Best Free Online Courses to Learn AI & ML in 2025
By AI Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are no longer just buzzwords—they’re powerful technologies shaping industries, transforming businesses, and creating thousands of high-paying jobs globally, including right here in the Philippines.

Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a mid-career professional, or someone simply curious about how machines “learn,” now is the perfect time to dive in. The good news? You don’t need to spend a single peso to get started. We’ve curated the best free AI and ML courses available online in 2025—perfect for beginners, career switchers, or anyone looking to upskill.

Let’s get learning!

? 1. AI For Everyone – Andrew Ng (Coursera)

Level: Beginner
Duration: ~6 hours
Offered by: DeepLearning.AI

This course is a must for anyone who wants to understand how AI is reshaping the world. Taught by AI legend Andrew Ng, this non-technical course is great for business professionals, product managers, and curious minds who want to understand AI strategy and impact.

What you’ll learn:

  • What AI can and cannot do
  • How to navigate AI transformation in organizations
  • Ethical and societal impacts of AI

? 2. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (edX)

Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Duration: 7 weeks (2–4 hours/week)
Offered by: IBM

IBM’s AI course on edX offers a broad overview of the field, including real-world applications and hands-on labs. It’s a fantastic foundation if you want to see the big picture of AI and then go deeper into tools and techniques later.

What you’ll learn:

  • Fundamentals of AI, ML, and Deep Learning
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Use cases and career paths in AI

? 3. Machine Learning – Andrew Ng (Coursera)

Level: Intermediate
Duration: ~11 weeks (5–7 hours/week)
Offered by: Stanford University

This is the OG of online ML courses. It’s been taken by millions (yes, millions!) and remains one of the best. If you’re ready to get hands-on with the math, algorithms, and code behind machine learning, this is your go-to.

What you’ll learn:

  • Supervised and unsupervised learning
  • Best practices in machine learning
  • Octave/Matlab programming (though knowledge can be translated to Python)

? 4. Google’s Machine Learning Crash Course

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 15 hours
Offered by: Google AI

This crash course is ideal for those with basic Python knowledge and a thirst for practical ML skills. It includes video lectures, real-world case studies, and 30+ interactive exercises using TensorFlow.

What you’ll learn:

  • ML fundamentals and key algorithms
  • Overfitting, generalization, and regularization
  • Model training using TensorFlow

? 5. Elements of AI

Level: Beginner
Duration: ~30 hours
Offered by: University of Helsinki + Reaktor

This beautifully designed course is perfect for people without any programming background. It combines theory with reflection and is completely free and accessible globally.

What you’ll learn:

  • What AI really means (no hype!)
  • Logic, probabilities, and neural networks (at a high level)
  • Ethical considerations and real-world examples

?‍? 6. Intro to Machine Learning with PyTorch or TensorFlow (Udacity)

Level: Intermediate
Duration: Self-paced
Offered by: Udacity

This course teaches practical ML with two of the most popular frameworks: PyTorch and TensorFlow. While Udacity’s full nanodegree programs are paid, this introductory course is free, packed with practical projects and hands-on learning.

What you’ll learn:

  • Data wrangling, preprocessing
  • Supervised learning models
  • Model evaluation and optimization

? 7. CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python (HarvardX)

Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Duration: 7–10 weeks
Offered by: Harvard University via edX

If you want a rigorous dive into the programming side of AI, this is it. A follow-up to Harvard’s legendary CS50 course, this program teaches you to build search engines, game-playing agents, and more using Python.

What you’ll learn:

  • Graph search algorithms
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Neural networks, NLP, and logic

?‍? 8. Fast.ai’s Practical Deep Learning for Coders

Level: Intermediate
Duration: ~8 weeks
Offered by: fast.ai

This course takes a unique “top-down” approach: you start building real-world deep learning models from day one, then dig into the theory. It’s highly hands-on and ideal for developers or data scientists who learn by doing.

What you’ll learn:

  • Image classification, NLP, tabular data modeling
  • Model interpretation
  • Using PyTorch with the fast.ai library

? Bonus: Learn on YouTube – StatQuest with Josh Starmer

Sometimes you just need things explained super clearly. Josh Starmer breaks down the math behind machine learning and statistics in easy-to-digest animations with his iconic “StatQuest” vibe.

? How to Choose the Right Course for You

With so many great options, here’s how to decide:

✅ If you’re a total beginner: Start with AI for Everyone or Elements of AI
✅ If you want hands-on coding: Try Google ML Crash Course or CS50 AI with Python
✅ If you’re aiming for deep learning: Dive into Fast.ai or Andrew Ng’s ML
✅ If you want academic-style rigor: Go with HarvardX or IBM’s AI course

And don’t stress about finishing everything! Start with one course, build your confidence, then stack your skills over time.

? Ready to Upskill? Let’s Go!

AI is one of the most in-demand skills in 2025 and beyond. With the Philippines growing as a hub for tech talent, now is your time to shine. These free online courses can be your launchpad into a fulfilling AI/ML career—from junior data roles to advanced research positions.

Stay curious. Keep building. And don’t forget to check out the latest AI jobs on AIJobsPH.