Best AI Certifications in 2025
AI certifications empower product managers to navigate complex challenges, drive innovation, and position themselves as invaluable assets within their organizations. In this article, we delve into top AI certifications tailored for product managers in 2025, providing insights into pricing, prerequisites, focus areas, and suitability. Whether you're aiming to overcome industry challenges, secure stakeholder buy-in, or advance your career, these certifications offer the expertise and credibility needed to excel in a tech-driven market.
Best AI Certifications Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best AI certifications I think are worth looking into:
- AI Strategy - Best for strategic AI implementation
- CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python - Best for beginners in AI
- Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist (CAIS™) - Best for advanced AI expertise
- Artificial Intelligence Professional Program - Best for mastering AI from theory to real-world deployment
- IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate - Best for AI engineering skills
- AWS Certified AI Practitioner - Best for AWS platform proficiency
- No Code AI and Machine Learning - Best for non-coders in AI
- AI Fundamentals & Applications - Best real business application for beginners
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Business Essentials Certificate Program - Best for AI in business
- AI Fundamentals Certification - Best for entry-level AI understanding
- Artificial Intelligence – AI Certification - Best for broad AI concepts
- Artificial Intelligence Certificate Program - Best for intensive, project-based AI training
- IBM AI Product Manager Professional Certificate - Best for AI product management
- Artificial Intelligence for Product Certification (AIPC) - Best for hands-on AI product strategy and development
Overviews of the Best AI Certifications
Below are my detailed summaries of the best AI certifications that made it onto my shortlist.
1. AI Strategy - Best for strategic AI implementation
The AI Strategy certificate from eCornell offers a thorough program designed to equip you with the skills to leverage AI in business. With six courses, it covers AI fundamentals, machine learning, and the societal impacts of AI, focusing on practical applications and ethical considerations.
Issued by: eCornell
Focus:
- AI fundamentals
- Machine learning
- Societal implications of AI
- Strategic implementation
Prerequisites:
- Education: Not required
- Work Experience: Recommended but not mandatory
- Exam: Not required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: $3,900
Who It’s For: This certification is for you if you're looking to strategically implement AI in your organization, enhancing your leadership capabilities in the tech-driven business landscape.
2. CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python - Best for beginners in AI
CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python provides a foundational understanding of AI concepts through practical programming exercises. You'll learn to use Python for various AI applications, making it a hands-on course that builds your coding skills.
Issued by: Harvard Online
Focus:
- Machine learning
- Neural networks
- Natural language processing
- AI algorithms
Prerequisites:
- Education: Not required
- Work Experience: Not required
- Exam: Not specified
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: $299
Who It’s For: If you're new to AI and want to get your hands dirty with Python coding, this course is a great starting point. It equips you with the basics needed to dive deeper into AI.
3. Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist (CAIS™) - Best for advanced AI expertise
The Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist (CAIS™) certification is tailored for senior AI professionals and business leaders. It offers a comprehensive program spanning 4-25 weeks, requiring 8-10 hours of self-paced learning per week. The curriculum includes advanced AI strategies and applications, providing practical insights for business transformation.
Issued by: USAII®
Focus:
- Machine learning
- Deep learning
- AI ethics
- Generative AI
- Computer vision
Prerequisites:
- Education, Work Experience, and Certifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in any field—preferably in STEM—or an equivalent qualification, with a strong willingness to learn about Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and related areas with minimum of five years of professional experience in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Business Analytics, Business Intelligence, Project Management, or programming languages; OR
- A Master’s degree or equivalent in any academic field—preferably in STEM—with a strong interest in learning Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and related technologies and A minimum of four years of experience in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Business Analytics, Business Intelligence, Engineering, Finance, or Management; OR
- Have completed the CAIC™ certification or an equivalent credential. Those with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) should have at least four years of relevant experience, while those with a master’s degree (or equivalent) should have a minimum of three years of experience.
- Exam: Not required
Renewability: No
Price: $1,195
Who It’s For: If you're a manager or executive looking to enhance your AI expertise, this certification will equip you with the skills to apply AI strategically in your business, boosting your career and earning potential.
4. Artificial Intelligence Professional Program - Best for mastering AI from theory to real-world deployment
The Artificial Intelligence Professional Program from Stanford offers an in-depth exploration of AI technologies and their applications. This program is structured to provide a robust understanding of AI, equipping you with the knowledge to implement AI solutions effectively.
Issued by: Stanford Online
Focus:
- Machine learning
- Natural language processing
- AI applications
- Data science
Prerequisites:
- Education: Basic understanding of Linux command-line operations and workflows
- Work Experience: Not required
- Exam: Not required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: $1,750 per course
Who It’s For: This program is ideal if you're aiming to deepen your AI expertise and apply it strategically in your projects, enhancing your technical and analytical skills.
5. IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate - Best for AI engineering skills
The IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate offers a comprehensive program for mastering AI engineering concepts. Through hands-on projects and real-world applications, you'll gain practical experience in building AI models and deploying them effectively.
Issued by: IBM
Focus:
- Deep learning
- Machine learning
- Neural networks
- AI deployment
Prerequisites:
- Education: Not required
- Work Experience: Recommended but not mandatory
- Exam: Not required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: Free
Who It’s For: This certification is perfect if you're looking to develop strong AI engineering skills. It enables you to build and deploy AI models, enhancing your technical capabilities in the field.
6. AWS Certified AI Practitioner - Best for AWS platform proficiency
The AWS Certified AI Practitioner certification validates your understanding of AI and machine learning on the AWS platform. It focuses on the ability to identify and implement AI solutions using AWS services, making it ideal for those working with AWS technologies.
Issued by: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Focus:
- AWS AI services
- Machine learning
- AI solutions
- AWS platform integration
Prerequisites:
- Education: Not required
- Work Experience: Recommended but not mandatory
- Exam: Yes, required for certification
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: Yes, every 3 years
Price: $100
Who It’s For: If you're working with AWS and want to enhance your AI skills, this certification helps you demonstrate your ability to use AWS AI services effectively, boosting your team's capabilities.
7. No Code AI and Machine Learning - Best for non-coders in AI
The No Code AI and Machine Learning program offers a unique opportunity to explore AI without the need for programming skills. It provides hands-on experience with AI models and tools, focusing on practical applications that can be implemented without coding.
Issued by: MIT Professional Education
Focus:
- AI tools
- Machine learning applications
- No-code solutions
- Practical AI implementation
Prerequisites:
- Education: Not required
- Work Experience: Recommended but not mandatory
- Exam: Not required
- Other Certifications: None
Price: Register to see pricing
Who It’s For: If you're interested in AI but lack coding skills, this certification allows you to engage with AI technologies and apply them to your work, broadening your professional capabilities.
8. AI Fundamentals & Applications - Best real business application for beginners
The AI Fundamentals & Applications certificate from the University of Florida provides a solid foundation in artificial intelligence concepts. It emphasizes core AI principles and techniques, offering a structured approach to understanding and applying AI technologies effectively.
Issued by: University of Florida
Focus:
- AI fundamentals
- Machine learning
- Data analysis
- AI applications
Prerequisites:
- Education: Completion of required courses
- Work Experience: Not required
- Exam: Not required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: Register to see pricing
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal if you're starting your AI journey and want to build a strong foundation. It equips you with essential knowledge to advance in AI-related fields, enhancing your career prospects.
9. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Business Essentials Certificate Program - Best for AI in business
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Business Essentials Certificate Program provides a comprehensive introduction to the role of AI in business. It focuses on practical applications and strategies to integrate AI into business operations, making it suitable for professionals aiming to leverage AI for business growth.
Issued by: American Management Association
Focus:
- AI integration strategies
- Business applications
- AI project management
- Data-driven decision making
Prerequisites:
- Education: No formal education requirements
- Work Experience: Recommended but not mandatory
- Exam: Not specified
- Other Certifications: None required
Renewability: Not specified
Price:
- Member: $2,545
- Non-member: $2,795
Who It’s For: This program is ideal if you're a business professional seeking to understand and apply AI technologies to drive your business forward, improving decision-making and operational efficiency.
10. AI Fundamentals Certification - Best for entry-level AI understanding
The AI Fundamentals Certification from DataCamp offers a foundational overview of AI concepts and techniques. It's designed to provide a solid grounding in AI, focusing on essential principles and practical skills to get started in the field.
Issued by: DataCamp
Focus:
- Basic AI concepts
- Machine learning basics
- Data handling
- AI applications
Prerequisites:
- Education:Not required
- Work Experience: Not required
- Exam: Not specified
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: $25 per month
Who It’s For: This certification is perfect if you're new to AI and want to build a strong foundational knowledge, enabling you to explore further opportunities in AI development and applications.
11. Artificial Intelligence – AI Certification - Best for exploring multiple AI disciplines without deep technical commitment
The Artificial Intelligence AI Certification from APMG International offers an in-depth overview of AI technologies and their applications. It's designed to help you understand AI's capabilities and limitations, preparing you to tackle AI-related challenges in various environments.
Issued by: APMG International
Focus:
- AI technologies
- Ethical AI use
- AI applications
- AI limitations
Prerequisites:
- Education: Not required
- Work Experience: Not required
- Exam: Yes, required for certification
- Other Certifications: None required
Who It’s For: If you're looking to gain a deeper understanding of AI and its potential, this certification equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and apply AI solutions in your work without technical skill requirements.
12. Artificial Intelligence Certificate Program - Best for intensive, project-based AI training
The Artificial Intelligence Certificate Program at Northwestern University offers an advanced curriculum designed to deepen your understanding of AI technologies. It focuses on providing the skills and knowledge necessary to apply AI effectively in various fields.
Issued by: Northwestern University
Focus:
- AI technologies
- Data science
- Machine learning
- AI applications
Prerequisites:
- Education: Completion of required courses
- Work Experience: Recommended but not mandatory
- Exam: Not required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: $3,498 per course
Who It’s For: This program is ideal if you're aiming to advance your career with in-depth AI expertise, enabling you to implement AI solutions effectively in your projects.
13. IBM AI Product Manager Professional Certificate - Best for AI product management
The IBM AI Product Manager Professional Certificate equips you with the skills to integrate AI into product management. It covers the end-to-end process of AI product development, from ideation to deployment, providing practical insights into managing AI projects.
Issued by: IBM
Focus:
- AI product lifecycle
- AI strategy
- AI deployment
- Market analysis
Prerequisites:
- Education: Not required
- Work Experience: Not required
- Exam: Free
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: Free
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal if you're a product manager looking to incorporate AI into your products, enhancing your ability to lead AI-driven projects and make informed decisions.
14. Artificial Intelligence for Product Certification (AIPC) - Best for hands-on AI product strategy and development
The Artificial Intelligence for Product Certification (AIPC) provides a comprehensive framework for integrating AI into product management. It focuses on practical applications, enabling you to create AI-driven products and strategies effectively.
Issued by: Product School
Focus:
- AI product development
- AI strategy
- User experience
- Data analysis
Prerequisites:
- Education: Not required
- Work Experience: Not required
- Exam: Not required
- Other Certifications: None
Renewability: No
Price: $2,999
Who It’s For: This certification is ideal for product managers who want to harness AI in their product development processes, equipping them with the skills to innovate and lead AI-driven projects.
FAQs About AI Certifications
What are the benefits of obtaining an AI certification?
AI certifications can boost your career by validating your skills and knowledge. They demonstrate your commitment to staying current with AI technologies, which can make you more competitive in the job market. Certifications can also broaden your understanding of AI applications, making you more effective in implementing AI solutions in your projects.
How do I choose the right AI certification for my career?
Consider your current skills, career goals, and the specific AI technologies you want to explore. Look for certifications that align with your industry and role. Research the course content, prerequisites, and the institution offering the certification. Speak with peers or mentors who have pursued similar certifications for insights.
Do I need a technical background to pursue an AI certification?
Not necessarily. Many AI certifications are designed for various skill levels, from beginners to advanced professionals. Some programs don't require a technical background and focus on the business applications of AI. Check the prerequisites for each certification to see if they match your experience and knowledge level.
How long does it take to complete an AI certification?
It depends on the program. Some certifications can be completed in a few weeks with part-time study, while others may take several months if they are more comprehensive.
Are online AI certifications recognized by employers?
Many online AI certifications from reputable platforms (e.g., Coursera, edX, Google, IBM) are respected by employers. The key is choosing a recognized provider with a real-world application in mind. That said, use discernment and look toward roundups from reputable sources if you're unsure.
Other Useful Resources
Here are a few other useful resources to check out:
- Best AI Product Management Courses
- The Skills PMs Need to Build AI-Driven Products (Podcast)
- 4 Notable Product Analytics Certification & If They’re Worth It
- 4 Best Online Agile Product Management Certifications
- 9 Most Popular Product Management Certifications & Courses
What's Next?
Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more product management resources and guides, plus the latest podcasts, interviews, and other insights from industry leaders and experts.
