AI for beginners: Build real-world AI skills without a computer science degree

If you’re curious about artificial intelligence (AI) or cloud computing but don’t know where to begin, CSU Global offers an 18-credit certificate that’s a great first step.

The undergraduate certificate in Azure AI Automation helps you build real-world, job-ready skills in two of today’s fastest-growing tech fields: Microsoft Azure, a leading cloud platform used by businesses worldwide, and AI automation, which uses machine learning to analyze data, make predictions, and streamline repetitive tasks.

Best of all, you don’t need a computer science degree or advanced coding skills to get started. If you’re comfortable using web-based tools like Google Docs, Microsoft 365, or Zoom—and can follow step-by-step instructions without much trouble—you’re more ready than you think.

“The Azure AI Automation certificate was built to empower professionals to confidently harness the power of AI using Microsoft’s industry-leading tools,” said Matthew Brown, PhD., Lead Program Director at CSU Global. “Our goal is to bridge the gap between technical understanding and real-world application, ensuring students are not only certified, but job-ready to drive innovation in their organizations from day one.”

We asked Dr. Brown to share his insights on who this certificate is intended for, what students can expect to learn, and how these skills show up in the real world.

1. This certificate is designed to build job-ready AI and automation skills—but who is it really for? Would someone in a nontechnical role, like operations, marketing, or small business management, benefit just as much as someone aiming for a more technical career path?

This certificate is intentionally designed for both technical and nontechnical professionals. While it builds practical skills in AI and automation using Azure tools, it doesn’t require a deep technical background to get started. Professionals in operations, marketing, or small business management often have the clearest understanding of where automation can make a real impact, and this program equips them to act on those insights.

The assignments are entirely hands-on and walk students through step-by-step usage of Microsoft Azure tools, guiding them as they build real solutions from the ground up. This makes the learning process both approachable and immediately applicable. For those aiming for a more technical career path, the content offers the depth and structure needed to prepare for roles in AI development, automation engineering, or digital transformation leadership.

2. There’s a growing difference between being AI-aware—knowing that AI exists—and being AI-capable, meaning you can actually use it to solve problems. How does this certificate help students cross that gap?

At CSU Global, we recognize there’s a big difference between knowing AI exists and actually being able to use it to get things done. Being AI-aware is like knowing there’s a powerful tool in the toolbox, while being AI-capable means you know how to pick it up, use it the right way, and get real results. This certificate is built to help students make that leap, moving from simply understanding AI’s potential to confidently applying it in real-world situations.

Students don’t just read about AI or watch it in action; they get hands-on experience using today’s most relevant tools, APIs, and cloud-based services to solve practical problems. Along the way, they learn how to choose the right AI solution for a task, check the quality of its output, and integrate it into everyday work. By the end of the program, they leave with more than just awareness; they have the skills and confidence to put AI to work in ways that truly add value for their employers.

3. For organizations exploring automation and AI, having even one team member who understands the possibilities—and the limitations—can make a big difference. How does this certificate help students build that kind of practical, in-house knowledge, even if they’re not the ones doing the coding full-time?

For organizations exploring automation and AI, having someone who understands both the possibilities and the limitations can make a noticeable difference in how projects move forward. This certificate helps students build that kind of grounded, practical knowledge by showing them how AI and automation tools actually work, where they fit best, and when they might not be the right solution. Even if they’re not coding full-time, students leave with enough technical understanding to communicate effectively with developers, ask informed questions, and contribute meaningfully to planning and decision-making.

The coursework focuses on real examples and hands-on practice, so students see firsthand how automation and AI can be applied in everyday workflows. They learn to evaluate tools, spot realistic use cases, and recognize potential challenges before they become problems. By the end, they’re equipped to help their organizations approach AI adoption with confidence and clarity, ready to turn promising ideas into effective, real-world solutions.

4. The certificate covers tools like Azure Cognitive Services, which help power things like speech recognition and language translation. For someone just starting out, how do these tools make it easier to build smart features without needing to be an expert in AI?

No prior experience is needed to get started, and the certificate is designed so that students can follow step-by-step instructions to build confidence quickly. Tools like Azure Cognitive Services make it possible to add advanced features, such as speech recognition, image analysis, and language translation, without having to write complex algorithms from scratch. Instead of diving deep into the mathematics behind AI, students learn how to connect and configure these pre-built services, focusing on how to integrate them into applications or workflows.

This approach allows beginners to see real results early, which makes learning more engaging and less intimidating. By working through guided exercises, they develop an understanding of what these services can do, how to choose the right one for a given task, and how to adapt them to meet practical needs. Over time, this builds the confidence to explore more complex projects, while still providing the immediate skills needed to create smart, AI-powered solutions right away.

5. Students also learn how to create bots—virtual assistants that can answer questions or handle tasks. Can you explain what that looks like in the course, and how someone might apply that skill in their job or business?

Students learn how to create bots, virtual assistants that can answer questions or handle tasks, by following guided projects that show them how to design, build, and test their own. They use easy-to-access tools, so the focus stays on making the bot work well for users rather than on complex coding.

These skills can be applied in many ways, like building a customer service bot to answer common questions, creating an internal tool to help employees with routine requests, or setting up a simple assistant to handle basic tasks for a small business. It’s a practical way to use AI to save time and improve efficiency.

6. What excites you most about where this field is headed, and how do you see programs like this helping more people tap into the potential of AI, no matter their background?

AI is advancing so quickly, the possibilities really do feel endless, and the only real limit is a person’s imagination. What’s most exciting is how these tools are becoming more accessible, so people don’t need a deep technical background to start using them in meaningful ways.

Programs like this help open the door by breaking AI down into practical, step-by-step learning experiences, showing students how to use real tools to solve real problems. No matter their background, learners can start small, build confidence, and then explore more ambitious ideas, tapping into AI’s potential to create, improve, and innovate in ways that matter to them and their work.

This certificate is stackable, meaning the credits can be applied toward CSU Global’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science if students choose to continue their education. As a 100% online university and part of the renowned Colorado State University system, CSU Global offers flexible courses designed for part-time learners and full-time professionals. It operates on 8-week terms, with new sessions starting every month.

To learn more, contact an enrollment counselor at enroll@csuglobal.edu or 800-462-7845 or apply here.