Novice Guide to AI
Start from zero and build real confidence with AI. In plain English — no jargon, no prerequisites — you'll learn what AI actually is and how it works, how to talk to it and get great results, how to stay safe with your data, and how to put AI to work in your everyday job. The ideal first step before any other course in the track.
What you'll learn — competencies
Pass each module's knowledge check to earn these competencies (view in the competency framework ↗):
- Explain what AI and LLMs are in plain terms
- Hold an effective AI conversation and refine outputs
- Apply core AI safety habits: privacy, verification, human oversight
- Choose an appropriate AI tool for a task
- Produce work products with AI (documents, images, templates)
- Ground AI with your own files, the web, and research
- Describe what an AI agent is and its guardrails
- Apply AI to your own role
- Maintain a sustainable personal AI practice
Badges you can earn
Complete each module to collect these badges. Click any badge for details.
Course modules
- Section 01: What Is AI, Really? (In Plain English)
- Section 02: Your First Conversation (and How to Get Great Results)
- Section 03: Staying Safe: Privacy, Trust & Getting Facts Right
- Section 04: Where AI Lives, and Keeping Your Work Organized
- Section 05: Creating Real Things, and Saving Time With Templates
- Section 06: Give It Your Files, the Web, and Deep Research
- Section 07: What Is an "Agent"? (The Scary Word, Made Easy)
- Section 08: AI for Your Job: Use-Cases by Role
- Section 09: Good Habits, Recap, Glossary & Certificate
Suggested pre-requisites
None — this is a starting-point course. Jump right in.
Other courses in this path
4 courses $149.99
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the AI 101 Novice Guide to AI for?
It is for complete beginners — office and business staff with no AI background who want to understand what AI is and start using it confidently at work. No technical role is assumed.
Do I need any prior experience or technical skills?
No. AI 101 is the starting point of the program and assumes no prior AI knowledge, coding or technical background. Everything is explained in plain English.
What will I be able to do after completing it?
You will understand how AI works in practical terms, know how to talk to an AI tool to get useful results, recognise how to stay safe and avoid common mistakes, and be ready to apply AI to everyday tasks in your job.
How long does it take and how is it delivered?
It is fully self-paced and online. You work through a series of modules, each ending with a short knowledge-check quiz, and you can start, pause and resume any time. Most learners complete AI 101 in a few hours spread across short sessions.
What do I earn for completing the course?
You earn a badge for each module you complete, the competencies tied to those modules, and a Rana-AI Tech Certificate of Completion for the course. Course badges also count toward your overall rank in the program. In the Novice path, course badges count toward the Journeyman rank.