Google Launches Generative AI Leader Certification for Business Professionals

You Can Get a Google AI Certification for $99. Or Just Do the Training for Free

Expertise artificial intelligence, home energy, heating and cooling, home technology You can't scroll through LinkedIn for more than 30 seconds without running across someone telling you that generative AI is either going to take your job or change it dramatically. Maybe the loudest refrain is that gen AI won't take your job, but someone who uses it will. So how do you demonstrate to a current or future employer that you're part of the former group? Google has an idea: This week, Google Cloud unveiled a "Generative AI Leader" certification, which involves taking a multiple-choice test to demonstrate your knowledge of the technology. The exam costs $99. But if you're curious about AI and want to learn more from Google, the training course -- which is seven-eight hours long -- is totally free. Spending the money to take the test and get a certification is one thing. Credentials can be valuable in a job hunt or in bargaining for a promotion, but the skills are probably more important. And even if gen AI isn't something you think you will or should use at work, understanding how it works and what it's capable of is perhaps more important. While some companies are going all-in on AI, others are placing more value on your human skills. The training path includes a few different categories of training: The course includes videos and interactive components, with exercises using Google's Gemini model and other tools. Gen AI is everywhere these days, and that means courses and trainings on how to use it are multiplying almost daily. Google isn't alone in offering something. Microsoft has a special "AI Skills Fest" promotion running through May 28 with a wide range of trainings and educational sessions for free. Just as the Google Cloud course emphasizes Google's tech, expect a focus on Copilot and other Microsoft tools here. LinkedIn last week announced it will make its 10 most popular courses on AI free to all members through the end of May. We here at CNET have put together plenty of our own guides on gen AI to help you out if you're AI-curious. A good place to start is all the tips in our AI Essentials guide.

Google offers AI certification for business leaders now - and the training is free

If you want to learn how to successfully implement AI into your business, this free course could be for you. As AI becomes an increasingly used tool by organizations across all industries, studies show that employees' expectations of being knowledgeable about AI are only increasing. Now, Google is presenting business leaders with a new AI literacy opportunity. Also: I test a lot of AI coding tools, and this stunning new OpenAI release just saved me days of work On Wednesday, Google Cloud announced a "first-of-its-kind" generative AI certification geared toward non-technical learners, such as managers and business leaders, who want to learn about AI's impacts beyond coding. According to Google, the course focuses on how to strategically adopt, discuss, and lead generative AI efforts. Also: The best free AI courses and certificates in 2025 The Google Cloud Generative AI Leader certification exam, which costs $99 and lasts 90 minutes, is available starting May 14. Although the certification comes at a cost, Google positions it as an investment, noting that Google Cloud certifications are "powerful catalysts" in achieving career growth. Google Cloud is also offering a no-cost learning path on Google Cloud Skills Boost. This path allows users to prepare for the exam and learn in-depth about the benefits of generative AI through hands-on experiences, podcast-style videos, and more. The best part is that, technically, you can go through the modules without taking the exam. Although you won't have proof to show for your upskilling, you can still apply what you learned toward your work. Google shares that the learning path takes seven to eight hours to complete and is split into five courses: If you want to access the course, all you have to do is visit the Generative AI Leader course on Google Cloud Skills Boost. To register for your exam, you have to visit the Generative AI Leader page under the Google Cloud certification website. There are options for online or on-site proctored exams. The certification is valued for three years, and there is no prerequisite to register. This page also offers future test takers a Generative AI Leader Exam study guide, which everyone can access for free. Also: I tried Microsoft's free AI skills training, and you can too - for another few weeks If this certification is out of your budget, there are other options available online at all different price points, many of them free. ZDNET gathered the best free AI courses and certificates in 2025. Also, LinkedIn last week made its top 10 most popular AI courses free to all users through the end of May.

Google offers AI certification for business leaders now - free trainings included

If you're looking to effectively integrate AI into your business, this free course might be just what you need. As AI becomes an increasingly used tool by organizations across all industries, studies show that employees' expectations of being knowledgeable about AI are only increasing. Now, Google is presenting business leaders with a new AI literacy opportunity. Also: Google's popular AI tool gets its own Android app - how to use NotebookLM on your phone Generative AI Leader certification Last week, Google Cloud announced a "first-of-its-kind" generative AI certification geared toward non-technical learners, such as managers and business leaders, who want to learn about AI's impacts beyond coding. According to Google, the course focuses on how to strategically adopt, discuss, and lead generative AI efforts. Also: The best free AI courses and certificates in 2025 The Google Cloud Generative AI Leader certification exam, which costs $99 and lasts 90 minutes, is available starting May 14. Although the certification comes at a cost, Google positions it as an investment, noting that Google Cloud certifications are "powerful catalysts" in achieving career growth. Generative AI Leader free course Google Cloud is also offering a no-cost learning path on Google Cloud Skills Boost. This path allows users to prepare for the exam and learn in-depth about the benefits of generative AI through hands-on experiences, podcast-style videos, and more. The best part is that, technically, you can go through the modules without taking the exam. Although you won't have proof to show for your upskilling, you can still apply what you learned toward your work. Google shares that the learning path takes seven to eight hours to complete and is split into five courses: How to access If you want to access the course, all you have to do is visit the Generative AI Leader course on Google Cloud Skills Boost. To register for your exam, you have to visit the Generative AI Leader page under the Google Cloud certification website. There are options for online or on-site proctored exams. The certification is valued for three years, and there is no prerequisite to register. This page also offers future test takers a Generative AI Leader Exam study guide, which everyone can access for free. Also: I tried Microsoft's free AI skills training, and you can too - for another few weeks If this certification is out of your budget, there are other options available online at all different price points, many of them free. ZDNET gathered the best free AI courses and certificates in 2025. Also, LinkedIn last week made its top 10 most popular AI courses free to all users through the end of May.

Become a certified Generative AI Leader with a first-of-its-kind credential from Google Cloud.

Today, Google Cloud announced a first-of-its-kind Generative AI Leader certification program. It's specifically designed for non-technical professionals like managers, strategists and leaders to give them a foundational understanding of AI and how it's used. Participants will learn in-demand skills for working with AI, get hands-on with Google Cloud's Gen AI products, and how to drive organizational change. Our research shows that more than 80% of people with a Google Cloud certification say the credential opens doors to new career opportunities and accelerates their paths to promotion.* You can prepare for this certification with Google Cloud's free collection of courses. Learn more on the Google Cloud blog.