As an HR Leader, Should You Take a Six-Week Course in AI?

AI Courses are Everywhere Right Now

Major universities such as MIT, Oxford and Stanford are offering 4 to 6 week programmes covering topics from AI in business strategy to generative AI and data analytics. They provide flexibility, access to leading academics, and a certificate that carries weight on your professional profile.

But these aren’t the only options. Alongside the big-name programmes, there are many affordable and even free courses available through platforms like Coursera and YouTube. You can also create your own structured learning path with AI tools such as ChatGPT or Gemini using them not just to learn, but to test your understanding along the way.

So, should you invest in a six-week course?

Rationale for HR Leaders

• Performance implications: AI is changing how performance is measured. Is success down to the individual, the tool, or the collaboration between them? HR leaders who understand this shift can design fair policies, adapt performance management, and guide workforce practices in uncharted territory.

• Cross-functional leadership: With an AI foundation, HR can step forward to lead conversations with the CEO, COO, CMO, and Head of Sales about how AI adoption reshapes teams, culture, and strategy.
  

What Makes a Six-Week Course Valuable

These programmes are designed for executives and professionals. They focus on how to think strategically about AI, not how to write code. Most importantly, they provide a foundation: enough knowledge to engage in meaningful conversations, evaluate tools critically, and guide policy decisions. For HR leaders, this foundation directly connects to the challenges of measuring performance in an AI-enabled workplace and leading cross-functional discussions about workforce transformation.

Why These Courses Work Well for HR Leaders

• Structured learning: A defined start and finish, focused on AI in business strategy and implementation.

• Flexibility: Entirely online, accessible on mobile, tablet or desktop, and designed to fit around a demanding schedule.

• Networking: You will collaborate with global professionals, often senior leaders who are facing the same workforce challenges.

• Credibility: A certificate from a major institution signals both commitment and capability when you speak with other executives or employees about AI.

  
  

Key Considerations Before You Enrol

Taking a six-week course is a commitment. Here’s what to weigh carefully:

• Budget: Expect costs in the range of £2,000 to £5,000.

• Time: To do well, plan for 15 to 20 hours per week. That usually means evenings, weekends, or early mornings. If you want to explore beyond the set curriculum (which is advised), you could easily double that.

• Networking and collaboration: Programmes run on set schedules, with group discussions and class interactions. The peer group is usually made up of professionals advancing their skills, and the network you build may be as valuable as the content.

• Continuation: The fundamentals won’t expire, but AI tools and use cases move quickly. Following a course that has a strong foundation, you will need ongoing learning (even a few hours a week) to remain current.

Example Foundational Course That would be Good for HR Leaders

Alternatives if You’re Not Ready Yet

If the cost or time commitment feels too steep, there are still plenty of ways to build your foundation. If your company won’t invest in a six-week programme, and it’s difficult to justify the expense personally, you still have many options:

• Free or low-cost courses on Coursera or YouTube.

• Using AI itself as a tutor: ask ChatGPT or Gemini to create a structured AI learning path, and use voice features to test your knowledge interactively.

• Running a self-study challenge: set yourself a two-week free course and see if you can complete it on schedule. It’s a good test of commitment before investing in a more expensive course.

The key is not to delay because even smaller steps will give you the foundation to understand AI’s implications for people and teams.

Bottom Line

A six-week AI course won’t turn you into a technologist. But for HR leaders it provides:

• Confidence to join AI conversations at the executive level,

• Credibility to shape AI-related policy, and

• Perspective to evaluate tools that directly impact people, culture, and workforce strategy.

If you want structure, prestige, and a global peer network, the big-name programmes are worth serious consideration. If you’re not ready yet, start small with free or low-cost options.

Either way, don’t sit this one out. The future of HR will be shaped by how well leaders understand and apply AI at a foundational level.

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Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching. Kirill Korshikov. Hi I’m Chris, founder of Colmenero IO. I share content every week about AI for HR. Follow along for tips on HR policy and technology solutions for HR leaders.