Learn AI for real work. Free.
GenAI 101 is a free AI course built by IU Kelley School of Business faculty to help you use artificial intelligence in your job, starting immediately.
If you want to learn AI online and gain practical, business-focused skills, Kelley.iu.edu/learnAI is where you'll find it. More courses coming soon.
Description of the video:
Brian Williams: Welcome to our course, which will prepare you to not just talk about a time you used GenAI to enhance your productivity, but will equip you with the skills necessary to integrate it into your daily workflow as a thought partner and productivity amplifier, a trusted colleague, personal assistant, and even a creative collaborator.
I'm Brian Williams. I currently serve as faculty chair of the Virtual Advanced Business Technologies Department at IU's Kelley School, and I'm excited to explore GenAI alongside you. At IU, we know that GenAI skills are important not just for the jobs of today, but also for the jobs of tomorrow. The goal of this course is to give you practical, hands-on skills you can apply immediately, transforming GenAI from just a buzzword into your personal competitive advantage.
Now let's talk about what you should expect in this course.
There are 16 practical, hands-on lessons across 8 modules. This is primarily a skills-building course. Each lesson will equip you with immediately usable skills for using GenAI more effectively in your career.
To that point, you will learn 20 career-ready skills that are organized into 3 primary use cases. Think of these like a video game progression system, but for your personal development.
These use cases are, first, foundational prompt engineering, mastering the art and science of talking to AI. Second, GenAI as a thought partner, learning to collaborate with AI for problem-solving and creative breakthroughs. And then finally, GenAI as a productivity amplifier, transforming hours of work into just minutes without sacrificing quality.
When you complete the entire course, including all assessments, you'll get a formal GenAI 101 certified credential from IU to share on your LinkedIn and socials.
You will get the most out of this course if you are actively following along. All demos in this course will be demonstrated using GenAI tools that are available to you right now.
These skills are transferable among platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini. But having a common ground will make this easy to follow along.
One additional thing that makes GenAI so powerful is that it is a tool that can use other tools.
Brian Williams: Oh, hi Crimson. How are you? [computer whirring]
I'm excited to welcome Crimson along with us on this journey. Speaking of GenAI being a tool that can use other tools, Crimson will serve as my AI agent assistant in this course, and we will accomplish more together.
Now let's go have some fun.
In this preview, faculty instructor Brian Williams explains how GenAI 101 helps professionals learn AI online through real business use cases.
Ready to use AI effectively?
This course is designed for professionals who want to:
- Learn AI without a technical background
- Apply AI directly to your current role
- Build confidence with an AI course developed by a top-10 business school
- Earn a shareable digital AI badge
If you want to learn AI online and gain practical, business-focused skills, this is where to start.
Earn a free AI badge you can use now
When you complete GenAI 101, you earn a free AI badge from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University that includes:
- A shareable LinkedIn credential
- Proof of practical AI skills training
What you’ll learn in this free AI course
Core prompt engineering
Learn how to communicate with AI and get better results.
GenAI as a thought partner
Use AI for problem-solving, decision-making, and idea generation.
GenAI as a productivity tool
Work faster and more efficiently with AI in your daily tasks.
Practical AI skills should not depend on where you work, what you studied, or how much time you have.
Meet your instructor … and his assistant
Brian Williams
Chairperson of the Virtual Advanced Business Technologies Department
Professor, Kelley School of Business
Brian Williams, PhD, serves as chair of the Virtual Advanced Business Technologies Department at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He helped lead the development and launch of Kelley’s internal AI system and developed and taught the school’s first courses focused on building practical generative AI skills for business.
At Kelley, Williams is a professor of accounting and the Sam Frumer Professor. His work focuses on the applied use of generative AI in business, with an emphasis on building practical, workplace-ready skills. Williams’ research focuses on the intersection of technology and business, examining topics such as explainable AI and financial markets.
He holds a PhD in Accounting from the University of Oregon and both a BBA and an MS in Accounting from Texas A&M University. His teaching and research have been recognized with multiple honors, including the Sauvain Undergraduate Teaching Award, the Trustees' Teaching Award, the Innovative Teaching Award, and the Notable Contribution to the Tax Literature Research Award.
Crimson
Virtual AI Agent Assistant
Crimson, your virtual AI assistant (and occasional copilot), will be with you throughout GenAI 101. You’ll spot Crimson in videos and popping up in the “Try This!” sections, usually right when you need a nudge.
Crimson was “born” in 2025 at the Brian D. Jellison Studios—Kelley’s in-house production hub—and brought to life by the Learning Media team, who continue to upgrade both their capabilities and their sense of humor.
Crimson is a devoted IU Hoosiers fan whose favorite movies are WALL-E and You’ve Got Mail. Crimson enjoys gently poking fun at Brian, dancing, and, of course, helping teach people how to use AI responsibly and effectively.
This cheeky little robot might just steal your heart, while making AI easier (and more fun!) to learn.
Ready for more?
After completing Gen AI 101, watch 37 AI Skills Every Professional Should Know
Coming Soon: AI Skills for Business (May 2026)
Next step: Leading with AI
Ready to go further? Kelley’s Leading with AI course series builds on GenAI 101, helping you apply AI across your work, your team, and your organization.
These courses focus on using AI for better decisions, stronger workflows, and real business impact.
Deepen your AI skills