Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere: enhancing smart devices, augmenting business processes, and permeating industry from tech to finance to healthcare. As these tools grow more advanced – and common – demand for professionals skilled in AI innovation and development has soared. Obtaining an artificial intelligence certification is one way to prove you have the skills to get ahead.

What is an artificial intelligence certification?

An artificial intelligence certification is a document or badge certifying that you’ve mastered specific AI-related topics or skills. These courses may cover anything from beginner-level algebra and statistics to deep dives into advanced subjects like:

• Ethics in AI
• Programming languages
• Robotics
• Predictive modeling
• Computer vision
• Machine learning
• Natural language processing
• Neural network architecture

These courses also offer varying levels of hands-on work, from theory to designing and programming your own AI models. You’ll also grow familiar with AI libraries like Pandas and SciPy, as well as platforms like TensorFlow and PyTorch.

Why get an artificial intelligence certification?

AI is a new and rapidly-evolving field, with the global market expected to expand over 33% by 2028. Whether you’re a beginning learner or subject matter expert, obtaining an AI certificate (or five) keeps you up-to-date on recent innovations. Plus, your status as a “forever learner” improves your eligibility for hire at more prestigious firms.

How to choose the right AI certificate

Anyone can offer an “AI certificate” online, so it’s essential to do your homework before signing up. Consider each course:

• Topic and level of expertise
• Cost and potential financial aid opportunities 
• Time commitment
• Flexibility (self-paced versus set schedules)
• Remote or in-person learning requirements
• Reputation and name recognition
• Peer network and course support

The goal is to find courses that provide essential knowledge and skills taught by an actual subject matter expert. You’ll also want to avoid courses that focus on outdated concepts, techniques and programming languages.

Where to find AI certificate courses

Several educational and tech giants offer AI courses at varying levels of expertise, accessibility and price points. Each sets its own prerequisites, such as prior expertise, programming experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Some of the biggest names in AI education and certification include:

• MIT 
• Stanford University
• Berkeley
• Cornell University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• IBM
• Google AI
• Microsoft
• The Artificial Intelligence Board of America 
• The United States Artificial Intelligence Institute
• And deep learning research expert Andrew Ng

Many of these – including Stanford, UC Berkeley, IBM and Andrew Ng – offer courses through sites like Coursera, Udemy and LinkedIn. Still, it’s essential to thoroughly vet any opportunities before handing over your credit card information.

What this means for you

Here at Q.ai, we’re not AI educators: we’re investors and opportunists. We don’t offer any certificates or courses – but that doesn’t mean we keep the awesome power of AI to ourselves.

To the contrary: we capitalize on AI’s machine learning abilities to offer investors our unique AI-backed Investment Kits. From Emerging Tech to Infrastructure to Guilty Pleasures, we make it possible to pursue thematic, risk-adjusted financial advancement.

Better yet, we don’t charge a cent to invest in your future. That’s the power of AI.