Free AI Course (1/5): Fundamentals and Essential Tools

Welcome to the free AI course

If you want to work better with artificial intelligence but do not know where to start, you are in the right place. This is module 1 of a 5-part course, 100% free, designed for people with no technical background.

In this first lesson you will learn what generative AI is, the essential vocabulary and the free tools you will use throughout the course. By the end, your account will be ready and you can move on to module 2.

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What is generative AI in 5 minutes?

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content: texts, images, presentations, summaries or ideas. Unlike classic programs that follow fixed rules, this AI learns from huge amounts of data and produces original responses.

At work, it behaves like a super-fast assistant: you ask for something in plain language and it gives it back in seconds. It does not "think" like you or have its own judgment: it calculates the most likely answer. That is why it is best treated as a brilliant assistant that needs your review.

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Basic vocabulary (that is all you need)

To follow the course you need to master these five terms. They are not difficult:

• Model: the AI "brain" trained on data. Examples: GPT, Claude, Gemini.
• LLM (large language model): a model specialized in understanding and generating text.
• Prompt: the request or instruction you write to the AI. It is how you talk to it.
• Token: a small piece of text the AI splits words into. You do not manage it, but understanding helps.
• Hallucination: when the AI confidently invents information. That is why you always review.

With this you have more than enough. The rest you learn on the go.

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Which tools you will use (and they are free)

During the course we will mainly use three text assistants, all with a free version:

Tool	What it is for	Free?
ChatGPT (OpenAI)	General tasks: writing, summarizing, analyzing	Yes
Claude (Anthropic)	Long text, fine analysis and careful writing	Yes
Gemini (Google)	Search and integration with Google Workspace	Yes

Pick one to start (I recommend ChatGPT for its popularity) and stick with it. You do not need to master them all.

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How to create your free account (step by step)

1. Go to chat.openai.com (or the website of the tool you choose).
2. Sign up with your email or Google account. It is free and takes two minutes.
3. Confirm your account with the link sent to your email.
4. Type your first question, for example: "explain what AI is in three sentences".
5. Review and adjust the result by asking for more or less detail.

Once you do this, you are already "using AI". The rest is practice.

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What you do NOT need to start

One of the most harmful myths is that AI is for programmers. False. For this course you do not need:

• To know how to code or write code.
• A powerful computer: a website or your phone is enough.
• To pay anything: the free versions are sufficient.
• A technical degree or math background.

You only need curiosity, a free account and the willingness to try real things from your work.

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Conclusion

Generative AI is a skill you learn by doing. You already have the foundation: you know what it is, you know the vocabulary and you have an account created. Do not overcomplicate with theory; start your first session and make as many mistakes as you like.

Want to know more about how these models generate text? Read our complete guide on what generative AI is or review the best free tools of 2026.

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Continue the course

This is module 1 of 5. Once you master the basics, move on to the next step: learning to write better with AI.

→ Next: Module 2 — Write better with AI