Google offers AI certification for business leaders now - and the training is free

As AI becomes an increasingly used tool by organizations across all industries, studies show that employees' expectations of being knowledgeable about AI are only increasing. Now, Google is presenting business leaders with a new AI literacy opportunity. 

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Generative AI Leader certification 

On Wednesday, Google Cloud announced a "first-of-its-kind" generative AI certification geared toward non-technical learners, such as managers and business leaders, who want to learn about AI's impacts beyond coding. According to Google, the course focuses on how to strategically adopt, discuss, and lead generative AI efforts.

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The Google Cloud Generative AI Leader certification exam, which costs $99 and lasts 90 minutes, is available starting May 14. Although the certification comes at a cost, Google positions it as an investment, noting that Google Cloud certifications are "powerful catalysts" in achieving career growth. 

Generative AI Leader free course

Google Cloud is also offering a no-cost learning path on Google Cloud Skills Boost. This path allows users to prepare for the exam and learn in-depth about the benefits of generative AI through hands-on experiences, podcast-style videos, and more. The best part is that, technically, you can go through the modules without taking the exam. Although you won't have proof to show for your upskilling, you can still apply what you learned toward your work. 

Google shares that the learning path takes seven to eight hours to complete and is split into five courses: 

• Gen AI: Beyond the Chatbot aims to educate users on the foundations of generative AI beyond the technology's popular conceptions.
• Gen AI: Unlock Foundational Concepts explains concepts such as large language models and the different data types.
• Gen AI: Navigate the Landscape provides an overview of the broader AI ecosystem, such as the different types of models and platforms. 
• Gen AI Apps: Transform Your Work explores use cases of generative AI within businesses. 
• Gen AI Agents: Transform Your Organization delves into how AI agents can drive significant organizational transformation. 

How to access

If you want to access the course, all you have to do is visit the Generative AI Leader course on Google Cloud Skills Boost. To register for your exam, you have to visit the Generative AI Leader page under the Google Cloud certification website. There are options for online or on-site proctored exams. The certification is valued for three years, and there is no prerequisite to register. This page also offers future test takers a Generative AI Leader Exam study guide, which everyone can access for free. 

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If this certification is out of your budget, there are other options available online at all different price points, many of them free. ZDNET gathered the best free AI courses and certificates in 2025. Also, LinkedIn last week made its top 10 most popular AI courses free to all users through the end of May.