AI Essentials for Professionals: Foundations & Responsible Use
Join the waitlist to be notified as soon as registration opens.
The AI Essentials Certificate gives professionals a clear, accessible understanding of artificial intelligence—what it is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly at work. Through two stackable micro‑credentials, participants learn the core concepts behind AI, generative AI, and machine learning; gain hands‑on experience with leading tools; and explore responsible and practical implications for real‑world use. Designed specifically for non‑technical audiences, this program builds confidence, fluency, and the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and business teams. No coding or prior AI experience required.
Why Earn This Certificate?
- Build essential AI fluency—without a technical background. Learn the concepts driving today’s most widely used AI systems in plain language.
- Use AI responsibly and effectively at work. Know how to evaluate opportunities, avoid common risks, and make informed decisions.
- Strengthen your career with future ready skills. AI proficiency is now essential across industries, from business and healthcare to nonprofit and public service.
- Gain hands-on practice with real tools. Experiment with generative AI platforms and no code machine learning environments.
- Earn stackable, flexible, and immediately applicable. Complete two focused micro credentials that build toward a recognized certificate.
Upon successful completion of each micro‑credential, participants earn a digital badge issued through Credly. Badges can be added to LinkedIn and other professional platforms to highlight your skills and accomplishments.
Completing both micro‑credentials earns you the AI Essentials Certificate and qualifies you for DePaul’s upcoming Advanced AI Applications Certificate, which builds deeper, hands‑on expertise across multiple AI application domains.
This certificate is ideal for non technical professionals who want to understand and use AI responsibly:
- Business and functional leaders
- Knowledge workers in marketing, operations, HR, finance, communications, and consulting
- Professionals involved in innovation, digital transformation, or strategy
- Public sector, nonprofit, and education professionals seeking AI fluency
- Anyone looking to build confidence and capability with AI tools and concepts
Participants will learn to:
- Explain core AI concepts clearly, including generative AI and machine learning
- Use AI tools effectively for research, communication, productivity, and problem solving
- Understand the machine learning lifecycle and key terminology
- Recognize AI’s capabilities, limitations, and common misconceptions
- Collaborate more effectively across business and technical teams
- Identify responsible use considerations related to ethics, bias, and risk
Overview:
This micro-credential builds foundational understanding of artificial intelligence, generative AI, and machine learning. Participants learn key concepts, explore real-world applications, and develop the skills needed to navigate AI in everyday work.
- Price: $1,250
- Duration: 8 hours over 2 weeks
Module A: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI (4 hours)
Explore what AI is and is not, including how generative AI differs from traditional predictive models. Learn about large language models, agentic AI, historical trends, opportunities, limitations, and common misconceptions. Includes guided practice using ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Claude.
Module B: Machine Learning Basics for Non Technical Professionals (4 hours)
Understand the machine learning lifecycle in plain language—from data preparation to training to evaluation. Learn how models work conceptually and how to communicate effectively with technical teams. Includes hands on exploration of workflows using no code tools such as Teachable Machine or Google AutoML.
Overview:
This micro-credential focuses on responsible use, real world applications, and the organizational considerations needed to adopt AI effectively. Participants explore productivity use cases and learn to evaluate risks, privacy concerns, and ethical implications.
- Price: $1,250
- Duration: 8 hours over 2 weeks
Module A: Using Generative AI Tools in the Workplace (4 hours)
Apply generative AI tools to common workplace tasks, including summarization, ideation, content drafting, research, and workflow support. Learn prompting strategies, quality checks, and how to evaluate outputs in practical, everyday scenarios.
Module B: AI in Practice — Ethics, Privacy & Risk Management (4 hours)
Examine key issues related to responsible AI use: data privacy, bias and fairness, transparency, regulatory considerations, and organizational risk. Learn how to evaluate tools and vendors and apply frameworks for ethical decision-making.
Available Sessions:
| Course Name | Schedule | Location | Delivery Method | Price | |
| AI Fundamentals: Micro-Credential 1 | Coming Soon. Join the waitlist to be notified. | Remote | Modality: Live sessions + self‑paced work | Not open | Join Wait List |
| AI Practical Applications & Responsible Use: Micro-Credential 2 | Coming Soon. Join the waitlist to be notified. | Remote | Modality: Live sessions + self‑paced work | Not open | Join Wait List |