AI concepts for developers and technology professionals is a free beginner course from Microsoft Learn, online. It takes about 4 hours. Microsoft Learn doesn't say whether there is a certificate.
Suits developers and technical staff starting on the Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901) exam who want the concepts before writing code. At under four hours and free, it is a light first step. The main caveat is that it is concept-led: the hands-on Microsoft Foundry work sits in a separate path, and the exam is separate. A free companion is Get started with AI applications and agents on Azure, which needs basic Python.
Free self-paced Microsoft Learn path of seven modules (3 hours 51 minutes) that prepares for Exam AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals. It introduces AI concepts and terms, then generative AI and agents, natural language processing, speech, computer vision, information extraction and retrieval-augmented generation, with short hands-on exercises.
More courses on AI agents and agentic AI.
Level: beginner (as stated by the provider). Delivery: online, self-paced.
Basic understanding of computing concepts and math
Free. Microsoft Learn training is free; the certification exam is separate.
Certificate: certificate not stated.
Microsoft, based in the US, offers this course worldwide, so learners in Ireland join the same course as everyone else. Details last confirmed on 26 Oct 2026.
No Irish scheme on our funding list (Springboard+, Skillnet Ireland, HEA Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy 2026 and others) covers its cost.
Irish courses for developers and engineers on a shared topic: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (micro-credential) (Chevron Training and Recruitment (with University of East London)), ISTQB Certified Tester: Testing with Generative AI (Tech Industry Alliance Skillnet), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Vision (micro-credential) (Chevron Training and Recruitment (with University of East London)).
See also: funded AI training in Ireland, AI courses for developers and engineers.
It's free.
About 4 hours, self-paced.
It's a beginner course. Prerequisites: Basic understanding of computing concepts and math.
Start any time.
Chosen from other courses of the same kind, then by shared topic. At least one is an Irish course where one fits. Closed courses are left out.
NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute
Start any time
Microsoft Learn
Start any time
University College Cork (Cork University Business School) with Anthropic
Start any time
| Course | Delivery | Cost | Level | Hours | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI FoundationsOpenAI Academy | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 1 | Free badge |
| AI for You: An Introduction to AI and The EU AI ActCeADAR | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 2 | Certificate not stated |
| AI Capabilities and LimitationsAnthropic | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 3.5 | Free badge |
| AI Fluency: Framework & FoundationsAnthropic | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 4 | Free badge |
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