Canada's free AI courses for workers and students

Canada's government is launching the National AI Literacy Initiative to help Canadians understand artificial intelligence and its impact. The program aims to offer free online courses to post-secondary students, kindergarten to Grade 12 educators, and the general public. Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence, emphasized the importance of education in navigating the changes brought by AI, stating that the initiative will invest in students, teachers, and all Canadians' education and literacy.

Three learning streams are offered: one for post-secondary students, one for K-12 educators, and another for the wider public. The course for post-secondary students will cover how AI works, how to use it responsibly, and how to assess risks. It is designed to take about three hours to complete. The educators' course will consist of five chapters, with the first released on September 21, followed by additional chapters throughout the fall.

Short AI training will also be available through the federal Job Bank’s Training Finder for workers and jobseekers.

The government has allocated $13 million to launch these free courses in partnership with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII) and expand them to every Canadian interested in accessing the program. Participants can work through the modules at their own pace. The courses aim to equip Canadians with the confidence to use AI responsibly, question its use when necessary, and make informed decisions about its role in their lives.