Elements of AI is a series of free online courses created by MinnaLearn and the University of Helsinki, open to anyone who wants to learn what AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how AI methods are built. You can start whenever you like and work at your own pace. At Youth Works Hub, we read the official course page and summarised what the two courses offer. Note that this is an independent online learning programme and is not part of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps.
What Elements of AI Is
🧠 Elements of AI is a series of free online courses with one goal: to demystify AI. The courses combine theory with practical exercises.
🌐 More than 2 million people have already joined, according to the course page.
🏛️ The courses are created by MinnaLearn and the University of Helsinki, who want to encourage as broad a group of people as possible to learn about AI.
⏱️ You complete the courses at your own pace, with no fixed start date, so you can join at any time.
Part 1: Introduction to AI
📘 Introduction to AI is a free online course for everyone interested in learning what AI is, what is possible (and not possible) with AI, and how it affects our lives.
➗ No complicated math or programming is required, which makes it a good starting point if you have no technical background.
🔍 The course answers questions such as how AI might affect your job or your life, what AI really means and how it is created.
Part 2: Building AI
🛠️ Building AI is a free online course where you learn about the actual algorithms that make creating AI methods possible.
🐍 Some basic Python programming skills are recommended to get the most out of the course.
🚀 It is the natural next step if you finish Part 1 and want to understand how AI methods are started and built.
Who Can Join
🙋 The courses are for as broad a group of people as possible: there is no registration or application step, and you start the courses directly on the website.
🌍 The site is available in a global version and in more than 30 country and language versions. You can choose your country on the website.
Questions the Course Helps You Answer
💼 Are you wondering how AI might affect your job or your life?
🤔 Do you want to learn more about what AI really means and how it is created?
🔮 Do you want to understand how AI will develop and affect us in the coming years?
AI Literacy Options for Companies and Individuals
🏢 For companies, the site offers AI Literacy for your staff: "AI Literacy in 60 minutes" is described as training for capable, safe AI adoption, mapped directly to the EU AI Act.
📜 For individuals, the site offers AI Literacy for yourself: you can earn a certificate on general AI literacy in 60 minutes to demonstrate your readiness to use AI responsibly at work.
Cost
🆓 Both Part 1 and Part 2 are free online courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Elements of AI courses free?
Yes. The official page describes Introduction to AI and Building AI as free online courses.
Do I need to know programming to start?
No. Introduction to AI requires no complicated math or programming. For Building AI, some basic Python programming skills are recommended.
How long do I have to finish the courses?
There is no deadline. The courses can be completed at your own pace, and you can start at any time.
Who created Elements of AI?
MinnaLearn and the University of Helsinki created the series.
Is this an Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps programme?
No. Elements of AI is an independent online learning programme and is not part of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps. To see how we check the opportunities we share, read how Youth Works Hub verifies opportunities.
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
