Free AI courses or workplace training? – Experts weigh in on upskilling

India Today

a day ago

In India's offices, the AI conversation is no longer theoretical, it's operational. Across sectors, the pressure to integrate artificial intelligence into daily workflows is clear. Whether it's content generation, data analytics, or customer engagement, AI is now an essential component of corporate productivity.For employees, the challenge is now not recognising AI's importance, but deciding how to acquire the skills to use it. Should the white collars turn to the growing ecosystem of free online courses from platforms like Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Coursera and Udemy? Or should they rely on employer-led, in-office training that integrates AI tools directly into their work environment?advertisementThe necessity of upskilling is widely acknowledged, with even experts recognising the value of tapping into all available resources.
Experts incline towards a balanced approach, combining accessible learning options with structured organisational programmes to ensure both breadth and depth in skill development.The debate is further complicated by questions of economics and efficiency. Free online resources are abundant, flexible, and accessible to anyone with an internet connection.In contrast, in-office training provides structure, context, and opportunities for direct application, but it is often reserved for selected employees and may arrive too late to rescue careers already under strain.THE CASE FOR TAKING CONTROLAnkur Agarwal, founder of the LHR Group, does not mince words. 'While organisations absolutely must invest in AI training, it's a business imperative, not charity, the employees must take control of their careers and invest in developing their capability, leverage every free resource available (Coursera, YouTube, GitHub, ChatGPT itself) while pushing for better corporate training".Experts also point out that younger talent, digital natives who are likely to arrive in the workforce already equipped with AI skills, may soon become a more attractive option for companies than investing heavily in training the 'legacy' workforce.From their perspective, just as firms must remain competitive in compensation to retain employees, workers too must remain competitive in their skills to secure their place.
They are of the view that AI learning is as much a matter of survival as salary competitiveness, and free courses, even without corporate backing, serve as a crucial safeguard against redundancy.THE ORGANISATIONAL IMPERATIVEBut there's another side to the story. Anjan Pathak, CTO and Co-founder of Vantage Circle, frames the issue as a productivity equation rather than a personal responsibility debate.'Based on my observations, employees who demonstrate the strongest AI adoption rates are those who proactively engage with these technologies independent of formal training programmes. However, as we felt, relying solely on individual initiative creates organisational inefficiencies," he says."Given this direct correlation between employee skill development and business outcomes, strategic investment in learning infrastructure becomes a clear operational imperative", adds Anjan.advertisementExperts note that self-directed learning delivers results for only about 20% of individuals, while the remaining 80% need structured frameworks, dedicated learning time, and curated guidance.This understanding has led to initiatives such as learning wallets and dedicated academies.They argue that the real question is not about splitting costs between employer and employee, but about whether leadership recognises upskilling as essential infrastructure.In a world where AI capabilities are advancing at an exponential pace, continuous learning is no longer just professional development, it is an operational necessity.Without system-wide skill-building, companies risk slowing themselves down and losing their competitive edge.BLENDING BREADTH WITH DEPTHHere, experts emphasise the importance of curation, starting with open resources to create awareness, then developing deeper expertise through corporate programmes aligned with specific business needs.'Free AI courses can spark curiosity, but workplace AI training is where meaningful capability building happens. In contrast, in-office training, when designed well, blends AI concepts with real-world workflows, experiential simulations, and cross-functional collaboration," says Rajiv Jayaraman, CEO and Founder of KNOLSKAPE.
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advertisement"The real winner isn't one over the other; it's a well-curated blend, where foundational knowledge comes from accessible resources, but mastery and transformation happen within the organization's contex," he adds.The real answer is not either/or but both.Roy Aniruddha, Co-Founder and Chairman of TechnoStruct Academy, frames the issue in sharper market terms.He observes that in the choice between free AI courses and corporate training, India's professionals are 'voting with their keyboards', and the outcome is telling.According to him, the real advantage lies with employees who push for both, compelling companies to subsidise certifications while also providing hands-on projects.In India's competitive job market, he warns, half-measures are inadequate; firms that fail to combine structured upskilling with freely available learning are not truly preparing their workforce, but merely pacifying it.His data point from NASSCOM, that 73% of learners prefer the flexibility of free platforms, underscores a generational shift in learning behaviour, one that employers must address or risk losing competitive talent to more agile organisations.THE GOOGLE EFFECT AND BEYONDThe peg is clear: companies like Google are offering an expanding range of free AI courses, from generative AI basics to advanced applications in data science.advertisementMicrosoft, Amazon, and IBM are doing the same. This has created a democratised entry point into AI literacy.For employees, this means the barrier to entry is lower than ever. Anyone can log in, watch, experiment, and build a portfolio of skills without asking for permission or budget.Yet, as several experts point out, what these courses can't provide is domain-specific adaptation.
A finance analyst can learn how to prompt a language model from a public course, but integrating that model into a company's compliance-approved reporting process requires guidance, access to proprietary tools, and an understanding of internal workflows, something only employer-led training can deliver.THE CHOICE -- AND THE COST OF DELAYThe tension between individual initiative and organisational responsibility is unlikely to disappear. Employees who wait for structured training risk falling behind; companies that neglect systematic training risk slowing down their own digital transformation.In the short term, hybrid approaches may dominate: self-directed learners pushing ahead with free resources, while companies gradually expand in-house programmes.advertisementIn the long term, the competitive pressure, both in talent markets and in customer delivery, will likely force a more integrated model.What's clear is that AI learning is no longer a discretionary perk. It's a shared imperative with shared risks.Employees who view it as optional are gambling with their employability; employers who underinvest are gambling with their competitiveness.In the words of one HR head at a major IT firm, who requested anonymity, 'We can debate who should pay for training, but in the end, if the skills aren't there, the business loses.'The marketplace for AI skills is moving fast -- whether through free online courses, corporate academies, or a blend of both. The clock is already ticking.- Ends