The conversations around artificial intelligence (AI) are growing in every shape, form and industry. According to Stanford University’s latest Artificial Intelligence Index Report, AI is becoming deeply woven into our daily lives, from diagnosing diseases with AI-enabled medical devices to powering self-driving cars. The business world isn’t far behind either: 78 per cent of organisations reported using AI in 2024, driven by strong evidence that it boosts productivity and helps close skill gaps across teams.
Whether you’re using AI to create Ghibli-esque art or crunching data for your next pitch, the integration of AI into our everyday lives is undeniable. Since its launch in 2022, ChatGPT, the generative AI chatbot by OpenAI, has gone from being “viral” to a platform that is used on a daily basis, whether you’re using it to write your emails, charting out a workout plan for you, or creating a recipe out of your leftovers in the fridge.
And that’s just the basic level of making use of AI to make your life a little bit easier. To help more people harness AI’s potential, OpenAI has launched OpenAI Academy–a free learning platform designed for students, educators, job-seekers, nonprofits, and small businesses. Through online courses and offline events, the Academy aims to boost AI literacy and unlock smarter ways to work and create.
Here are some of the best free courses to get you started on your AI-powered growth journey.
1. ChatGPT at Work: To boost productivity
This course is your golden ticket to delegating the dull stuff to AI. ChatGPT at Work helps professionals streamline daily tasks; think email drafting, meeting summaries, and brainstorming sessions on autopilot. Whether you’re battling deadlines or just trying to make your 9-to-5 feel less like Groundhog Day, this course shows you how to make ChatGPT your new favourite coworker.
2. Developer Build Hours: For AI integration
Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, Developer Build Hours gives you the blueprints to integrate ChatGPT into real-world use cases, like automated assistants, content generators, and more. It’s part tutorial, part hackathon, and all high-impact learning.
3. Sora Tutorials: AI for creativity
Who says AI doesn’t have an imagination? With Sora Tutorials, creativity meets code in an interesting way. You can learn how to use OpenAI’s Sora for storytelling, video creation, and content that actually makes people stop scrolling. Whether you’re a filmmaker with no budget or a social media manager with no time, this course will teach you to turn abstract prompts into compelling narratives.
4. AI for K–12 Educators: Responsible AI use
AI for K–12 Educators isn’t about replacing you with a robot, it’s about equipping you with smarter tools for smarter classrooms. Learn how to integrate AI into lesson plans, assignments, and even grading, all while teaching your students digital responsibility. It’s the AI course for educators who want to prepare kids for the future, without letting ChatGPT write their essays.
5. ChatGPT on Campus: AI for academic success
It’s not cheating, it’s studying smarter. From exam prep and research help to essay outlines and idea generation, this course shows how to ethically and effectively use AI in academics. Whether you’re cramming for finals or figuring out what to major in, this course offers hacks that might just keep your GPA in check.
