how to learn AI

Sugath Karunarathne 0 Reputation points
2026-11-13T09:26:08.7733333+00:00

I use some APPs of AI to get my works done in day today occasions. but I want to learn AI from the beginning. tell me best AI course free of charge to follow as a beginner and government executive level professional with nearly 20 years experience.

best regards

sugath

Azure | Azure Training
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  1. Marcin Policht 112.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-11-13T12:23:27.8566667+00:00

    If you're a senior government executive with decades of experience, likely the best free starting point is a structured path on Microsoft Learn that combines executive strategy with select, non-coding modules from the AI-901 technical curriculum. While you already use AI apps daily, starting with leadership-focused training will give you the vocabulary, governance frameworks, and architectural understanding needed to lead agency-wide adoption without getting bogged down in software engineering.

    Use the free self-paced curriculum for Drive AI transformation in your organization (Course AB-731T00). This course requires zero coding and is built specifically for directors, executives, and policy leaders. Begin with the core module Understand the Foundations of Generative AI for Business Leaders, which explains how generative models, Copilot, and AI agents work in plain terms. From there, complete the Transform your business with AI learning path to master organizational strategy, risk management, and responsible AI governance. If you ever decide to validate your leadership knowledge formally, these free modules prepare you for the optional Microsoft Certified: AI Transformation Leader credential.

    Once you understand the leadership fundamentals, you should integrate the conceptual half of Exam AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals. The free training for this exam, found under Course AI-901T00-A: Introduction to AI in Azure, is divided into two parts. The first one covers AI concepts, responsible AI principles, and core capabilities like computer vision, speech, and document processing, which is conceptual. The second one focuses on building solutions using Microsoft Foundry, requiring basic Python coding and Software Development Kit (SDK) skills.

    Finally, to understand how Microsoft's flagship AI platform works in practice, explore the Training for Microsoft Foundry hub. Microsoft Foundry is the unified workspace where agencies build, evaluate, and govern custom AI models and agents. You can take the introductory Get started with AI applications and agents on Azure learning path, which walks you through the Foundry portal, model catalogs, and basic no-code agent concepts so you can effectively oversee technical teams and vendors.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-13T09:27:03.5666667+00:00

    Start with the free Transform your business with Microsoft AI learning path, which is designed specifically for beginner-level business leaders and professionals responsible for organizational strategy.^1^

    1. Transform your business with Microsoft AI This four-module path requires only a basic understanding of business and IT concepts. It covers:
      • AI tools and underlying concepts
      • Creating measurable business value with AI
      • Responsible AI, governance, and safeguards
      • Scaling AI and assigning responsibilities across an organization
      These subjects are particularly relevant to a government executive evaluating policy, risk, service delivery, governance, and organizational adoption.^1^
    2. Introduction to AI for business users Complete this beginner path next. It has no prerequisites and introduces practical business technologies such as Power BI and Power Platform, including AI-driven insights, reporting, and process improvement.^2^
    3. Apply each topic to government work After every module, write a short example containing:
      • The public-service problem
      • The data that would be required
      • The expected benefit
      • Privacy, fairness, transparency, and accountability risks
      • The human approval or oversight required
      Suitable starter cases include summarizing non-confidential documents, drafting public communications, classifying citizen requests, and analyzing anonymized service trends. Do not enter confidential, personal, or restricted government information into a public AI application unless your organization has approved it.
    4. Continue to technical fundamentals only if needed If the goal expands from managing AI initiatives to understanding how solutions are built, use the current AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals study resources. AI-901 covers responsible AI, generative and agentic AI, language, speech, computer vision, information extraction, prompting, Microsoft Foundry, and lightweight applications.^3^ This stage is more technical. Microsoft specifies conceptual Azure knowledge, familiarity with Azure resources, and foundational Python syntax and programming techniques for AI-901. Learn basic Python and Azure concepts first if those areas are unfamiliar.

    A practical weekly schedule

    Allow approximately three to four hours each week:

    • Week 1: Basic AI terminology and common workloads
    • Week 2: AI tools and potential government use cases
    • Week 3: Business value and selecting worthwhile projects
    • Week 4: Responsible AI, privacy, fairness, and accountability
    • Week 5: Governance, roles, controls, and organizational adoption
    • Week 6: Power BI and Power Platform overview
    • Weeks 7–10: Optional AI-901 technical fundamentals and exercises

    Microsoft Learn also provides hundreds of free AI training modules, so the catalog can be used to explore individual subjects after completing the structured paths.^4^

    Training versus certification

    The Microsoft Learn materials can be studied free of charge. A certification is separate: completing training does not automatically award the professional certification, and certification exams are typically paid.^5^

    Certification is optional for learning. For an executive role, completing the business-leader paths and developing a responsible AI proposal for a real organizational process may be more immediately useful. Consider AI-901 certification later if formal validation of technical fundamentals is important.

    References

    1. Transform your business with Microsoft AI AI-3017 - Training
    2. Introduction to AI for business users - Training
    3. Study guide for Exam AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
    4. How can I use Microsoft to learn AI? - Microsoft Q&A
    5. Is this program and free and will I will get a certificate after completion of a course? - Microsoft Q&A
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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