Which AI Course Should You Take First?
A Beginner’s Perspective
If you're new to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and wondering where to start, you're not alone. With hundreds of courses out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news? You don’t need a PhD in math or computer science to get started — just curiosity, commitment, and the right course.
Here’s a beginner-friendly breakdown to help you pick your first AI course wisely.
🎯 Step 1: Know Your Starting Point
Ask yourself:
Do I know basic Python?
Am I comfortable with high school math (algebra, maybe some basic calculus)?
Do I want theory, practical coding, or both?
If you’re a complete beginner with no coding or math experience, start with intro-level courses that explain AI concepts in plain English. If you’ve done a bit of Python or taken an intro data science course, you’re ready to dive into basic machine learning.
🔰 Top Beginner-Friendly AI Courses to Start With
1. 🧠 “AI For Everyone” by Andrew Ng (Coursera)
Level: Absolute beginner (non-technical)
Duration: ~6 hours
Focus: What AI is, how it works in business, what it can and can’t do.
Why Take It First?
No coding or math needed
Great foundation before diving into programming
Taught by one of the most respected AI educators
👉 Best for: Business professionals, decision-makers, and curious learners.
2. 🐍 “Python for Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp” by Jose Portilla (Udemy)
Level: Beginner
Duration: 25+ hours
Focus: Teaches Python, then gradually builds up to machine learning basics
Why Take It First?
Covers the essential programming skills needed for AI
Lots of practical coding exercises
👉 Best for: Beginners who want to learn AI through coding, especially using Python.
3. 🧑💻 “Machine Learning” by Andrew Ng (Coursera)
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Duration: 11 weeks (~56 hours)
Focus: Core machine learning algorithms, taught using Octave/MATLAB
Why Take It First?
Deep yet clear introduction to machine learning concepts
Heavy on theory, light on programming
👉 Best for: Learners comfortable with math and looking for academic depth.
4. ⚙️ “Artificial Intelligence A-Z™: Learn How to Build an AI” (Udemy)
Level: Beginner (basic Python recommended)
Duration: 16+ hours
Focus: Practical AI with code — from game-playing agents to self-driving car basics
Why Take It First?
Hands-on and engaging
Covers deep learning, Q-learning, and reinforcement learning early
👉 Best for: Visual, hands-on learners who want to build things fast.
📚 Optional Warm-Up Courses
If you need to brush up on key skills, these are great prep steps:
🐍 “Python Basics” (freeCodeCamp or Codecademy)
📊 “Intro to Statistics” (Khan Academy or Udemy)
📐 “Linear Algebra for Beginners” (Coursera or YouTube)
✅ How to Choose the Right First Course
Question If Yes → Take This Course
Do you want zero coding? AI For Everyone (Coursera)
Want to learn Python from scratch? Python for Data Science (Udemy)
Comfortable with math, want theory? Machine Learning by Andrew Ng
Prefer building cool projects early? AI A-Z on Udemy
🏁 Final Tips for Starting Your AI Journey
🎯 Set realistic goals: Aim to understand concepts first, not master every detail.
🧩 Don’t skip Python: Even basic fluency in Python unlocks 90% of beginner AI courses.
💡 Project-based learning works best: Choose a course that builds something cool — it'll motivate you.
🕒 Be consistent: Even 30 minutes a day adds up.
🎓 In Summary: What Should Be Your First AI Course?
If you're just starting out:
👔 AI For Everyone – for a non-technical overview
🧑💻 Python for Data Science Bootcamp – if you're ready to code
🎓 Machine Learning by Andrew Ng – if you're aiming for strong foundations
🤖 AI A-Z (Udemy) – if you prefer learning by doing
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