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Develop job-relevant generative AI skills and earn a certificate through flexible edX courses from universities and industry leaders.

Key takeaways

  • Learn how generative AI tools work and how to use them in your job or personal projects.
  • Start with structured online courses on edX and earn a certificate from top universities and industry partners.
  • Explore career paths where gen AI skills can support

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What is generative AI?

Generative AI, also known as gen AI, is a type of artificial intelligence that produces text, images, audio, video, or code in response to a prompt. These systems are trained on large datasets, where they learn patterns and relationships, then use that training to generate a likely response rather than retrieve a prewritten answer.

Some generative AI tools you may know or use include:

  • Chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude
  • Image generators like Midjourney and DALL-E
  • Coding assistants like Cursor and GitHub Copilot
  • AI search tools like Perplexity and Gemini
  • Writing tools like Grammarly and Notion AI
  • Design platforms like Canva and Adobe Firefly

Because generative AI can produce inaccurate, biased, or uncited information, users should always review outputs before using them in any context.

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How is generative AI used at work?

Professionals use generative AI to automate repetitive tasks, review and summarize large amounts of information, analyze complex datasets, and draft content. These tools can support work in finance, software development, customer support, healthcare administration, education, marketing, and business operations.

Adoption is moving quickly. Stanford's 2026 AI Index Report states that generative AI reached 53% population-level adoption within three years, while organizational AI adoption reached 88% in 2025.

For workers, that shift can create pressure to learn which tools are useful, where they fall short, and how to use them responsibly. edX research found that 79% of U.S. adults want to invest in AI education, pointing to a growing need for structured ways to learn the technology.

Why learn generative AI?

  • Generative AI can make everyday work more efficient by automating or accelerating tasks related to your role.
  • Gen AI skills may open paths to new roles or industries, including positions such as software developer, marketing manager, or medical and health services manager, all of which report median salaries of six figures or more, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  • Generative AI is also useful outside of work, whether you're planning trips, learning new topics, comparing buying options, or organizing DIY home projects.

What can you do with generative AI skills?

Upskilling by learning how to use generative AI tools and apply them to your sector may lead to new job opportunities. Here are some paths you can consider, with salary information from the BLS:

Medical and health services manager

Medical and health services managers direct the business activities of healthcare providers. Generative AI skills may help them evaluate administrative use cases, summarize information, and improve workflows in healthcare settings.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a healthcare field.
  • BLS median annual salary (2024): $117,960

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How to learn generative AI

On edX, you can learn generative AI from institutions and industry partners such as IBM, Pragmatic AI Labs, and Georgia Tech. These courses provide the option to upgrade to a verified certificate that you can add to your résumé or LinkedIn profile.

Choose a course path based on how you want to use gen AI at work, whether you're improving your productivity, evaluating tools for a team, or developing AI applications.

Use these steps to start with the fundamentals and move toward more career-focused applications:

1. Take an introductory course to understand what generative AI can do

Begin with a course that explains what generative AI is, introduces common tools, and shows how they can be used across different job functions. This foundation can help you compare gen AI tools and decide which skills are most relevant to your career goals.

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Frequently asked questions

What skills are needed for generative AI?

You don't need to be a coder to work with generative AI tools. It helps to be comfortable with digital tools, write clear instructions, and experiment with prompts. If you want to build AI applications, learning Python, machine learning basics, APIs, and how to work with large datasets will become more important.

What is the difference between traditional AI and generative AI?

Traditional AI analyzes data and recognizes patterns, while generative AI creates new content. Traditional AI is good at predicting outcomes, such as product recommendations or image recognition. Generative AI uses prompts to create original content, such as text, images, or video.

What are examples of generative AI tools?

Image generation systems like DALL-E and Midjourney are examples of generative AI. These programs create original images based on user prompts, and their ability to create new content classifies them as generative AI.

Is ChatGPT a generative AI?

ChatGPT is a generative AI, since it creates new content based on user input. As a large language model, ChatGPT can understand language and generate original text and images in response to user prompts.