AI Foundations
OpenAI
- Type
- Course certificate
- Price
- Not stated by OpenAI
- Level
- Not stated by OpenAI
- Who can take it
- By invitation only
- Valid for
- Not stated by OpenAI
- Status
- Pilot
Checked against OpenAI on Oct 25, 2026
OpenAI Academy
AI Foundations
AI Foundations is a free beginner course from OpenAI Academy, online. It takes about 1 hour and ends with a free badge.
Before you sign up
For anyone starting to use ChatGPT at work who wants the core habits in about an hour: clear instructions, context and checking answers. It's free, short and ends with an assessed badge, which beats a video playlist as proof of learning. The caveats: it's built around ChatGPT, and you need a ChatGPT account. It's the first step in OpenAI's sequence; next comes Applied AI Foundations. For OpenAI's shorter reading resource, see ChatGPT Fundamentals.
Properties
- Provider
- OpenAI Academy
- Format
- Self-paced
- Delivery
- Online
- Duration
- About 1 h
- Level
- Beginner
- Cost
- Free
- Certificate
- Free badge
- Language
- English
- Funding
- None
- Next start
- Start any time
Checked against OpenAI Academy on Oct 5, 2026
Go to course on academy.openai.comWe're independent. Issuers and course providers can't pay to be listed or ranked.
What you'll learn
Free OpenAI Academy course for people new to AI at work. Covers giving clear instructions, providing context, checking responses and responsible use, applied to drafting, summarising, planning and meeting preparation. Score 80% or more on the assessment to earn a course badge.
Who it's for
Level: beginner (as stated by the provider). Delivery: online, self-paced.
Prerequisites
ChatGPT account. No other prerequisites stated.
Is AI Foundations free?
Free; requires a ChatGPT account, no workspace membership.
Certificate: free badge. OpenAI Academy course badge (80%+ on assessment).
Where to take it
- Free on help.openai.com, checked Oct 5, 2026.
Related certifications
Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP)
IAPP
- Type
- Exam
- Price
- $799 (non member); $649 (member)
- Level
- Not stated by IAPP
- Who can take it
- No requirement listed
- Valid for
- 2 years
- Status
- Active
Checked against IAPP on Oct 20, 2026ISACA Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA)
ISACA
- Type
- Exam
- Price
- $599 (non member); $459 (member)
- Level
- Not stated by ISACA
- Who can take it
- Needs another credential
- Valid for
- Not stated by ISACA
- Status
- Active
Checked against ISACA on Oct 20, 2026
Questions people ask
How much does AI Foundations cost?
It's free.
How long does AI Foundations take?
About 1 hour, self-paced.
Is there a certificate for AI Foundations?
Yes: free badge. The provider calls it "OpenAI Academy course badge (80%+ on assessment)".
Do I need experience first?
It's a beginner course. Prerequisites: ChatGPT account. No other prerequisites stated.
When does AI Foundations start?
Start any time.
Alternatives
AI Fluency: Framework & Foundations
Anthropic
- Delivery
- Online, self-paced
- Cost
- Free
- Level
- Beginner
- For
- Everyone
- Duration
- About 4 hours
- Certificate
- Yes
Start any time
Free certificateChecked against Anthropic on Oct 22, 2026AI Fundamentals (skill track)
DataCamp
- Delivery
- Online, self-paced
- Cost
- Free to learn
- Level
- Beginner
- For
- Everyone, Business professionals
- Duration
- About 9 hours
- Certificate
- Yes
Start any time
Checked against DataCamp on Oct 3, 2026Elements of AI: Introduction to AI
Elements of AI (University of Helsinki / MinnaLearn)
- Delivery
- Online, self-paced
- Cost
- Free
- Level
- Beginner
- For
- Everyone, Public sector
- Duration
- Not stated
- Certificate
- Yes
Start any time
Free certificateChecked against Elements of AI (University of Helsinki / MinnaLearn) on Oct 26, 2026
Similar courses on AI literacy and fundamentals
| Course | Delivery | Cost | Level | Hours | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Capabilities and LimitationsAnthropic | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 3.5 | Free badge |
| AI concepts for developers and technology professionalsMicrosoft Learn | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 4 | Certificate not stated |
| Introduction to AI in Azure (AI-901T00)Microsoft on Microsoft Learn | Online | Free | Beginner | Not stated | No certificate |
| Principles of Artificial Intelligence28DIGITAL on EIT Campus | Online, self-paced | Free | Beginner | 1-4 weeksDuration (as stated by provider) | Free certificate |
How we chose
- Alternatives: Chosen from other courses of the same kind, then by shared topic. Closed courses are left out.
- Related certifications: OpenAI's own certifications, then AI governance certifications from other issuers, with the price, validity and requirements each issuer states.
- Similar courses: other AI literacy and fundamentals courses, same level first.
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