Employers are using AI to reduce headcount while retaining high-performing AI-skilled workers
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If your resume still says “proficient in Microsoft Excel,” you’re already late to the party.
Companies are shedding roles rapidly, and the employees without AI skills are the ones getting hit first.
About 92% of organizations intend to use AI-powered solutions by 2028, according to an AWS survey published last year. Employers also stated that they’d be more inclined to hire someone with AI skills who does not have experience or a degree, than hire someone with a degree and experience who does not have AI skills, according to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index 2024.
Their 2025 report also notes that a third of businesses are using AI to reduce headcount, but are retaining their top-performers.
Microsoft Work Trend Index 2025
Microsoft Work Trend Index 2025
Why Should I Study AI Certifications?
So where does that leave you if you lack AI skills?
In a word: replaceable.
If you want to get hired and stay hired, whether you’re a freelancer or employee, you need AI certifications.
But there are literally hundreds if not thousands of AI courses out there. How do you know which AI certification is best? Which one should you choose?
This guide will help you make a better, informed choice, at a glance, so you can pick the best AI certification that aligns with your career goals and path:
Is There A Google AI Certification?
Google has a number of free and inexpensive learning paths and certifications for you to build AI skills. Here are a couple examples of what’s included:
Introduction to Generative AI, Google Cloud
Google Cloud Generative AI Leader Professional Certificate
Topics Covered In Introduction to Generative AI, Google Cloud
Generative AI foundations/jargon
Gen AI apps
Defining Gen AI
Who it’s for: Beginners, anyone seeking to grasp the basics
Topics Covered In Google Cloud Generative AI Leader Professional Certificate:
How to work with AI agents and create solutions using a hybrid (part human, part AI) workforce
Understand how AI is transforming industries and business functions
Understand core AI concepts like data governance, prompt engineering, cloud infrastructure, and data management
Who it’s for: Managers and business leaders/executives, including HR professionals
Benefits of choosing a Google Professional Certificate
Budget-friendly and offered on Coursera, which often gives you access to other courses on their platform (depending on your subscription)
Often includes hands-on projects for practice
Recognized by employers for ongoing professional advancement
Does Microsoft Offer An AI Certification?
Yes, Microsoft has AI certifications that it offers through its educational upskilling arm: Microsoft Learn. For example:
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
Topics Covered In Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
Artificial intelligence workloads on Azure
Fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure
Features of Natural Language Processing (NLP) workloads on Azure
Who it’s for: Best for beginners with basic awareness of cloud concepts and client-server applications. You don’t need a technical background to study this AI certification.
Topics Covered In Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
How to develop Generative AI apps and solutions in Azure
How to develop NLP solutions, AI agents, and computer vision solutions in Azure
Who it’s for: Tech professionals with experience building solutions using Python and C#
Why take a Microsoft Learn AI certificate?
AI certifications offered by Microsoft are fairly rigorous and come with an exam, which is tested in an exam environment, compared to the less monitored courses from other providers.
According to Microsoft’s own website, you may also be eligible for ACE college credit if you pass their AI certifications.
Are Coursera Certificates Worth Taking?
The online course hosting giant Coursera has a range of courses delivered by credible experts, world-renowned platforms and institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and Deep Learning. Many of Google’s professional certificates are delivered via Coursera as well.
Some examples of available AI certificates include:
Generative AI: Prompt Engineering Basics (by IBM, via Coursera)
IBM AI Product Manager Professional Certificate
Topics Covered In Generative AI: Prompt Engineering Basics
According to Coursera’s website, you’ll learn be able to practice prompt engineering techniques and approaches, including interview pattern, chain-of-thought, tree-of-thought, to improve prompt outcomes
Learn commonly used tools for prompt engineering
Who it’s for: Any professional can take this course, irrespective of your background or prior knowledge.
Topics Covered In IBM AI Product Manager Professional Certificate
Product roadmaps and product lifecycle planning, within the context of AI
Agile methodologies
Applied AI and managing/building AI-powered products
Who it’s for: If you’re preparing to launch a career as an AI product manager, whether you’re making a career pivot, preparing to launch a freelance business, or want to progress up the ladder, this is for you. This AI certificate is best for beginners.
Some other tangible benefits of taking AI certifications via Coursera include:
Coursera certificates are recognized by employers worldwide.
Coursera is connected to a consortium of more than 100 employers; this does not guarantee a job placement, but gets you visible in front of the right people.
The best AI certificate is the one that serves your career goals and offers maximum value and … More credibility
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Which AI Certification Pays Best?
If you’re looking for a high-paying AI certification, you need to think niche. Move beyond broad, generalized AI knowledge, and start looking at applied AI courses.
For example, AI for marketing, AI for sales and business development, AI for HR, etc.
When you focus on optimizing your own specialism (applied AI), you’ll see stronger, higher quality results, and that’s when you’ll see it reflect in your salary.
Studying to develop AI skills is imperative for your career growth and job retention. You literally have no other choice.
Select the course that best suits your career goals and the value you desire to convey on your resume and LinkedIn profile, and start studying and refining your AI skills. Begin building leverage intentionally today.
For further reading, check out this Forbes article on beginner-friendly AI certifications.