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9 Great Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses for a Skills Boost in 2024
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While every company in the world is trying to adopt AI in one way or another, you can show potential employers you know what you’re talking about with artificial intelligence certifications. Instead of getting your education from YouTube University, these artificial intelligence certification picks make your resume legitimate and help you stand out in a crowded job market.
The only problem is finding options that are actually worth your time and money. To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of 9 AI certification options that can boost your skills, enhance your resume, and prepare you for the ever-changing landscape of technology.
Let’s take a look at what these certifications offer and how they help you become qualified for your next tech job.
Artificial Intelligence Certification Programs From Reputable Organizations
All AI certifications help you learn more about emerging technology, but the following courses come from the top universities and organizations in the world. Secure a certificate through these options and your resume has a better chance of impressing hiring managers.
1. Artificial Intelligence Professional Program (Stanford School of Engineering)
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The Artificial Intelligence Professional Program from the prestigious Stanford is perfect for those eager to grasp AI’s cutting-edge technologies and principles. You’ll get comprehensive insights into:
- Machine Learning Algorithms
- Deep Learning
- Natural Language Processing
- Supervised/Unsupervised Learning
- Reinforcement Learning
- Graph Neural Networks
- Multi-Task and Meta-Learning
Before enrollment, you need to be proficient in Python and comfortable with college calculus and linear algebra. You’ll also need basic probability theory.
The skills in this course allow you to build your own AI models and algorithms, debug your own code, fine-tune model parameters, and implement generative language models.
It’s a ten-week course with a requirement of 10-15 hours per week. You will, however, get your own instructor and have access to community support.
2. IBM AI Engineering (IBM)
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The popular organization IBM is the powerhouse company that created what we now call the supercomputer. This is why their AI Engineering course is one of the best certifications offered.
IBM AI Engineering is an intermediate course for those familiar with Python and data science. This certificate is earned through six individual modules over two months and requires about 10 hours a week.
The course is hosted entirely on Coursera, which means you will need a membership to earn your certificate. But the good news is they offer a 7-day free trial, so you can test to see if the course is what you were expecting.
The content is designed for those ready to master machine learning and deep learning using Python. The program covers:
- Supervised and Unsupervised Learning
- Libraries like SciPy, ScikitLearn, Keras, PyTorch, TensorFlow
- Object Recognition, Computer Vision, NLP
- Recommender Systems, Classifiers
- Scaling Machine Learning on Big Data using Apache Spark
- Building, Training, and Deploying Deep Architectures
After going through all the modules, you’ll finish the course by completing a capstone project on deep learning. For example, you could use machine learning to automate customer segmentation or deep learning for predictive analytics, saving time and enhancing business operations.
Price: 7-day free trial, $49/month for Coursera membership
3. Computer Science for Artificial Intelligence (Harvard)
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Releasing its most popular CS50 courses to the general public online, Harvard is offering a computer science for artificial intelligence course that takes place over six months. It actually includes two courses for one price and is taught by a professor at the School of Engineering.
The original course was Intro to Computer Science, and it was the most popular undergraduate course at Harvard.
Harvard’s School of Engineering has combined the classic course with Intro to Artificial Intelligence to create the course you now have a chance to complete.
During the course you’ll learn:
- Graph search algorithms
- Classification
- Optimization
- Reinforcement learning
After completing the course, students will learn how to design complete intelligent systems, use AI in Python programs, and have a robust understanding of computer science principles. These deep learning models and AI technologies are presented in easy relatable terms, making it manageable in the world of complicated AI courses.
All the courses on this list will help you land better opportunities, but getting a course completion from Harvard will undoubtedly matter more than others.
Artificial Intelligence Certifications For Entrepreneurs
Getting certified on the ins and outs of computer science or deep learning algorithms isn’t relevant if you aren’t a programmer or engineer. The following courses are designed for practical use and help businesses get more from the tools they use.
4. Jasper.AI Certification Program
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Jasper.ai exploded onto the business scene by being one of the first fully integrated AI tools for content writing.
As seen in our Jasper.ai review, you can easily automate copy for social media, web pages, blogs, product descriptions, and more.
Now, they’re offering a complete Jasper.ai certification program to support your learning path. It helps business professionals and freelancers to save time on content. It also lets others know that you’re proficient in the tool if they want to hire out AI development.
The Jasper.ai proficiency certification is a short course designed for anyone who wants to show their expertise. You’ll learn:
- Brand Voice
- Campaigns
- Chat, Documents, Templates, and Art
- Basic troubleshooting for content generation
- Understanding of how Jasper is trained
Within just an hour and a half, divided into two modules, you’ll be equipped to incorporate the latest Jasper updates into your workflow.
Imagine using the “Brand Voice” feature to maintain consistent communication or employing “Templates” to accelerate document creation.
After passing the 60-question final exam, you’ll be able to troubleshoot when content generation falls short of expectations.
5. SurferSEO Certificate of Achievement
SurferSEO is a tool used to optimize copy for web pages. The SurferSEO Certificate of Achievement course is great for those who want to learn how to use AI. Not only to write better but to create keyword-rich content that ranks higher on Google and other search engines.
The tool is one of the more comprehensive copy-optimizing options. It automatically pulls data from the top-ranking sites on Google. It then averages out keyword usage numbers you can use as guideposts when writing copy for your blog or web pages.
The data helps you rank higher on Google using SEO best practices. It’s one of the best AI SEO software options that incorporates AI into the platform.
You’ll see information like the number of headings, titles, images, and keywords that need to be used. There are even outline recommendations and a complete content editor.
In the course, you’ll learn:
- The basics of SEO
- How SurferSEO’s algorithm works
- Keyword research and optimization techniques
Passing the short exam will give you a downloadable certificate as well as a LinkedIn Badge to add to your profile.
The course even has an online directory of students who have successfully passed the exam. All of the 50,000+ users of Surfer have access to the directory and can reach out to graduates for paid help.
6. AI for Business Leaders
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Designed for industry leaders with a focus on practical AI usage, the AI for Business Leaders course helps you make better decisions on how to use AI.
Over two months, you’ll follow a fictitious retailer making decisions on optimal AI use cases for specific business situations. This brings a real-life element to artificial intelligence certification that will prepare you for actual AI scenarios you may encounter.
You’ll learn skills like:
- Machine learning fluency
- Beta testing
- Machine learning dataset fundamentals
- Machine learning system architectures
- Machine learning use cases
- Product storyboarding
- Product proposals
- Model performance metrics
You’ll go along the journey and learn which business use cases would be best for AI and which would be a waste of time and money.
In the final project, you’ll apply these exercises to a business of your choice, solidifying your learning.
This program provides a comprehensive yet accessible AI education, positioning you to harness AI content writing tools in your business.
Price: Month-to-month: $249, Four months: $846
Free Artificial Intelligence Certification Programs to Consider
You don’t need thousands of dollars or an education from Ivy League schools to get AI certified. The courses below offer comprehensive introductions to AI and get your foot in the door to start your future career today.
7. Intel Edge AI Certification
![9 Great Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses for a Skills Boost in 2024 1704299165 586 9 Great Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses for a Skills Boost](https://articles.entireweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1704299165_586_9-Great-Artificial-Intelligence-Certification-Courses-for-a-Skills-Boost.jpeg)
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Specific to the Intel Edge AI hardware and software, the Intel Edge AI Certification covers the fundamental topics necessary to build a deep learning project.
You’ll get hands-on experience with Edge AI tools and platforms like the Intel® Distribution of OpenVINO™ toolkit and Intel® Developer Cloud for the Edge.
Imagine detecting safety gear or preventing retail losses using computer vision deep-learning inference. You’ll learn to deploy pre-trained models for computer vision and develop deep-learning inference applications
Upon completion, you’ll have a portfolio of edge AI solutions, showcasing your proficiency in TensorFlow, PyTorch, Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX), and other public models.
8. Jetson AI Certification
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NVIDIA is a pioneering tech powerhouse known primarily for its graphics processing units (GPUs) for gaming and professional markets. The company has since transitioned into AI computing, becoming the parent company of Jetson.
By leveraging its deep learning capabilities to develop advanced platforms for autonomous machines, the company created the Jetson AI Certification program.
This artificial intelligence certification is a great way to get familiar with Jetson and understand how it works within your business needs.
The program is designed for several different AI technologies, including:
- Developers
- Educators
- Students
- Lifelong learners
You’ll be required to create a project that incorporates AI elements (machine learning or deep learning) with GPU acceleration using NVIDIA Jetson. To enhance your understanding, you’ll make a video demonstration showing how your project works and how it was developed.
There are two paths to earn the Jetson AI certification: a Jetson AI specialist or a Jetson AI Ambassador. The ambassador program opens access to many other products and is ideal for educators and instructors.
9. AI for Everyone
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One of the best introductory AI courses available is AI for Everyone. From designers and writers to engineers and business leaders, anyone can learn the basics of AI and how it can be incorporated into their work from this artificial intelligence course.
AI for Everyone goes deep into the terminology behind AI so you can be familiar with common lingo like machine learning, deep learning, algorithms, and more. It gives you a foundation to work from and build more AI skills as you progress in your career.
You’ll learn the limitations of AI and what it can and can’t do, along with how to recognize when AI can be used to solve a business problem. This is a skill that will become increasingly important as businesses adopt AI and machine learning into everyday operations.
The certification program offers guidance on working with an AI team and navigating ethical discussions around AI. You can learn what the challenges of implementing AI are and how successful teams are in creating unbiased and fair algorithms.
Comprising four modules, this seven-hour course is a time-efficient way to boost your AI knowledge and implementation. While technical students may already know most of this knowledge, if you’re new to AI you will gain a solid foundation to progress from.
Final Thoughts: 9 Artificial Intelligence Options to Boost Your Skills
The world of Artificial Intelligence is opening doors and creating new opportunities in every industry.
These nine accessible and affordable AI certificate programs enable you to expand your skill set and stay competitive in an evolving market.
Whether enhancing your webpage with SEO techniques or refining your business decisions through AI, these skills can propel your professional journey to new heights.
Apply, experiment, and continue to explore the dynamic landscape of AI.
Take a look at our article on the best certifications to work from home for more suggestions.
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Unlock Simplified, Pro-grade Design Capabilities with Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11
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Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
For entrepreneurs and design professionals who are looking to elevate their projects, Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11 offers a powerful yet user-friendly solution that combines precision, versatility, and an extensive object library—all for just $39.99 (reg. $330).
Whether you’re a seasoned architect or a DIY enthusiast, this software offers a seamless blend of simplicity and sophistication. Its intuitive interface guides you through every step of the design process, from sketching floor plans to visualizing your space in stunning 3D.
This Windows-only software is designed to make your workflow more efficient and your designs more precise. It has a host of powerful tools and features that simplify complex tasks. For instance, the program offers dedicated input modes for walls, windows, and doors, allowing you to quickly and accurately define key elements of your project. Additionally, numerical editing tools provide even greater precision, ensuring that every measurement and modification is spot on.
Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11 has auto-save functionality and reminders to save your work manually, so you never have to worry about losing progress. The context menu supports cut, copy, and paste functions, making it easier to manage different elements of your design. With powerful floor plan analysis and correction features, you can quickly identify and address any issues before they become problems.
It has extensive object catalogs that provide a wide range of 3D objects and more than 250 ready-to-use object groups. From pre-designed garages and kitchen lines to garden houses and saunas, these objects make adding detail and realism to your projects easy. You can also create your own catalog directories and use them directly in the software, customizing your designs to fit your unique vision.
With more than 20 million users, this software provides all the tools you need to help bring your vision to life.
Get a lifetime license to Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11 now and pay just $39.99 (reg. $330) for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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4 Tips for Building Stronger Relationships Between IT and Non-Technical Teams
![4 Tips for Building Stronger Relationships Between IT and Non-Technical Teams 4 Tips for Building Stronger Relationships Between IT and Non-Technical Teams](https://articles.entireweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-Tips-for-Building-Stronger-Relationships-Between-IT-and-Non-Technical.jpg)
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Most companies have some form of dedicated IT management. According to a workforce survey, the common IT to non-technical staff ratio is typically around 4% of all personnel.
These IT individuals and departments often need to communicate with the other staffers throughout a company. From basic day-to-day activities to long-term collaborations, meeting deadlines and maintaining security, it’s important that the relationship between IT and the non-technical workforce is not just existent but effective.
If you’re aware of a lack of quality in your IT-related inter-departmental collaborations, here are four ways to enhance communication and build better professional relationships between technical and non-technical teams.
1. Establish and promote healthy communication
Communication cannot be overlooked in any business setting. As the workforce becomes more geographically diversified by distance and time zones, it’s important to maintain communication, not just with teams but between departments. This is ground zero, especially in an isolated area like IT.
One way to enhance communication is through regular cross-team meetings. Many companies hold recurring meetings where everyone comes together to hear company-wide updates and generally realign themselves. If the thought of a full company meeting sounds like a mammoth, intimidating and time-sucking use of resources, never fear. There are multiple ways you can implement this concept efficiently.
For instance, Zappos holds its well-known all-hands meetings three times a year. Spacing out these larger communal moments helps make them special.
If meeting is a problem in any quantity, you can go a different route: pre-recorded messages. If you choose this option, though, be warned that simple video messaging can become just as confusing and lengthy as a meeting. Instead, look for tools that help you send purposeful, value-centered messages.
Marketing platform Drift, for instance, used the communications tool Zight to improve its internal communication. The company used screen recorder technology to send annotated, knowledge-based videos to their employees. This organized and enhanced the purpose of each message, making it easier to reference later on without rewatching the entire thing.
The takeaway? Invest in some form of healthy cross-departmental communication that fits with your workflow.
2. Use jargon-free language
Removing jargon and technical terms from basic inter-departmental communication starts at the top. IT leaders must demonstrate how to remove dense language when talking, recording, typing and otherwise engaging with coworkers.
This isn’t just because leading by example is effective. It’s also because workplace jargon often finds its largest adherents in the upper echelons of a business. One study from MyPerfectResume found that 33% of those asked considered upper management to be the most likely to overuse workplace jargon.
Even worse? A third of those asked had also used jargon that they didn’t even understand. Use jargon-free language. It keeps communication transparent and avoids peer pressure and embarrassment from undermining effective understanding between IT and other teams.
Related: Here’s Why You Absolutely Have to Stop Using Jargon at Work
3. Bridge knowledge gaps with cross-functional training
Specialization and niche knowledge are defining factors for IT teams. Tech workers’ value comes from their ability to bridge the gap between humans and machines. However, this expertise isn’t as effective if the communication gap between IT staff and other personnel widens too far.
One way to keep all staff on the same playing field is to engage in cross-functional training. This is the process of educating employees from various departments in disciplines that are complementary to their own focus. It emphasizes shared knowledge and helps teams both respect and understand their respective duties in the larger context of business operations.
Google has mastered the art of cross-departmental training. On the one hand, the company famously used its whisper courses — a series of micro-lessons in email form — to teach small teamwork lessons. In addition, the search engine giant encourages employee-to-employee training. This shares knowledge in a peer-to-peer fashion and maintains a culture of learning.
Again, the takeaway here is that you don’t have to follow a formula for cross-departmental training. Find something that works for your setup, and then invest in it.
4. Cultivate a culture of inclusivity
Inclusivity is a common workplace culture goal. It emphasizes making all members of a workforce feel welcome. It seeks to embrace gender, age and other demographic differences and to incorporate the strengths of each individual and team into a company’s operations.
This is a powerful way to keep IT and non-technical personnel connected and respectful of one another’s contributions. As a central focus of how a company operates, an emphasis on empathy and respect helps keep those all-important communication channels open and healthy.
No company has demonstrated genuine, effective inclusivity in business activity quite as well as Pixar. The media company is famous for its ability to develop high-quality ideas and, at the same time, make sure everyone feels welcome and part of the conversation.
The company’s “Notes Days” are a poignant example. These are days when the entire company shuts down and comes together to collectively brainstorm. The result is some of the best inter-departmental collaboration in modern history.
If you want your tech and non-tech teams to connect, make them feel included.
Related: How to Build an Inclusive Culture That Permeates All Levels of the Organization
Breaking down barriers between IT and the rest of the professional work world
The IT department has become an integral part of most modern businesses. But it cannot operate in a vacuum. Miscommunications can lead to confused expectations, missed deadlines and even compromised safety and security.
It’s essential that leaders make an effort to align their IT and non-technical teams. This keeps everyone informed and up-to-date as you work together to achieve the same goal as a business.
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5 Ways Kamala Harris Can Support The Franchise Community
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
The five weeks between the Republican and Democratic conventions could have been a lifetime, as a brand-new Democratic ticket formed in record speed. As always, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is neutral in presidential elections and we will work with whoever is in the White House for the betterment of our model. Just as we were in Milwaukee for the RNC, we were on the ground in Chicago, educating candidates and campaigns about all the good franchising provides, especially for minority-owned businesses.
More highlights from championing franchising with lawmakers in Chicago at the #DNC2024. IFA is proud to work with members across the aisle on policies that support the franchise business model and its 9M employees in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/vexxskHpuK
— IFA (@Franchising411) August 21, 2024
Like many Americans, the franchise community is interested in learning more about Vice President Harris’ vision and policy priorities, which she characterized in her acceptance speech as an Opportunity Agenda. It is encouraging that one of her early commercials features her time working at McDonald’s. In fact, if elected, Harris, along with her husband Doug Emhoff, will share a common thread with the 1 in 8 Americans
who have worked at McDonald’s. To genuinely support the franchise business model, here are five concrete ways Vice President Harris can appeal to the franchise community.
Be a champion for franchising
First, Vice President Harris should be a champion for franchising and use every day on the campaign trail to visit franchises and meet their employees in swing states — and everywhere in between. Doing so will unlock franchising as a component of the Opportunity Agenda, including the unique benefits of franchising for all stakeholders involved in the model.
Those stakeholders are substantial — from the nearly 9 million employees who work for America’s 800,000 franchise businesses (and earn higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised employees) to the franchise owners themselves, who are more diverse in race and gender than non-franchises.
Abandon an expanded joint employer rule
Second, Vice President Harris talked at the DNC about working with business and labor. Yet, one of labor’s top priorities has been a joint employer rule that would effectively destroy franchising. A Harris administration that wants to support small business creation must abandon efforts to implement an expanded joint employer rule.
Bipartisan majorities in congress and a federal court have rejected expanding the joint employer test to include reserved and indirect control. Even Democratic supermajorities in the California legislature, and her home-state Governor Gavin Newsom, rejected joint employer liability. This created a pathway to negotiate a bill with organized labor that preserved franchisee equity in their business, and creating predictable increases in the minimum wage.
Call for pro-small business tax policies
Third, Vice President Harris should call for pro-small business tax policies, given the expired and expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA). These include extending the qualified business income deduction (QBID), also known as the section 199A deduction, and restoring a pro-growth interest deductibility standard that expired at the end of 2022.
Extending the 199A deduction, along with passing the bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act — which garnered overwhelming bipartisan support in the House this year — would greatly benefit franchise owners. This legislation would increase the amount of interest owners can deduct from their income taxes, offer temporary bonus depreciation for the purchase of equipment and short-lived capital assets and include other pro-business and pro-worker provisions.
These actions would provide small business entrepreneurs with a competitive edge over large corporations and demonstrate that Vice President Harris is committed to addressing the needs of the small business community. She can chart a new path and extend an open hand to the business community by putting the politics aside and commit to extending a policy they have come to rely on. Without action, every business owner in country wakes up on January 1, 2026, facing a tax increase.
Increase lending limits at the SBA
Fourth, increase lending limits at the Small Business Association (SBA) and boost access to the 7(a) Working Capital Pilot (WCP) program. During her acceptance speech, Harris pledged to, “provide access to capital for small-business owners and entrepreneurs and founders.” Launched earlier this year, WCP is a line of credit product that features an annual guaranty fee structure that works to offer greater flexibility than a traditional term loan to meet specific business needs.
Accessing capital is increasingly challenging in such a high-interest rate environment. The SBA pitched the concept as a means of breaking down barriers seeking to start their own pathway to entrepreneurship, where the franchise model is poised to continue playing a major role.
Outline a future for the Federal Trade Commission
Finally, Harris should outline a future for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that includes a modernization of the Franchise Rule, a federal regulation solely enforced by the FTC that governs the sale of a franchise. Currently under review by the FTC, the Franchise Rule hasn’t been updated since 2007 — the same year the first iPhone was introduced.
Research published in the Wall Street Journal showed it took more than 20 years of education to understand a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and a federal investigation found many prospective franchisees did not read the disclosures at all. This needs to change, especially during the pre-sale process when a prospective franchisee is deciding whether to invest significant financial resources in a franchise.
A Harris administration would be wise to course-correct the FTC to foster entrepreneurial development in franchising and double-down on the true mission of the FTC — to protect consumers and prospective franchisees. The franchise business model encourages workforce development and small business formulation in local communities, we look forward to working with any administration and any political party toward that important goal.
Related: Is Franchising Right For You? Ask Yourself These 9 Questions to Find Out.
Matt Haller is the President and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA). Greg Flynn is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Flynn Group and Flynn Properties, and an IFA Board Member. With 2,700+ Applebee’s, Taco Bells, Paneras, Arby’s, Pizza Huts, Wendy’s and Planet Fitness units generating $4.7+ billion in sales and employing 75,000+ people in 44 states and 3 countries, Flynn Group is the largest franchise operator in the world.
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