“It’s going to shape the future of jobs,” says Ansaf Salleb-Aouissi, a professor of data science at Columbia Engineering and cofounder of the nonprofit Aiphabet, which teaches AI concepts to high school students through online bootcamps. 

Beyond opening doors to new types of careers in tech, AI and machine learning (ML) have applications in just about every context. “Machine learning applies to so many different problems that, with a little bit of knowledge, you can take that into many, many different realms,” says Gabriel Gomes, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley who helped create the school’s AI and ML professional certificate program. “I can apply it to a robotics problem, I can apply it to a medical problem, I can apply it to climate or to elections or so many different things,” he adds.

Before you quit your job and save up for a master’s degree, remember that there are plenty of other ways to expand or nurture your knowledge of AI. Bootcamps are one such option. They can be completed remotely, and often come with either a self-paced or part-time schedule for those who want to study after work hours. Plus, for a fraction of the cost of going back to school, you can still earn a certificate from a top institute.

1. AI Boot Camp by Columbia Engineering

Run by Columbia Engineering in partnership with online learning platform edX, this AI Boot Camp requires no previous programming experience. Boost your resume with a curriculum that includes an overview of AI and future applications, data analysis, predictive modeling, natural language processing (NLP), and ethics, among other topics. Students have unlimited access to instructors, tutors, and career coaches throughout the program, as well as get connected to 250+ companies in Columbia’s hiring network post-graduation.

Price: $14,495 (financing options available)

Length: 3 sections/24 weeks at 9 hours per week

Structure: Part-time, live

2. AI For Business Specialization by UPenn

Backed by an Ivy League school, the AI For Business Specialization is a great primer for those entering AI with little to no background knowledge. Not only does it cover the fundamentals of machine learning, but also its practical applications in everyday business, such as marketing and HR. Additionally, it covers ethics and frameworks for thinking about the use of AI. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate.

Price: $79 per month after a 7-day free trial (financial aid options available)

Length: 4 courses/31 hours

Structure: Self-paced

3. AI Applications for Growth by Northwestern University

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern’s AI Applications for Growth bootcamp is built for senior leaders and executives looking to understand the AI ecosystem and use AI tech to drive customer engagement and streamline operations. The program covers AI use cases in industries such as transportation and healthcare to contextualize its value. Graduates receive a certificate when the course is completed, and throughout the program can connect with other students through Kellogg’s learning platform.

Price: $2,850

Length: 2 months at 4–6 hours per week

Structure: Self-paced with some live sessions

4. AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp by Caltech

The AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp by the California Institute of Technology is made for aspiring IT workers, data scientists, and AI consultants. It begins with an overview of generative AI and prompt engineering before delving into Python applications in data science and ML frameworks such as TensorFlow and Keras. It finishes with a capstone project that requires you to solve industry-specific issues using machine learning techniques—a great way to show employers what you can do with your bootcamp skills. 

Price: $10,000 (payment plans available)

Length: 6 sections/24 weeks

Structure: Self-paced with some live sessions

5. AI Machine Learning Bootcamp by the University of Houston

The AI Machine Learning Bootcamp by the University of Houston aims to place prospective AI/ML engineers in top jobs. The program trains students to pass the Certification Exam AI-102 by Microsoft by covering ML modeling and NLP, and tools and languages such as AWS, Python, and SQL. The final capstone project is related to autonomous cars and allows students to put their knowledge to good use. Students also gain access to online coaching sessions with the course instructor.

Price: $4,275 (payment plans available)

Length: 6 months at 15–25 hours a week

Structure: Self-paced

6. AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp by Fullstack Academy

Fullstack Academy has been providing immersive and hands-on learning online for over 10 years, and has placed students at companies such as Amazon, Spotify, and Etsy. Its AI and Machine Learning Bootcamp caters to both AI enthusiasts and data experts—although it recommends prospective students come in with some coding knowledge and experience. 

Over several weeks, students will learn how to code in Python, how to deploy machine learning principles and models, and how to take advantage of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Instructors and other students assist with homework and labs, and when students complete the bootcamp they’re eligible for career support services such as resume and interview prep and salary negotiation workshops.

Price: $14,495 (payment plans and scholarships available)

Length: 6 units/26 weeks

Structure: Part-time, live

7. AI & Machine Learning by WorkForce Institute

The WorkForce Institute is a fairly new online learning platform founded in 2020 and backed by edtech veteran investor Ed Sattar and partnerships with institutions such as Texas A&M and Santa Clara University. It claims graduates of its bootcamps have been placed at Google and Cloudflare, among other top tech companies. 

In the AI and Machine Learning Bootcamp, lectures will touch on how to build a machine learning model and test its effectiveness, neural networks, NLP best practices, and the role of AWS, Microsoft’s Azure AI, and SQL in machine learning. Upon completing a capstone project to solidify their learnings, students can access career coaching for interviews, resumes, and general job search inquiries.

Price: starts at $4,250 (payment plans available)

Length: 9 modules/18 weeks

Structure: Part-time, live

8. The ai bootcamp by nocode.ai

Nocode.ai was launched in 2021 by the former director of data science and machine learning at IBM to teach business owners and professionals alike how to keep up with the latest AI tools and trends. Its free AI bootcamp covers core concepts of AI such as data, modeling techniques, and deep learning. 

It also uses labs to help students practice brainstorming AI use cases, creating a chatbot, training models, and even generating images with AI, and allows students to interact in a private group. After passing a final exam, you will receive a digital certificate to show off to potential employers.

Price: free

Length: 10 modules/10 weeks or 20–40 hours

Structure: Self-paced

9. Gen AI Bootcamp by Google Cloud

Google Cloud’s AI bootcamp is an on-demand video course to teach students how to build powerful generative AI applications. Within three separate courses, experts will show you how to take your chatbot from prototype to production, along with covering the fundamentals of AI development.

Price: free

Length: 3 videos/around 6 hours 

Structure: Self-paced

10. IBM Machine Learning Professional Certificate

IBM’s Machine Learning Certification on online education platform Coursera is taught by real IBM employees and covers how to use databases and SQL, how to train regression and predictive models, and the basics of deep learning. To top it off, you’ll complete a final assignment pulling all these learnings together in practice. Some math, stats, or programming expertise is recommended. Upon completion, you’ll earn an employer-recognized certificate from the tech company.

Price: $49 after a 7-day free trial (financial aid options available)

Length: 6 courses/3 months at 10 hours a week

Structure: Self-paced

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