Learn by Source
LinkedIn Learning · on LinkedIn Learning

What Is Generative AI?

Beginner 1 hours English Course Certificate
SkillsGenerative AIAI literacyAI applicationsBusiness implications

Is this course right for you?

Our take
LinkedIn Learning's quick, plain-English primer for professionals who need to understand the technology now reshaping their work.

Good for: A quick, plain-English introduction to generative AI for professionals.

Skip if: You want technical depth or to build with AI.

In about an hour it explains how generative models work, the kinds of content they produce and what that means in practice — no technical background assumed, which is exactly the point if you want to get up to speed fast, and a limitation if you want real depth or to build something. It comes with a LinkedIn Learning subscription ($29.99/month, or $19.99 billed annually, usually a free trial first; free through many libraries), and it adds a completion certificate to your profile — a learning marker, not a qualification. Concepts hold up even as examples date (as of 2026).

Comparison · LBS

Compare alternatives for What Is Generative AI?

Same topic, different options. We surface the trade-offs others hide so you can pick the course that actually fits your time, budget, and goals.
LinkedIn Learning
What Is Generative AI?
Price
Paid
LinkedIn Learning subscription
Duration
1 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
Course Certificate
Udemy4.9(581)
Generative AI Course: ChatGPT, Prompting, Tools & Automation
Price
Paid
Paid one-time, frequently discounted
Duration
8 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
Course Certificate
View course →
Udemy4.6(2,067)
ChatGPT/AI for Finance Professionals: Investing & Analysis
Price
Paid
Paid, frequently discounted
Duration
10 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
Course Certificate
View course →
Coursera4.8(24,100)
Generative AI for Everyone
Price
Free
Audit free · Certificate on subscription
Duration
6 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
Course Certificate
View course →
Prices & availability can change — confirm on the provider's site. We're not affiliated with any single provider.

About this course

What Is Generative AI? is LinkedIn Learning's quick, plain-English primer for working professionals who need to understand the technology reshaping their jobs. In about an hour it covers how generative models work, the kinds of content they create, the main model types, where things are heading, and the ethical considerations — no coding, no maths.

Browse all AI & ML courses Browse all LinkedIn Learning courses

Instructor

PS
Pinar Seyhan Demirdag
LinkedIn Learning instructor

Taught by Pinar Seyhan Demirdag, a generative-AI entrepreneur and speaker, who frames the technology for a general professional audience.

Frequently asked questions

No. It is a short, non-technical introduction explaining what generative AI is, how it works at a conceptual level, and where it is useful — with no coding or maths required. Anyone comfortable using a computer can follow it. The aim is basic understanding and vocabulary so you can make sense of generative AI in the news and at work, not to teach you to build anything.

Complete newcomers to the topic — professionals, managers, or curious individuals who keep hearing about generative AI and want a clear, jargon-free explanation. It assumes no background at all, technical or otherwise, so it is genuinely a starting point. If you already understand the basics of how large language models work, it will be too introductory for you.

Very short — often under an hour — as a focused introductory LinkedIn Learning course. That makes it a quick, low-effort way to get oriented on generative AI, ideal if you just want a credible baseline understanding fast. It is a starting point you would build on with fuller courses if you want to go deeper or actually use the tools.

Not by default — it runs on LinkedIn Learning, which is subscription-based — but a free trial is common, and many public libraries and universities give members full access at no cost. Check whether a library card or an institution you belong to already provides LinkedIn Learning before paying, since that quietly unlocks this course and the whole catalogue.

Yes, you earn a LinkedIn Learning completion certificate for your profile. Given the course's introductory, awareness-level nature, treat the certificate purely as a marker that you have grasped the basics rather than a meaningful credential — it signals curiosity and initiative more than expertise. The genuine value is simply understanding what generative AI is and can do.
Paid
LinkedIn Learning subscription
Enroll now