Which Introduction to AI Is Best for You? Google vs. IBM vs. DeepLearning.AI
Build important AI skills and get comfortable with this crucial emerging technology with three different programs from esteemed industry partners on Coursera. Learn more about their differences and which is best for your career goals.
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Key takeaways
Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly transforming how many of us work today. If you want to build your skills using AI, you might be interested in enrolling in either the Google AI Essentials Specialization, IBM AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization, or DeepLearning.AI course AI for Everyone on Coursera. Which is best for you depends on your goals:
If you want to build practical generative AI skills: Google AI Essentials Specialization.
If you want to learn AI for business: IBM AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization.
If you want a non-technical overview of AI: Deeplearning.AI's course AI for Everyone.
Below, we’ll review the differences between these artificial intelligence-focused programs in greater detail. Afterward, if you want to gain access to all three, consider subscribing to Coursera Plus.
Introductory AI programs on Coursera: Key differences
Google and IBM's Specializations, as well as DeepLearning.AI's course, all offer an overview of artificial intelligence suitable for beginners. Specializations are a series of courses that teach practical skills and award credentials from industry partners upon completion, while courses are a concentrated way to grasp the fundamentals of a complex topic.
Here’s what you can expect from each:
| Google AI Essentials | IBM AI Foundations for Everyone | DeepLearning.AI AI for Everyone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Specialization | Specialization | Course |
| Level | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner |
| Modules | 5 courses | 4 courses | 1 course (4 modules) |
| Estimated time to completion | 4 hours | 1 month (at 10 hours a week) | 6 hours |
| Special topic emphasis | Workplace applications, daily task optimization, prompt engineering, productivity improvement, responsible AI | No-code development, chatbot creation and deployment, and practical business applications of AI | Strategic understanding of AI technology, AI business strategy development, AI ethics, AI implementation |
| Key skills | Generative AI, prompt engineering, content creation, process optimization | Generative AI, prompt engineering, no-code development, chatbot creation | AI project management, AI ethics, AI business strategy |
| Emerging technologies | Generative AI, Google Gemini | Generative AI, ChatGPT | Generative AI, deep learning technologies |
| Other important differences | Emphasis on immediate workplace application for GenAI | Focus on IBM Watson ecosystem, business application, and hands-on chatbot building and deployment | Overview of strategic and organizational implementation of an AI system, designed for both technical and non-technical learners |
| Best for | Working professionals seeking immediate, practical GenAI applications, individuals looking to boost their daily productivity, and those wanting hands-on experience with a tool | Business professionals looking to implement AI systems, workers wanting to build practical AI applications without coding, website managers and business owners | Professionals wanting a strategic and conceptual understanding of AI rather than technical skills development, and individuals responsible for organizational AI implementation |
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Google AI Essentials Specialization: Topics, tools, and skills
Google is one of the most recognizable tech companies in the world, responsible for such popular platforms as Google Search, Google Workspace, and Google Gemini.
The Google AI Essentials Specialization brings the company’s expertise to learners by introducing them to essential concepts, techniques, and use cases of generative AI. If you’re interested in a practical, hands-on program focused on implementing generative AI responsibly for productivity purposes, the Google AI Essentials Specialization may be right for you.
Topics
The Google AI Essentials Specialization introduces learners to fundamental concepts and techniques in generative AI. Some of the topics covered include:
| Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to AI fundamentals | AI productivity tools and applications | Prompt engineering techniques |
| Responsible AI usage | Staying current with AI developments | Workplace AI implementation |
Tools
In this Specialization, you’ll familiarize yourself with a range of tools, particularly those developed by Google.
| Tools | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI | Google Gemini | AI in Google Workspace (Docs, Slides, Sheets, Meet, and Gmail) |
Skills
This program prioritizes the practical application of generative AI for enhancing daily productivity and task optimization. Here are the key skills you can expect to build:
| Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI usage | Prompt engineering | Content creation |
| Process optimization | Responsible AI | Business workflow analysis |
Ideal for:
Working professionals looking for immediate, practical application of generative AI.
Individuals interested in boosting daily productivity.
Workers who need to create content and streamline workflows.
Those looking for hands-on tool experience.
IBM AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization: Topics, tools, and skills
IBM is one of the oldest and largest technology companies in the world, known for its wide range of computer hardware, software, and cloud services.
The IBM AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization provides a deep understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of AI and practical training in key techniques like prompt engineering and no-code chatbot development. Designed for individuals with no prior experience, this program provides technical insight and real-world applications of AI for business purposes.
Topics
The IBM AI Foundations for Everyone Specialization covers both foundational AI concepts and practical implementation, with a focus on no-code solutions using IBM Watson.
| Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| AI fundamentals and applications | Generative AI capabilities | Prompt engineering basics |
| Chatbot development | Industry-specific AI applications | No-code AI implementation |
Tools
The Specialization offers hands-on experience with a range of AI tools, including ChatGPT and IBM’s own platforms. Tools you’ll work with include:
| Tools | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI | ChatGPT | IBM Watson AI Services |
| Chatbots | No-code AI development platforms | IBM Cloud platform |
Skills
In IBM’s program, you’ll build a range of practical AI skills that will boost your ability to implement the technology at work. These include:
| Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI uses | Prompt engineering | No-code development |
| Chatbot building | Responsible AI | IBM cloud usage |
Ideal for:
Business professionals interested in implementing AI solutions.
Professionals wanting to build practical AI applications without coding.
Website managers and business owners.
DeepLearning.AI’s AI for Everyone course: Topics, tools, and skills
Created by noted AI researcher and Coursera co-founder Andrew Ng, DeepLearning.AI offers an online series of AI courses created and presented by experts in the field.
DeepLearning.AI’s course AI for Everyone provides an overview of artificial intelligence, including common terminology, what it can (and can’t) do, and how to identify potential use cases in your workflows. If you want a non-technical breakdown of AI and how to build an AI strategy for your company, this beginner-friendly course is for you.
Topics
In the AI for Everyone course, you’ll explore the fundamentals of AI and how to implement it at your organization. Key topics include:
| Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| AI terminology and concepts | Machine learning basics | AI project development |
| AI strategy development | AI ethics | Organized AI implementation |
Tools
DeepLearning.AI’s AI for Everyone course focuses on understanding the key concepts you need to know to effectively understand and strategically implement AI in the workplace. As a result, while you’ll learn about tools like Generative AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision, you won’t use them through the course.
Skills
You’ll develop a range of artificial intelligence skills in this beginner-level course. These include:
| Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| AI project management | Data science fundamentals | Strategic thinking |
| Ethical AI deployment | Neural network understanding | Business strategy development |
Ideal for:
Non-technical professionals who want an overview of AI.
Company leaders and executives.
Business strategists.
Individuals working with AI teams.
Learn more about AI on Coursera
AI is already transforming how professionals work across industries. Keep your skills fresh and competitive by exploring these free resources from Coursera:
Watch on YouTube: Generative AI: The Future of Creative Work (Beginner's Guide)
Explore AI courses: Coursera’s AI Course Hub Page
Read more: AI and Machine Learning Articles Hub
Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.
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