Explain AI in plain language
Distinguish models, training, inference, prompts, context, tools, and retrieval without relying on hype.
AI-101 · Beginner program
Practical AI Foundations
Understand what AI can do, direct it clearly, check its work, and use it without handing over your judgment.
Recommended pace6–8 weeksWeekly study7–9 hrs/weekTuition$149 USDFormatSelf-paced
EMPLOYER NETWORKPractical work designed for conversations with hiring teams.
US EMPLOYERSAGENCIESSMALL BUSINESSESNONPROFITSPartnership approach →Program overview
01What this course is really about.
This is an AI literacy course for work—not a collection of magic prompts. You will learn a simple mental model for modern generative systems, where their outputs become unreliable, and how to decide whether AI belongs in a task at all.
The exercises use ordinary work: summarizing research, drafting a customer response, organizing information, comparing options, and building a repeatable workflow. Every exercise includes a verification step.
You will leave with one documented workflow that saves time without hiding risk from the person who uses it.
A good fit
This course is likely right for you if…
- 01
You use AI occasionally but cannot predict when it will fail.
- 02
Your workplace expects AI familiarity and you want a responsible foundation.
- 03
You run a small business and need practical uses without exposing private information.
What you’ll learn
02What you should be able to do by the end.
Each outcome is practiced inside the weekly assignments and brought together in the final project.
Write stronger task instructions
Provide context, examples, constraints, output structure, and a clear definition of done.
Evaluate the output
Check accuracy, completeness, reasoning, bias, citation quality, and suitability for the intended use.
Design a repeatable workflow
Break a task into steps, decide where human review belongs, and document the process for another person.
Use AI with appropriate care
Recognize privacy, copyright, discrimination, security, and high-stakes decision risks.
What the work looks like
Three outputs you will learn to build and explain.
These are working documents, not decorative portfolio screens. Each one connects to a weekly assignment and becomes part of the final project.
Workflow specification
Define the job, required context, acceptable output, and the points where a person must review the work.
01Input contract02Output format03Human owner
Evaluation set
Test useful examples, edge cases, and failure conditions before calling a workflow dependable.
01Test case02Pass condition03Failure action
Operating guide
Document when the workflow should be used, what it cannot decide, and how exceptions are escalated.
01Use case02Known limit03Escalation path
Week by week
Your complete study plan.
The suggested schedule creates momentum without pretending life is predictable. Lessons remain available if you need more time.
Week 1What modern AI is—and is not
Build a useful mental model without unnecessary mathematics.
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What modern AI is—and is not
Build a useful mental model without unnecessary mathematics.
LESSONS COVER
- Models and training
- Prediction and generation
- Capabilities
- Hallucination
- Choosing appropriate tasks
WEEKLY WORK
Deliverable: AI task-fit audit
Assessment: AI literacy exam
Week 2Clear instructions and useful context
Replace prompt tricks with a reliable task brief.
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Clear instructions and useful context
Replace prompt tricks with a reliable task brief.
LESSONS COVER
- Task decomposition
- Context
- Examples
- Constraints
- Structured outputs
WEEKLY WORK
Deliverable: Reusable instruction set
Assessment: Instruction design exam
Week 3Research, writing, and analysis workflows
Use AI inside a process rather than as a one-click answer machine.
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Research, writing, and analysis workflows
Use AI inside a process rather than as a one-click answer machine.
LESSONS COVER
- Research plans
- Source checking
- Drafting
- Comparison
- Quality rubrics
WEEKLY WORK
Deliverable: Three verified work exercises
Assessment: Applied workflow exam
Week 4Responsible use and capstone
Document an AI-assisted workflow with clear boundaries and human control.
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Responsible use and capstone
Document an AI-assisted workflow with clear boundaries and human control.
LESSONS COVER
- Privacy
- Bias
- Copyright
- Escalation
- Workflow documentation
WEEKLY WORK
Deliverable: Responsible AI workflow
Assessment: Final responsible-use exam
Final practical project
A responsible AI-assisted work process
Choose a recurring research, writing, customer-service, or operations task. Redesign it so AI handles an appropriate portion while a person retains responsibility for sources, decisions, and release.
What you will submit
- ✓Current-process map
- ✓Risk and data classification
- ✓Instruction set
- ✓Evaluation rubric
- ✓Human review points
- ✓Three test cases
- ✓Operating guide
FINAL SUBMISSION
AI-101
Your name
A responsible AI-assisted work process
Prepared byYour name
01Current-process map
02Risk and data classification
03Instruction set
04Evaluation rubric
05Human review points
This preview shows the structure—not a fabricated student result.
How you’re assessed
You have to do the work—not just play the videos.
Your certificate records completed study and demonstrated understanding. It does not claim accreditation, licensure, or guaranteed employment.
Learn and practice
Read the lessons, study the examples, and complete the guided weekly deliverable.
Pass each section
Score at least 80% on every weekly exam. Explanations and retakes support mastery.
Finish the project
Use the capstone checklist and rubric to produce one connected body of work.
Receive the record
Unlock a numbered, verifiable certificate of completion after all requirements are met.
How the learning can be used
Where these skills show up.
These are realistic applications—not promises of a title, salary, client, or job offer.
At work
AI-literate operations assistantMarketing or communications assistantAdministrative coordinatorCustomer-support associateKnowledge-work generalistIn a business
Assess whether a task is suitable for AIReduce repetitive draftingCreate safer team guidelinesVerify AI-assisted researchDocument a repeatable processTuition
Straightforward pricing.
No subscription is proposed for launch. You will see the complete price before payment and the refund policy before enrollment.
BEGINNER PROGRAM · AI-101
Practical AI Foundations
$149USD
- 6–8 weeks recommended pace
- All written lessons and resources
- Weekly section exams and retakes
- Practical capstone project
- Certificate of completion
Questions before you decide
Course FAQs
Is this course live or instructor-led?+
No. Practical AI Foundations is fully self-paced. The recommended schedule runs for 4 weeks, but you can slow down or move ahead as your time allows.
How do the exams work?+
Every week ends with a scored section exam. You need 80% to pass. After submitting, you can review explanations, return to the relevant lesson, and try again.
What does the certificate represent?+
It records that you completed the lessons, passed all section exams, and submitted the final practical project. It is a non-credit certificate of completion, not an academic degree or professional license.
How long will I have access?+
The proposed purchase includes ongoing access to the course materials and future corrections to the version you enrolled in. Final customer terms will confirm the exact access policy before paid enrollment opens.
Is the beginner level right for me?+
Choose Beginner if you are new to the field, have learned informally, or want to rebuild the basics in a clear order. No previous professional experience is assumed.