Introduction to Generative AI review
Google Cloud · google
A short, no-code explainer on what generative AI is and how it differs from other machine learning.
What does it take?
| Difficulty | 1 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Not checked yet |
| Format | Video |
| Maths needed | No maths |
| Coding needed | No code |
| Hardware needed | Not checked yet |
| Certificate | Free certificate |
| Free to audit | Yes |
| Pace | Self-paced |
| Last updated by the provider | Not checked yet |
Who should take it, and who should skip it?
Take it if you are
- Busy professionals who want the short version
- Anyone who needs a fast primer before a longer course
Skip it if you are
- Anyone who wants to build something
- People who already know what an LLM is
What will you be able to do after it?
- Explain what generative AI is in one paragraph
- Tell generative models apart from other ML
- Name a few Google tools that use it
What's in each module?
| Module | What it covers |
|---|---|
| What generative AI is | Definitions and how it relates to machine learning. |
| How it works | A conceptual look at models that generate text and images. |
| Google's tools | Where Google applies it today. |
What we liked, and what we didn't
What we liked
- Short
- Free
- Clear definitions
What we didn't
- Leans on Google's own products
- No hands-on practice
What's the catch?
It doubles as a showcase for Google Cloud products, so expect some product placement.
What should you take before it?
Nothing. This is a starting course: you need no AI or coding background.
What should you take after it?
- Generative AI for Everyone
What large language models can actually do for you and your team, without writing a line of code. Andrew Ng teaches it in 6 hours on Coursera, certificate paid.
How we rated it: 6.8 out of 10
| Criterion | Score out of 10 |
|---|---|
| Clarity | 7 |
| Hands-on practice | 2 |
| Up to date | 7 |
| Depth | 4 |
| Truly free | 10 |
So should you take it?
Useful if you need a quick, credible overview before a meeting. Too thin to be your only course, so pair it with Generative AI for Everyone for more depth.
Where to go next
- Google: our platform review
What else it offers, and what costs money.
- Elements of AI
The gentlest way in: a University of Helsinki course with no code and no maths beyond school level. It takes about 24 to 48 hours and the certificate is free.
- AI For Everyone
Andrew Ng's non-technical primer on what AI is good for and how to plan around it at work. It takes 7 hours on Coursera, and the certificate is paid.
- Machine Learning Crash Course
Google's Machine Learning Crash Course has 12 modules and takes about 13.5 hours by Google's own timings. It is free, with quiz badges and no certificate.
Last checked .
Not sure this is the one?
Answer two questions and we'll point you to the course that fits where you are today.