> Markdown version of [/magazine/600-got-ai-ideas-but-no-money-here-are-10-free-ways-to-level-up-your-ai-skills-with-google-cloud](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/600-got-ai-ideas-but-no-money-here-are-10-free-ways-to-level-up-your-ai-skills-with-google-cloud). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

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# Got AI ideas but no money? Here are 10 free ways to level up your AI skills with Google Cloud

**By:** Erin Rifkin, [Chris Heilmann](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@chris-heilmann)

**Published:** June 25, 2025

The AI skills gap is real and developers are feeling the pressure to bring AI into their everyday work. As the managing director of Google Cloud’s learning organization, the question I hear from technical leaders more than any other is: How do we move from a theoretical understanding of AI to create something useful and innovative?

You may be in experimentation mode, exploring AI concepts—or you might be an experienced AI developer building applications with generative AI. The no-cost training resources that I’m sharing below will help you and your teams get started with AI or build the next big thing.

From introductory courses on generative AI to hands-on labs where you’ll learn how to build with the latest models, these resources are designed to help you gain practical experience.

Here are 10 no-cost resources available right now to help you level up your AI skills:

1. [**Generative AI Leader learning path**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/1951?utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): This path helps learners articulate the capabilities of generative AI and understand how they benefit organizations. It includes on-demand courses, engaging videos, interactive components, and hands-on exercises using tools like Gemini Advanced, NotebookLM, and Google AI Studio.
2. [**Introduction to Generative AI**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/118/course_templates/536?utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): An introductory microlearning course explaining what generative AI is, how it’s used, and how it differs from traditional machine learning methods.
3. [**Introduction to Responsible AI**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/118/course_templates/554?utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-) **:** This introductory-level microlearning course introduces you to responsible AI concepts and principles and how Google implements responsible AI in their products.
4. [**Build Real World AI Applications with Gemini and Imagen**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/course_templates/1076?utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): Complete this course to gain proficiency in image recognition, natural language processing, image generation using Gemini and Imagen models, and deploying applications on the Vertex AI platform. Earn a Skill Badge that you can share with your network.
5. [**Introduction to Vertex AI Studio**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/course_templates/552?utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): This course introduces Vertex AI Studio as a tool to interact with generative AI models, prototype business ideas, and launch them into production. It explores the prompt-to-product lifecycle, prompt design, prompt engineering, and model tuning for Gemini multimodal applications.
6. [**Build an AI Image Generator app using Imagen on Vertex AI**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/course_templates/1076/labs/488226?utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): In this lab, you’ll connect to Vertex AI, load a pre-trained image generation model, send text to the AI model, extract image-based answers, and understand the basics of building AI applications.
7. [**Build a Multi-Modal GenAI Application: Challenge Lab**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/focuses/96795?locale=fr_CA&parent=catalog&utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): This challenge lab provides a scenario and tasks, requiring you to use previously learned skills to complete them without step-by-step instructions. An automated scoring system provides feedback.
8. [**Build an application to send Chat Prompts using the Gemini model**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/course_templates/1076/labs/488227?utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): This lab focuses on working with generative AI and building an application to send chat prompts using the Gemini model. It’s an introductory lab that may incorporate AI tools to support learning.
9. [**Introduction to Large Language Models**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/118/course_templates/539?utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): This course is part of the Beginner: Introduction to generative AI Learning Path.
10. [**Introduction to Image Generation**](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/183/course_templates/541?catalog_rank=%7B%22rank%22%3A2%2C%22num_filters%22%3A0%2C%22has_search%22%3Atrue%7D&search_id=46604098&utm_source=mindshare_program&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=FY25-Q3-We-Are-Developers-Magazine&utm_content=emea-magazine-learning-promo&utm_term=-): This course is part of the Advanced: generative AI for Developers Learning Path and is offered at no cost.

In fact, 8 in 10 Google Cloud learners say that earning a certification accelerates their path to promotion and leadership opportunities within their organization.\*

These resources from Google Cloud Skills Boost — built by the very experts behind these technologies — help developers to go beyond theory, building tangible experience with the cutting-edge tools and models shaping our industry. Don’t just take in the future of AI. Build it.

Erin Rifkin, Managing Director, Google Cloud Learning

\*Google/Ipsos, Cloud Learning Services Market Pulse, Fielded Sept 17th - October 23rd 2024 (US, UK, FR, DE, IN, BR, MX, JP, AU/NZ)



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