Artificial intelligence, or AI, has become a part of many industries, changing the way they carry out daily tasks. So, learning about AI and pursuing a career in the field might be worth considering. Independent instructors, online educational platforms, and credible institutions have also recognized the growing impact of AI and introduced courses on the subject. But, as many AI courses are available today, choosing the right one may require careful consideration.

Tips to choose an AI course
1. Determine learning and career goals
The first step in looking for AI courses is to determine how a course in AI will help one pursue a career in the field. One should also know if they want to specialize in a particular field of AI, such as machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, etc. Considering these things will help one choose a course that aligns with their goals.

2. Assess existing skills and knowledge
Before signing up for an AI course, one must also ascertain their current understanding of the subject. This means one must determine how much they already know about AI. They should also determine if they already have a few basic skills, such as programming with one or more languages. One can choose a beginner, intermediate, or advanced-level course based on existing knowledge and skills.

3. Look up institutes and instructors
One must learn about the entities offering the course when exploring different courses. For instance, if the course is offered by an institute, one must go through its website, verify its credibility on other online sites, and check its track record. Additionally, one must look up the credentials of instructors and faculty members teaching the course and their experience in AI and teaching, as these factors can have a major impact on one’s learning experience. Likewise, if considering an AI course from an independent instructor or educational platform, one must try to find as much information as possible about the platform and the instructor.

One should also read online reviews left by previous students about the course, institute, and instructor. The reviews can offer certain insights into the instructor’s teaching style and the overall quality of the course.

4. Check the course format
There are currently many courses, both online and in-person options, covering the field of AI. So before choosing a course, one must assess the format they are comfortable with and choose a suitable option. Both online and classroom-based course formats have their perks. For instance, online courses allow one to study from anywhere, while classroom-based courses offer a more interactive learning experience. The right format aligns with one’s learning goals and preferences.

5. Review the course content
Along with the format, one must also carefully check the topics covered in the course to know what one will be learning. This will ultimately allow one to select a course that covers concepts that will help them in their career. Additionally, one must focus on the overall course structure and see if it offers hands-on training or just instruction. Projects and practical activities allow one to understand the practical applications of AI and develop certain skills that will give them an edge in the field.

6. Consider the duration
Among the numerous AI courses available, one may come across some that cover similar content but differ in duration. While some may take a few months or even a whole year to complete, others can be completed in a matter of weeks. So, before selecting a course, one must check if its duration fits their timeline and learning preferences.

Top courses to consider
1. AI For Everyone by DeepLearning.AI
This beginner AI course is considered one of the best to get an introduction to the field. It is taught by Andrew Ng, one of the top AI experts, who has co-founded one of the biggest AI research teams in the world. The course covers all the basics of AI, using AI in practical work, and its impact on society.

2. Artificial Intelligence Nanodegree by Peter Norvig and Sebastian Thrun
This is a 3-month intermediate-level course on AI. It requires students to have pre-requisite knowledge about object-oriented programming and basic data structures. The course includes several topics on real-world applications of AI, along with hands-on projects and assignments.

3. Artificial Intelligence by MIT
This is a popular intermediate-level AI course that MIT offers for free. The course comes with recorded lecture videos, exams, and notes. It is meant to be a self-paced option without any live instruction or interaction but offers an educational experience that MIT students get.