. Employers agreed they would give workers a pay bump of 43% within sales and marketing, 42% for workers in the finance department, 41% for those in operations, 37% for legal, regulatory, and compliance employees, and 35% extra for employees within the human resources department, per the study.

In a time when salaries are barely enough to match the cost of living, the impact of AI and skills-building on salaries solves at least part of the problem perfectly. Professionals who wish to bump up their pay checks can now do so thanks to AI, through gaining in-demand AI skills.

Forbes3 In-Demand, High-Income AI Skills You Need In 2024By Rachel Wells

While skills building can undertake several forms and does not always need to be certified or accredited, it certainly helps when you have that extra stamp of approval from an established body.

One of the most important features you should look out for when upskilling with a course, and in this case, with an AI course, is a certification. Completion of a certificate speaks volumes to employers, indicating that you are serious about your role, and you are committed to your personal and professional growth. It also appears more crisp and official.

Free AI Courses With Certificates For 2024

To get you started, here are five free AI certifications you should consider completing this year so you can increase your value in the job market and get paid what you’re worth…and then some.

1. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) by IBM (you can get it free if you are facing financial difficulty, through Coursera)
2. AI for Everyone by DeepLearning.AI
3. Introduction to Generative AI by Google Cloud
4. Generative AI with Large Language Models by AWS, via Coursera
5. Generative AI Fundamentals, by Databricks (gives you a badge to put on LinkedIn and resume upon completion)
6. Machine Learning Specialization by Andrew Ng, Stanford University (offered for free via Coursera)

Here are some other AI courses that teach you in-demand, high-income skills for AI. These courses vary slightly to the list above because they are free to complete, but you may need to pay to purchase a certification.

1. CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python, by Harvard University
2. Getting Started with Python for Data Science, by Codeacademy

As you begin to understand AI concepts, think of ways you can apply these to your day-to-day role. Stay within employer guidelines, use artificial intelligence ethically, and don’t be afraid to make recommendations or suggestions to your employer. Right now, AI is top of mind for many employers, so if you have a great idea and tangible ways to use AI to bring greater profits and returns to the business, while cutting short excessive labor, then why not be proactive, learn the necessary skills, and share it?

Who knows, you could be one email, one meeting away from securing a 47% pay rise.