AI & ML – The 5 Most Talked About Tech Skills and Where to Learn Them for Free
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In the first post in this series I spoke in detail about how to organise your time effectively to make the most of free tech learning resources. In this post we will look at some free resources for learning Artificial intelligence and Machine learning (AI & ML).
Skill 1: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables machines to perform tasks requiring human intelligence. Machine Learning (ML), a subset of AI, allows systems to learn from data and improve over time without explicit programming. Together, they power technologies like voice assistants and chatbots, recommendation systems, and image and speech recognition by recognising patterns and making informed decisions. Learning AI and ML opens career opportunities, drives innovation, and equips you to solve real-world problems using technology.
Free Resources to Learn Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:
1. Kaggle
What is it?
Kaggle is a completely free online platform that provides tools and a community for data scientists and machine learning practitioners.
What is it like?
Kaggle offers free datasets, tutorials, and competitions. It is genuinely free and quite addictive. It’s got a very easy to access, clear interface and has a very community feel. Their tagline is “level up with the largest AI and ML community”.
Its community is 24 million machine learners who invite you to share, stress test, and stay up-to-date on all the latest ML techniques and technologies. So, it starts by inviting you in with free training then takes that further by providing resources such as Kaggle notebooks which are a cloud-based environment for exploring, experimenting with, and running machine learning code.
Are there any quirks?
No, there isn’t……..that makes me suspicious, gives me “if you’re not paying for it, you’re the product” vibes.
2. Google Developer Program
What is it?
The Google Developer Program is a comprehensive resource for developers to learn, build, and grow using Google’s technologies. I recommend:
- First starting with the “What is Machine Learning” .
- Then proceeding onto the Google Machine Learning Crash Course.
What is it like?
The format of the course initially is quite a bit of reading, some short animated videos and quick understanding check questions. As it progresses, it gets more challenging with more in-depth exercises – so plenty of challenge in this one.
Are there any quirks?
Like many of the platforms there are many free resources but within a click or two you are being asked to pay for premium access, so just be careful to root out the free offer.
3. TechUPWomen Taster Intro to Machine Learning
What is it?
The TechUPWomen Taster Course – Introduction to Machine Learning is designed to give you a taste of the TechUPWomen experience with a sample of our Machine Learning module and our confidence building session, “Unleash your Inner Super(s)hero”.
What is it like?
It is hosted in the Thinkific platform and includes narrated slides by an expert in the field and challenging quizzes, to check your understanding as you proceed through the course.
Are there any quirks?
No quirks, just a genuinely free course from people who want you to get the fundamentals right. It would be a good starting point to move forward from.
Conclusion
Whether you want to specialise in AI and ML or not just being aware of how AI works and how to exploit its powers is a no-brainer for anyone working in tech. Mastering these tech skills will not only enhance your career prospects but also equip you to contribute to the technological advancements shaping our world. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to upskill, the free resources mentioned above will help you on your learning journey.
Spoiler: The next blog post is about Data Science and Analytics.