2x AI Online Courses (Prompt Engineering & Programming; Building Custom LLMs) $0 (Usually US$99 Each) @ Columbia University

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SPRINGAI

Assuming you will be actually doing these AI & Data Science courses instead of saving them to your account and never looking at them again, note that the estimated time commitment is 4-5 hours per week for two weeks. The former module (prompt engineering) is also rated as lower perceived effort than the latter (1/4 vs 3/4 - I have no idea what those ratings mean though).

Both courses presume basic Python programming knowledge. The former operates within Google Colab using Open AI and DeepSeek APIs. Happy learning!

~ From the email:

Greetings,

For a limited time, you can enroll in two of Columbia University’s newest and most popular AI courses for free through April 30, 2026, on Columbia+!

This initiative reflects our commitment to making the expertise of our world-renowned faculty more accessible to learners everywhere.

Each course includes full access to instructional materials, video lectures, and assessments at no cost. Upon completion, learners will also have the option to purchase a verified certificate of completion for only $20.

Prompt Engineering & Programming with OpenAI

  • Learn to design prompts, code with the OpenAI API, and build LLM features that improve workflows, automate tasks, and drive innovation.

Building Customized LLMs with OpenAI

  • Develop advanced skills customizing and deploying large language models via hands-on projects, covering RAG, fine-tuning, applications.

About Columbia+

  • Columbia+ is Columbia University's online platform to engage alumni and lifelong learners from around the world. With a mix of on-demand, live-online, and executive education programs, Columbia+ offers the flexibility to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. From artificial intelligence and data science to public health, leadership, and the arts, it's your gateway to a world of educational opportunities.

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Columbia University in the City of New York
Columbia University in the City of New York

Comments

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  • +5

    lol

  • If it is at least a dollar then I would take more serious about the course 😉

    • +5

      That’s why Unis make you pay through the nose!
      Just so people like you take the courses serious [sic].

  • +2

    Thanks will give it a try. One day.

  • +1

    Literally talk to the LLM. Ask it the best ways to do things, it will tell you. Including how best to interact with it.

    • +1

      Yeah, I've learned this from a co worker yesterday. Just prompt your regular request, and ask the ai to reframe it as a prompt engineer.

      • +1

        That's level 101 yes. And you can go from there. its mainly about context. think of the AI as a really smart bookwise 19yo uni graduate who got straight 7s.

        but has no (profanity) idea about anything….

        so getting them up to speed is the magic. ask the ai 'someone online said that the most important thing for an LLM to get from its human is good context for the conversation. is he correct?'

        I have self improving agents that work through obsidien and markdown files.

  • +5

    I’m way ahead of it, I use AI to create my prompts.

  • +1
    Their site is under maintenance.

    Columbia Plus
    We are currently performing maintenance and should be back shortly.

    Thank you for your patience.

  • Looks like they want $20 if you want / need a certificate.

  • -1

    There's quite a few other free short courses and a few that are also $99 so might become free with the code (haven't tried the code on them though)

    • Would love to know what other interesting courses you find.

  • +1

    See? An Ivy League education doesn't have to be expensive!

    • +2

      I'll put this onto my Linkedin straight away haha

  • instead of saving them to your account and never looking at them again

    I thought that's what they're for

  • +1

    Prompt eNG1n3333r11ng.

  • Setting a reminder that I can keep ignoring

  • Edu email?

    • No edu email

  • Graduated from the School of Hard Knocks, now time for a real education

  • tried, no edu email given…

  • the only thing here that would be good is to learn to build workflows i think

  • Thanks OP

  • Thanks Op will give it a go

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