IU's Free GenAI 101 Course Is Now Open to Anyone Worldwide

Indiana University just removed one of the last barriers to AI literacy: the price tag. IU's Kelley School of Business has opened GenAI 101—one of the largest generative AI courses offered by a leading research university—to anyone in the world, completely free.

Since launching in August 2025, GenAI 101 has enrolled more than 114,000 students, staff, and faculty. After expanding to IU's 805,000+ alumni network in October, the school is now making it universally available as a response to demand from businesses, state governments, and universities across the country.

Key Takeaways

• Eight self-paced modules, 16 lessons: The course covers practical skills including prompt engineering, data storytelling, fact-checking AI-generated content, and ethical AI use—skills directly applicable in any professional role.
• 90% of employers are expected to deploy AI solutions by 2028: IU Dean Pat Hopkins framed AI literacy the same way professionals once had to adapt to the internet or mobile phones—only faster. The course is designed to keep workers competitive in that shift.
• Built for accessibility: All tools and examples use publicly available GenAI platforms like Google Gemini and ChatGPT. An AI learning agent named Crimson provides on-demand support throughout the course.
• Part of a broader institutional push: The Kelley School recently launched its AI Playbook for faculty and is revising its undergraduate curriculum to include four required AI and IT courses.

Whether you're a first-year student or a senior executive, the course is designed to make generative AI feel approachable and immediately actionable. Enroll at kelley.iu.edu/learnai.

Read the full article on The Courier Times