Connecticut Online AI Academy: free Google AI Essentials and Google AI Professional Certificate
From Charter Oak State College (CT State Colleges and Universities)
Go to the official page ↗Direct official link
What you'll learn
Connecticut residents 18 and older study online with instructor support: a five week literacy course on generative AI, prompt writing and responsible use, then a six week fluency course on AI workflows, data handling and applied workplace projects.
- Generative AI concepts
- Prompt writing
- Responsible AI use
- AI workflows and data handling
- Applied professional use cases
Source: the provider's official page ↗
Is this right for you?
- Level
- Beginner People new to this. You can start today with no experience.
- What you get
- A certification employers can verify, made for the top of your résumé and your LinkedIn profile. It costs nothing to take.
- How you learn
- Online, self paced, about 5 weeks.
- How to use it
- Put it at the top of your résumé and under Licenses and certifications on LinkedIn, with the verification link so hirers can confirm it in seconds. Name it in every application that uses this skill, and send it straight to recruiters and hiring managers.
- Why it's worth it
- Fast, practical proof that you are ahead on AI. It shows initiative, gives you skills you can use the same day, and hands you something concrete to talk about with every hiring manager.
What you will payFree if you qualifyFree for people who meet this program's eligibility rules. See Before you start below.
- Time
- AI Essentials track 5 weeks at 2 to 3 hours a week; AI Professional Certificate track 6 weeks at 2 to 3 hours a week
- Before you start
- Connecticut residents age 18 or older. Register through the Register Now link on the Charter Oak AI Academy page.
- How you are tested
- Online, asynchronous
- Renewal
- None stated
- Full cost details
- Free for Connecticut residents age 18 and over; the Google courses are normally paid through Coursera.
- Where it applies
- Connecticut residents only
Checked at the source Oct 19, 2026
Sources and what we verified
Charter Oak State College CT Online AI Academy page ↗CT State Colleges and Universities newsroom, March 30, 2026 expansion ↗What we verified: Official pages confirm no cost access for Connecticut residents 18 and older and an active registration link. No end date stated; the March 2026 expansion describes a five year goal of 10,000 learners.
Fees and eligibility can change. Confirm current terms with the issuer before you pay.
Also listed for: AI Specialist, AI for Small Business