AI isn’t optional anymore
Just last year, I had an IT pro on my team with over 20 years of experience. Smart guy. Talented. But when it came to AI, he dug in his heels. “It’s a fad,” he told me. “In two years, people will go back to Google and search the web. They won’t trust AI.”
Yeah, right after fax machines and Blockbuster stage their glorious return.
He couldn’t see the writing on the wall. And in tech, or any industry, that’s the kiss of death.
You have to be able to innovate. To adapt. To grow with change, not fight it. That mindset clash is exactly why he’s no longer with the company.
AI isn’t just the future. It’s now. Here’s the best part: You don’t need a computer science degree to get going. Anyone can learn the basics. And yes, even you, with your 37 open tabs and a healthy fear of “technical stuff.”
There are free, powerful tools and courses that anyone can tap into. I’ll show you where to begin.
🤖 Why you should care about AI
According to McKinsey, at least 80% of businesses will use AI by 2030.
Even if you’re not a techie, learning how AI works will make you more valuable in your job, help you think more critically about the tech you use, and might even spark a career pivot.
🎓 Try these totally free AI courses
As you’re looking through these classes, you’ll see they’re free, but some offer optional certifications you can buy. Should you spend the money?
Here’s my take: Check out job postings in the field you’re interested in. If you see that certification popping up under the “qualifications” section, it might be worth it. Otherwise, just enjoy the free learning!
5 free resources to grow your business
Entrepreneurs and small business owners need all the help they can get. When you’re a self-starter, you’re constantly on the go, multitasking and doing all you can to grow your company quickly. Luckily, there are a ton of free small business resources that can help you along the way.
This $39 course bundle can help you master Microsoft Excel
For many of us, working with spreadsheets and formulas does not come naturally. Yet, as data takes an ever bigger role in the workplace, number-crunching skills are becoming essential to many careers.
If you want to improve your data skills, the Professional Microsoft Excel Certification Training Bundle offers a great education from the comfort of home. This learning library offers 45 hours of beginner-friendly video tutorials, covering a wide range of important skills.
Having trouble sleeping? Try this weighted blanket
Who knows why a hug works wonders? Most likely it’s an instinct that goes back to infancy, or perhaps even the womb. All we know is that research has shown a little embrace now and then can yield health benefits across the board.
Make the most of your DSLR with this photography course
As ubiquitous as cell phone photography is these days, there’s still no substitute for a sturdy DSLR camera. If you’ve seen one in the hands of a professional, you know what we mean.
Still, it takes a lot more than equipment to make a photographer. A properly kitted-out DSLR brings a lot more tools to the table — but you have to know how to use them.
Boost your photo editing skills with an 8-class course - now 97% off
For decades now, Adobe’s Photoshop has been the go-to software tool for a variety of creatives. The program is so ubiquitous it’s even become a verb.
But if you’re just breaking into the biz as a photographer or designer, don’t judge Adobe’s flagship software by the “photoshopped” celebrity memes you see scattered casually around the web.
Be your own accountant with this QuickBooks master class
Let’s face it: Accounting just isn’t sexy. We can’t blame you if you’re not familiar with QuickBooks, one of the most widely-used pieces of software for small business finance.
But longtime users get excited for every update, because they know what QuickBooks does best is streamline those books, automate the process and let business owners spend much less time doing accounting and more time doing literally anything else.
You can back up handwritten notes online with these erasable notebooks
Although apps like Evernote and Google Docs are great for storing text, they cannot replace a pen and paper. There is something more intuitive about scribbling notes, and you have the option to sketch your ideas.
The Rocketbook Everlast Mini is a notebook that offers the best of both worlds. It works just like a traditional notebook, but you can back up every page to the cloud using your smartphone. Better still, you can easily erase the whole thing and start again.