Free course · 5 guides · no coding needed
AI for beginners, in plain English.
Understand how today's AI tools actually work, from machine learning to ChatGPT, prompts, agents and image generators, with a live demo to play with in every guide.
- No maths or coding required
- A live demo in every guide
- Clear order: each part builds on the last
- Honest about AI's limits and risks
- Quizzes to check yourself
- Free, no sign-up needed
AI for Beginners
Free- Part 1What Is Machine Learning
- Part 2How Does ChatGPT Work
- Part 3Prompt Engineering for Beginners
- Part 4What Is an AI Agent
- Part 5How Do AI Image Generators Work
Why it works
Built so it actually sticks
Plain English
Every idea explained with everyday analogies. If a technical word is needed, it's explained in one line.
Learn by playing
Train a spam filter, watch a tokenizer split words, build prompts and turn noise into a picture, right in the page.
A clear path
Start with how machines learn, then ChatGPT, prompting, agents and image generators: each part builds on the last.
Use AI wisely
Learn what AI gets wrong, how to spot made-up answers, and what not to share with chatbots.
The roadmap
Follow the trail, one part at a time
Each part builds on the one before. Your progress is saved in this browser, so you can pick up where you left off.
0 of 5 parts completed
Start the course- 1Part 1·9 minStart here
What Is Machine Learning
What is machine learning? A plain-English guide to how computers learn from examples, the 3 types of ML, everyday examples, and a live spam-filter demo.
- 2Part 2·9 min
How Does ChatGPT Work
How does ChatGPT work? A plain-English guide to large language models: tokens, next-word prediction and training, with a live tokenizer and word predictor.
- 3Part 3·10 min
Prompt Engineering for Beginners
Prompt engineering for beginners, made simple: 7 practical tips, before-and-after prompt examples, a free prompt template and a live prompt builder to try.
- 4Part 4·9 min
What Is an AI Agent
What is an AI agent? Learn how AI agents work, how they differ from chatbots, and see real examples, with an interactive demo of the agent loop.
- 5Part 5·10 min
How Do AI Image Generators Work
How do AI image generators work? A friendly, visual guide to diffusion models: how words become meaning, how noise becomes a picture, and how to prompt better.
- 6AI hallucinationsComing soon
- 7Generative AI explainedComing soon
- 8Neural networksComing soon
- 9RAG (retrieval-augmented generation)Coming soon
Who it's for
Made for you if…
You use ChatGPT but don't know how it works
Go from “magic box” to a clear mental model of what's happening behind the reply.
You're a student or professional
Get the vocabulary and understanding to use AI tools confidently at college or work.
You're curious about tech careers
Build a solid foundation before diving into machine learning courses or coding.
FAQ
Questions students ask
Do I need coding or maths to learn AI here?
No. This course explains how AI works conceptually, using plain English, analogies and interactive demos. It's a great foundation if you later want to learn the coding side.
In what order should I read the guides?
Follow the roadmap: machine learning first (how computers learn from examples), then how ChatGPT works, prompt engineering, AI agents and AI image generators. Each part builds on the previous one.
How long does the AI course take?
Each guide takes about 9 to 10 minutes to read plus a few minutes for the demo and quiz. You can finish the whole path in an afternoon or spread it over a week.
Is this AI course free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up. Your progress is saved in your browser, and you can optionally join the newsletter for new guides.
What's the difference between AI and machine learning?
AI is the broad goal of computers doing tasks that need human-like intelligence. Machine learning is the most common way to achieve it today: software that learns patterns from examples. Part 1 of the course explains it with a live demo.
Start with Part 1: What is machine learning?
It's the foundation for everything else, and it takes about 9 minutes. Your progress is saved automatically.