Artificial Intelligence: An Introduction - Online Courses - Adult Learning

This course provides a gentle and easy‑to‑understand introduction to artificial intelligence (AI). It is designed for adults who want to learn what AI is, how it is used in everyday life, and how it can support simple tasks at home, at work, or in learning.
You will explore basic AI ideas in a practical way, including how AI can help with writing, searching for information, and organising thoughts and ideas.

The sessions are guided step by step, with time to practise and ask questions in a relaxed and supportive environment.

The course also helps you understand how to use AI tools safely and responsibly, including how to protect personal information and recognise possible risks.
By the end of the course, you will feel more confident using AI and have a clearer understanding of how it can support your digital skills and personal learning.

Learning outcomes

• Understand what artificial intelligence is and how it is used in everyday life

• Use simple AI tools to support writing, searching, and organising information

• Recognise how to use AI safely and responsibly

Entry requirements
Basic computer skills and an interest in learning about digital tools.

What to bring
Please bring a notebook and pen if you wish to take notes, and your reading glasses if you use them. You do not need to have your own device, but you can bring it along if you wish.

Funding and Fees

If you receive certain benefits, you may be able to take the course for free.
If money is stopping you from enrolling, please visit our funding page to see what help is available.

Living in England

To book and join one of our courses, you must live in England permanently and either:

• Live outside the devolved areas listed below, or

Live inside the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) area (Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire).

You cannot enrol if you live in these devolved areas:

• Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

• North East Combined Authority

• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

• Tees Valley Combined Authority

• West Midlands Combined Authority

• West of England Combined Authority

• West Yorkshire Combined Authority

• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

• Hull and East Yorkshire

• Greater Lincolnshire

• Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority

• Cornwall Council

• Lancashire Combined County Authority

• Buckinghamshire Council

Residency Requirements (Additional Information)

If you live in the UK on a visa, we’ll need evidence of your visa to confirm funding. You can upload this when applying, and you’ll need to complete a short questionnaire.

Some exceptions include:

• Your visa must last until after your course ends.

• Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for at least 6 months while their claim is being processed.

• You are supported by your local authority under Section 23C or 23CA of the Children Act 1989, or under the Care Act 2014.

Anyone who does not meet the funding criteria would need to pay full course fees.