How Do You Learn Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

For beginners, the idea of learning artificial intelligence (AI) might feel overwhelming, especially without a background in technology. But many of today’s tools are designed to be approachable, even for those with no prior experience, said David Humphreys, director of AI Integration at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Many AI tools are free, flexible and designed to work with how you already think. “You don’t have to be a computer science major to use AI,” Humphreys said.

Learning to write effective prompts and experimenting with different platforms can come before you start mastering complex theory.

Can You Learn AI on Your Own?

You don’t need a formal background in AI to start on your own. “Using the tools is probably the best way to go about learning them,” Humphreys said.

Many AI tools are flexible enough to adapt to how you already think, whether that means talking through ideas or typing out structured prompts, he said.

Humphreys recommended opening one up, trying it out and seeing where you get stuck. When that happens, finding a good online guide can help you figure out how to ask better questions and get better results, he said.

Tools like ChatGPT are designed to mimic human thinking patterns, which makes getting into AI easier without formal training, Humphreys said. “You don’t have to change the way you think to use the tools.”

How Do You Start Learning AI?

To start learning AI, a good approach is to dive in and begin using it. Hands-on use helps you understand how these systems think and respond, he said. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to get started — just the willingness to experiment, Humphreys said.

Start with a free tool like ChatGPT or Claude, he said, and see how it responds to different types of questions or tasks.

Another entry point is learning how to write effective prompts, which can turn a vague request into something that gives you useful results. Once you start using AI tools regularly, Humphreys said, you’ll notice patterns in what works and what doesn’t.

For instance:

• Vague: "Rewrite this paragraph."
• Clear: "Can you rewrite this paragraph to sound more confident and professional?"
  
  
• Vague: "Explain AI."
• Clear: "Can you explain how AI is used in marketing, using simple language for beginners?"

YouTube can also be helpful if you stick to creators with strong engagement numbers and credible reputations. "You can find a ton of great material out there — it doesn’t all have to be academic,” Humphreys said. “Just look for content with high view counts and a clear focus, whether it’s on prompting, brainstorming or using a specific AI app.”

Is Learning AI Difficult?

Learning AI starts with curiosity and a willingness to try things out. If you’re comfortable using the internet or typing out questions, you already have what you need to begin, he said.

Some people use AI to plan meals, others to brainstorm school projects or write code, Humphreys said, and no matter your education level, you can still have a meaningful experience using it.

“I've seen people do some absolutely wild stuff — compose music, create videos, map out complex projects,” he said. “And they’re just regular users, not experts.”

Can You Learn AI for Free?

If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to spend money to begin learning or using AI. There are plenty of legitimate free resources out there for you to use, Humphreys said.

Many of these tools are powerful enough to handle a wide range of everyday uses, he said. “The free version of something like ChatGPT is going to be more than enough for a vast majority of tasks,” Humphreys said. Other AI tools that have free versions he mentioned are:

• Anthropic's Claude
• Google Gemini
• Latimer AI
• Microsoft CoPilot
• OpenAI's ChatGPT

Can Anyone Learn AI?

If you’re interested and open to learning, you’re already on the right path. For beginners, especially students just starting out, approaching AI with a mindset of exploration is important, Humphreys said.

AI courses are one way to learn, but they’re not the only option. “Try stuff out, see if you can get it to solve a challenging problem for you,” he said. “Whether that’s a day-to-day problem or an academic one, just interact with it and see what happens.”

It should be used as a collaborative tool that helps structure your ideas rather than as a shortcut that replaces them.

“When I have an idea that feels unorganized, I send it to the AI to help turn it into something clear and structured,” Humphreys said. “Then I revise that output and shape it into something that truly feels like mine.”

By using AI this way, you avoid relying too heavily on the technology to think for you, he said.

"Your creativity and problem-solving skills are still your most valuable assets — AI should enhance them, not replace them," Humphreys said. "We don't want people handing over all the great stuff between their ears and saying, 'I don't need to use this – the AI can do it for me.'"

Ollie Burkett is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University, where he is pursuing his Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.