OpenAI Just Released 3 Free AI Courses — Here's the One to Start With

OpenAI launched three free courses on its Academy platform this June — and unlike most AI training content, these are built for non-technical workers applying AI to everyday tasks: drafting emails, prepping for meetings, and building repeatable workflows.

No degree. No paid subscription. Just a ChatGPT account — which you likely already have.

The three courses, in plain terms

AI Foundations — The starting point. Covers how to prompt effectively, how to give AI the right context, and how to review outputs before using them. Best for anyone using ChatGPT casually who wants a proper foundation.

Applied AI Foundations — Takes your prompts and turns them into repeatable workflows. You'll learn to define inputs, pick the right tools, and build a process that you or your team can run consistently — not just one-off questions.

Agents and Workflows — More advanced. Teaches you how to direct AI agents: set the task, define the boundaries, review the results. Ideal for solopreneurs who want to automate recurring work without writing code.

Who should start where?

• Office workers who use ChatGPT occasionally → start with AI Foundations. One weekend, serious payoff.
• Solopreneurs with repetitive tasks (reports, client emails, content) → go straight to Applied AI Foundations.
• Virtual assistants and freelancers who want to offer AI services → take all three in order.

Is the certificate worth anything?

Completion certificates are shareable on LinkedIn. They won't replace experience — but for Filipino workers in BPO, admin, and client-facing roles, an official OpenAI certification is a low-cost way to signal you're ahead of the curve.

More practically: the skills transfer to work you can do this week. That's the real credential.

How to access it

Visit academy.openai.com. Sign in with your ChatGPT account. All three courses are free. Certificates are awarded on completion.

Source: OpenAI — New OpenAI Academy courses for the next era of work