AI For Everyone
Review

A beginner-friendly introduction to AI concepts for business professionals with no technical background required

Easy
  • Last updated 17/06/2025
by Andrew Ng

What you'll learn ? Overview

Andrew Ng’s AI For Everyone isn’t trying to teach you how to code or dive deep into machine learning theory. Instead, it gives non-technical professionals a clear and practical understanding of how AI can be used in business. If you’re a product manager, executive, or policymaker trying to make smart decisions around AI without becoming an engineer, this course speaks your language.

We went through the full program, and it’s short and focused. In about six hours of video content, spread across four modules, Ng breaks down the core concepts: what AI is, how it works in companies, what makes an AI project succeed or fail, and how to think about its broader impact. The examples are simple but effective, like using housing prices to explain prediction models, or outlining how AI teams fit within an organization.

What stood out to us was the clarity. There’s no coding, no math, and no unnecessary complexity. Ng explains things like neural networks and data pipelines using plain language and everyday scenarios, which makes the course surprisingly accessible.

One downside is the age of the material. It launched in 2019 and hasn’t had a major update since. That means it doesn’t cover recent breakthroughs in generative AI or large language models. Those are tackled in Ng’s newer course, Generative AI for Everyone.

If your goal is to understand how to lead, evaluate, or invest in AI initiatives rather than build them yourself, this course is still a strong introduction. It helps you understand what AI can do, where it’s useful, and how to avoid common pitfalls. It’s not hype-driven, it’s grounded and realistic, which is exactly what most decision-makers need 

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

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Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Business executives navigating AI decisions, product managers working with AI teams, entrepreneurs exploring AI opportunities, policy makers crafting AI regulations, or any professional who needs AI literacy without technical implementation

Instructor

Andrew Ng

AI Pioneer and Education Innovator Legitimacy Score: 10/10
Andrew Ng is a globally recognized leader in AI, renowned for his groundbreaking work in machine learning and deep learning. As a co-founder of Coursera and founder of deeplearning.ai, he has democratized AI education, reaching millions of students worldwide. Ng's contributions span academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, making him a pivotal figure in shaping the AI landscape.
Ng's career is marked by significant milestones. He served as the founding lead of Google Brain, Chief Scientist at Baidu, and co-chairman of Coursera. His academic journey includes roles as a professor at Stanford University and director of its AI Lab. In 2017, Ng founded Landing AI to help companies adopt AI technologies. His work has consistently pushed the boundaries of AI research and application.
• Time 100 Most Influential People (2013)
• Fast Company's Most Creative People (2014)
• Fortune 40 Under 40 (2016)
• Developed one of the world's most advanced autonomous helicopters at Stanford
• Led the Google Brain project, resulting in breakthrough deep learning algorithms
• Co-founded Coursera, revolutionizing online education
• Founded deeplearning.ai to provide specialized AI education
• Launched AI Fund, a $175 million investment vehicle for AI startups
• Appointed to Amazon's Board of Directors in 2024
• TED Talk: 'How AI Can Save Our Humanity' (2018)
• World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Davos (multiple years)
• AI for Everyone: Live Q&A with Andrew Ng (Coursera event, 2019)
• Stanford HAI 2019 Fall Conference keynote speaker
• EmTech Digital 2021 by MIT Technology Review
• AI Summit Silicon Valley 2022 keynote speaker
• Collision Conference 2023 featured speaker
Andrew Ng cultivates a robust digital footprint, regularly sharing AI insights and educational content across platforms. His LinkedIn posts often delve into AI trends and ethical considerations, while his Twitter feed offers a mix of industry news and personal reflections on AI's societal impact. Ng's YouTube channel features in-depth lectures and interviews, serving as a valuable resource for AI enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration6
  • 📶 DifficultyEasy
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None whatsoever, designed specifically for non-technical audiences


💻 Requirements

Any device with internet connection and web browser


💸 Hidden Costs

Zero hidden costs when taking the paid version. Free audit option excludes certificate and some quiz features


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Coursera discussion forums for peer support, no direct instructor interaction

Course content

  • Module 1: What is AI? Introduction to AI concepts, machine learning vs. deep learning, understanding data, AI terminology, what AI can and cannot do
  • Module 2: Building AI Projects Machine learning workflow, data science project workflow, choosing AI projects (parts 1 & 2), case study analysis, AI transformation technical tools
  • Module 3: Building AI in Your Company Smart speaker case study, self-driving car case study, AI team roles, transformation playbook steps, organizing AI teams, common implementation pitfalls
  • Module 4: AI and Society Realistic AI expectations, discrimination and bias issues, adversarial attacks, deepfakes and adverse uses, AI in developing economies, impact on jobs, future of AI

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

After analyzing over 110,000 course ratings and discussions across multiple platforms, we found overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with learners particularly praising the accessibility of complex AI concepts.

Praised points

  • Teaching clarity: Andrew Ng breaks down intimidating AI concepts into digestible chunks without dumbing them down
  • Business relevance: The focus on strategic implementation rather than technical details resonates with managers and executives
  • Comprehensive overview: Covers everything from basic definitions to ethical considerations in a logical progression

Criticisms

  • Too elementary for technical audiences: Engineers and data scientists find the content lacks the depth they're seeking
  • Aging content: Some examples and case studies feel outdated given rapid AI advancement since 2019
  • Limited practical exercises: The course emphasizes concepts over hands-on application

Testimonials

"If you make good salary you might as well get the certificate since the cost is insignificant compared to the value of your time."

"This is a great course to recommend to people who want to work with you so they can get up to speed."

"If you are currently already working on machine learning projects this is not for you."

"In a few years a course like this will be part of general training curriculum at most big companies."

"The course is well-structured, offering a mix of videos, readings, quizzes, and practical exercises."

Social insights

Reddit discussions on r/learnmachinelearning consistently recommend this as the go-to starting point for business professionals. Quora threads echo this sentiment, with users highlighting its value for understanding AI terminology and strategic considerations. We noticed technical professionals often suggest it to their non-technical colleagues as a way to establish common ground.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The course promises to help non-technical professionals understand AI fundamentals and make strategic decisions. Our testing confirms it delivers exactly this, no more, no less. No unrealistic income claims or career transformation promises appear anywhere.

Price History

Price has remained stable at $49 since launch, with occasional Coursera platform-wide promotions

Upsell Practices

Coursera promotes their Plus subscription ($399/year), and deeplearning.ai offers more advanced courses as logical next steps. These feel like natural progressions rather than aggressive upselling.

Student Success

Success here means gaining AI literacy and strategic understanding. Based on thousands of reviews, learners consistently report achieving these goals. Business professionals mention using the knowledge in meetings and decision-making.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Coursera's platform handles the course well, offering reliable video streaming, downloadable transcripts, and mobile apps for learning on the go

Content Accessibility

Videos include subtitles in multiple languages, transcripts available, mobile app allows offline downloads

Mobile Compatibility

Full functionality on iOS and Android apps, though we found the desktop experience superior for reading materials

Technical Requirements

Basic internet connection sufficient, no specialized software needed

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We found remarkably few complaints about the course content itself. The primary criticism, that it's "too basic," actually validates the course's transparent marketing to beginners. Platform-related issues with Coursera's billing or customer service occasionally surface, but these aren't course-specific.

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Refund policy issues

Standard Coursera 14-day refund policy applies. We found no reports of refund denials specific to this course.

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Marketing practices

The marketing is refreshingly honest. No promises of six-figure salaries, no claims about becoming an AI engineer in 6 weeks. The tagline "AI is not only for engineers" accurately represents what you'll get.

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Community feedback

Course forums show engaged, supportive discussions. No pattern of dissatisfaction or unmet expectations emerges from community interactions.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $49, this course delivers exceptional value for its target audience. We compared it to executive AI workshops costing thousands and found comparable conceptual coverage. The ability to audit for free makes it accessible to everyone.

Conclusion

After thorough analysis, we can confidently say AI For Everyone achieves exactly what it sets out to do: democratize AI understanding for non-technical audiences. Andrew Ng's reputation isn't just window dressing here, his teaching expertise shines through in how he breaks down complex concepts without oversimplifying them.
The course's greatest strength lies in its laser focus on its intended audience. While technical professionals might find it elementary (and they should), business professionals consistently report it gives them the confidence to engage in AI discussions and make informed decisions. At the Low Ticket price point of $49, it's difficult to find comparable value elsewhere.
We do note some limitations. The 2019 content doesn't fully capture recent AI breakthroughs, particularly in generative AI. Some case studies feel dated. The lack of hands-on exercises might disappoint learners who prefer learning by doing. Yet these aren't failures, they're deliberate design choices that keep the course accessible to its target audience.
The 8.2/10 legitimacy score reflects a course that excels within its niche. It won't make you an AI engineer, but it will make you an informed participant in the AI revolution. For business professionals, policy makers, and anyone needing to understand AI's strategic implications without diving into code, we found no better starting point. The combination of world-class instruction, transparent marketing, and genuine value makes this an easy recommendation for its intended audience.

FAQs about this course

For $49, the certificate can add value to your LinkedIn profile, especially if you're in a business role interfacing with AI teams. However, the knowledge gained matters more than the certificate itself.

While this course covers broad AI fundamentals from 2019, Generative AI for Everyone focuses specifically on newer technologies like ChatGPT and image generation. Take this first for foundations, then the newer course for current trends.

This course builds AI literacy rather than technical skills. It's ideal for enhancing your current role with AI understanding, not for transitioning to AI engineering positions.

Core concepts like machine learning workflows and AI strategy remain relevant. However, it doesn't cover recent advances in large language models or generative AI, you'll need supplementary resources for those topics.

No, this course is specifically designed for non-technical professionals with zero coding requirements. All concepts are explained without programming examples.

The course contains about 6 hours of content. Most learners complete it over 4 weeks studying 1-2 hours weekly, though motivated students can finish in a single focused day.

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AI For Everyone screenshot
AI For Everyone Review
$ 49
Total score: 8,8/10 ⭐
  • Duration6
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date01/2019
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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AI For Everyone Review