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AI Essentials
Next class: Nov 2
University-Backed

AI Automation certificate course

Build powerful automations with AI and no-code tools. Learn the foundations of AI agents and agentic AI. No coding required! 5 weeks online, with a certificate from the university you choose.

Length + formatFormat
5 weeks
On demand + optional live sessions
Tools + technologyTools + Tech
Make.com
Gemini Notebook
Zapier
n8n
Miro
You earn
University certificate
From a leading university
Next class starts
November 2, 2026
Tools you’ll use in this course
ChatGPT
Make.com
Gemini Notebook
Zapier
n8n
Miro
Tuition
$1,850
$2,300
SAVE 20%

Payment plans and employer reimbursement available.

Find your university

See which universities offer AI Automation.

Enter your ZIP code
Search
Or browse all 34 universities

Delivered by Ziplines.
Backed by leading universities.

Choose from over 40 partner universities and earn a certificate employers will reward. We see 10X higher completion rates than on-demand only courses.

Is this course right for me?

You use AI every day. Now make it run on its own.

No coding required. If you already use ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini regularly, this is your next step.

Before

“I’m copying and pasting between AI and other tools.”

After
“AI runs inside my key workflows.”
Before

“The same repetitive tasks fill my week.”

After
“These tasks now run on their own.”
Before

“I’m waiting on a dev team to build anything.”

After
“I’m building it myself, no code.”
Before

“AI agents sound like hype.”

After
“I know where agents fit and how to use them.”
Before

“I worry an automation will break or go rogue.”

After
“I know how to build in guardrails and design it to scale.”
Before

“I have an idea but can't get buy-in.”

After
"My automation plan gets a YES from leadership."
Ready to build tools?Vibe Coding is your next step.Build working apps, no coding experience required.
View course →
How it works

Learn with a university you trust

Ziplines works with top public universities to bring you career-focused courses. Choose your university and earn a credential employers recognize.

Find your university
1

Choose your university

Enter your ZIP code to see the universities offering AI Essentials.

Browse universities↓
2

Learn online for 5 weeks

New lessons each week, a live session you can watch later, and 1:1 dedicated support by chat, email or phone.

3

Earn your university certificate

Issued in your university's name.

What you'll learn

From automation idea to working workflow in 5 weeks

Learn how to strategically use AI and no-code tools to build automations for your business. Understand when AI agents and agentic AI can help—and how they fit into your workflows. Over 5 weeks, this AI automation training program will teach you how to:

01
Automation opportunities

Find the automations worth building

Pinpoint the tasks where automation saves you the most time.
02
AI agents

Know when AI agents can help

Learn what agents can do on their own and where they need guardrails.
03
Process mapping

Map any workflow end to end

Turn a messy process into a clear map of triggers, inputs, and outputs.
04
No-code build

Build a working automation, no code required

Use Make.com, Zapier, or n8n to automate a real workflow from your job.
05
Adoption

Get your team to adopt it

Win stakeholder buy-in and roll it out with the right guardrails.
What you walk away with
Issued by your university
Your university
Certificate of Completion
AI Automation
ISSUED BY YOUR UNIVERSITY · DELIVERED WITH ZIPLINES
A university certificate, paid for by your employer
A working automation built on your own workflow
A rollout plan your team can adopt
Hands-on practice with Make.com, Zapier, and n8n
Full curriculum

Transform automation ideas into reality

Week 1
Identify high-impact automation opportunities
−
— Define key AI automation concepts.
— Discover where automation can help you the most, whether it's auto-generating reports, monitoring sales pipelines, updating data across systems, and more.
— Build the skills to apply workflows to your day-to-day tasks.
Week 2
Explore AI agents and agentic AI basics
+
— Explore the differences between AI agents and agentic AI.
— Experiment with emerging agent platforms like ChatGPT agent mode and Perplexity Comet.
— Evaluate limitations and guardrails: including data privacy, API costs, and human-in-the-loop oversight.
Week 3
Map the process from point A to Z (with step-by-step guidance)
+
— Identify actions, inputs, and outputs that will impact your workflow.
— Create a process map of your high-impact workflow using Miro.
— Factor potential challenges, quality assurance, and performance improvements into your process.
Week 4
Leverage AI and no-code tools to build an automated workflow
+
— Determine which no-code tools, like Make.com, Zapier, and n8n, are right for your automation.
— Create an end-to-end automation of a real workflow that will help you save time.
— Troubleshoot common errors to ensure workflows deliver accurate, consistent results.
Week 5
Get buy-in for your AI automation
+
— Apply strategies to get buy-in from your team and key stakeholders to adopt AI workflows.
— Create an implementation plan for your AI-powered workflow with a high likelihood of adoption.
— Establish guardrails for ethical AI use, including oversight, compliance, and brand considerations.
Time and support

AI training to fit around a full-time job

Self-paced lessons

Learn on your schedule and maintain access to the curriculum for 12 full months.

AI Essentials · Week 3
42%
Module 3
Master AI content creation
Continue
Portfolio piece: put this week's skill to work
Up next

Live expert sessions

Weekly sessions with your instructor, recorded so missing one doesn't set you back.

Instructor leading a live online session
Upcoming
Next Live Session
Weekly, led by your instructor
Recorded if you miss it

Get 1-on-1 guidance

You'll have support from your dedicated learner success advocate every step of the way.

A Ziplines Learner Success Advocate
Learner Success Advocate
Stuck on this week's project. Can you take a look?
Absolutely. Share what you have so far and we'll work through it together.
Learner success team · here all program long
Tuition and payment options

How much is the AI automation course?

AI Essentials certificate course
5 weeks
Online
Live sessions optional
Automate your repetitive work
Tuition
$1,850
$2,300
SAVE 20%
Find your university
Good to know: this is a university-backed course so your employer is likely to pay for it.
flexible Ways to pay
Pay in full
Pay monthly
Get reimbursed by your employer
7-day money back guarantee — no questions asked
Upcoming start dates
November 2
Runs November 2 to December 6, 2026
5-week course
Choose your university →
December 7
Runs December 7, 2026 to January 10, 2027
5-week course
Choose your university →
January 5
Runs January 5 to February 8, 2027
5-week course
Choose your university →
Learner reviews

What learners say

★
★
★
★
★
4.8 on Trustpilot · 845 reviews
★
★
★
★
★

“It doesn’t push hype or ‘automate everything’ thinking. Instead, it teaches you how to evaluate where automation adds value, where it introduces risk, and how to design systems that scale thoughtfully.”

B
Brenda N.
AI Automation learner
★
★
★
★
★

“The entire process has been brilliantly designed to be efficient and seamless. The format was simple and intuitive yet the learning experience was comprehensive and divided into digestible segments. Great job and the instructors were as good as it gets.”

S
Steve L.
AI Automation learner
★
★
★
★
★

“The content was well-structured, and the instructors were knowledgeable and engaging. I appreciated how practical the lessons were, with real-world examples that helped me immediately apply what I learned in my work.”

D
Darren H.
AI Automation learner
Read all reviews on Trustpilot →
Meet your instructors

Learn from AI experts who automate for a living

Leading AI practitioners. Emerging technology researchers. Business innovators. Our instructors are amazing educators and savvy business professionals who designed this course with working professionals in mind.

Danoosh Kapadia
AI Automation

Danoosh Kapadia

AI-Powered Growth Strategist
Michelle Lentz
AI Automation

Michelle Lentz

Chief Technologist & AI Strategist
Susan Morrow
AI Automation

Susan Morrow

Founder & CEO
Anitha Mercy
AI Automation

Anitha Mercy

Chief Technology Officer
Nicholas Saller
AI Automation

Nicholas Saller

Owner
How it compares

Why pay for a course when there are free videos?

Free videos are great for one skill at a time. A course gives you a plan, practice on your own work, live help, and a credential.

Free videos and blogs
Typical online course
AI Essentials
A plan that builds week to week
—
Partial
Live sessions with an instructor
—
—
A class and deadlines to keep you going
—
—
A university certificate
—
—
Finished work you can show your manager
—
Partial
Choose your university

Find your university

Same 5-week course, same instructors and start dates at every university. The university you pick issues your certificate.

Find by ZIP code or state
Browse all 34 universities
Your ZIP code
or
Choose a state
▾

Work remotely? Use the ZIP where you live. The course is online, so any university works.

In Arizona
2 universities
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Online · Next class Nov 2
View course→
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Online · Next class Nov 2
View course→
Nearby states
Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, California
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Online · Next class Nov 2
View course→
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Online · Next class Nov 2
View course→
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Online · Next class Nov 2
View course→
Questions

What people ask before they enroll

Browse the answers, or talk it through with an advisor. No pressure.

Is it right for me?
What’s the job outlook for AI automation skills?
+

As industries rapidly integrate AI technologies, the demand for professionals proficient in AI skills has surged. Job postings with generative AI increased by 15,625% from 2021 to 2024, according to the Lightcast “Speed of Skill Change” report, underscoring significant market demand. Additionally, Lightcast found that AI skills command a 28% salary premium in the Beyond the Buzz: Developing the AI Skills Employers Actually Need report.

Who is the ideal candidate for this program?
+

This course is ideal for business professionals, business owners, and consultants seeking practical solutions to turn automation ideas into reality without relying on a development or engineering team.

Learners taking this course should be regular users of ChatGPT, Claude, or other generative AI tools and be ready to advance their skills beyond prompting to build automated workflows.

Have additional questions? Email us at support@ziplines.com and someone from our enrollment team will get back to you.

How is AI Automation different from AI Essentials?
+

The AI Essentials course covers foundational generative AI skills, which involve entering specific instructions or queries into AI systems to generate desired outputs, such as text, images, or code.

AI Automation goes a step further. It focuses on automating tasks by integrating AI tools into structured workflows. This course teaches you how to connect AI with no-code automation tools like Make.com, Zapier, and n8n to streamline processes, reduce manual work, and enhance efficiency.

Are there any prerequisites for the course?
+

Yes. Learners taking this course should be regular users of ChatGPT, Claude, or other generative AI tools and be ready to advance their skills beyond prompting to build automated workflows.

Do you offer group enrollment with business discounts for this course?
+

Yes! We offer group enrollments for your team’s AI training needs. We work with business teams, executives, and organizations of all sizes to provide seamless group enrollment and onboarding. Learn more and request a group enrollment quote here.

Time and schedule
How many hours a week should I expect to spend on the program?
+

Our courses are built for real life. This program is designed to fit around a full-time role while still delivering meaningful outcomes.

You can expect to spend 6–8 hours per week on interactive, on-demand content, including hands-on activities and applied playbook assignments.

Weekly live online sessions (2 hours) are led by expert AI practitioners and include demos, discussion, and deeper dives into course content. These sessions are optional and recorded for later viewing.

Where does the program take place?
+

Everything is online. You’ll access on-demand content and assignments through our online learning platform and join the optional instructor-led live sessions once a week through a video conference platform. The live sessions are recorded and available for playback on demand. The online Learner Dashboard can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection on a computer.

Cost and paying
What payment options are offered?
+

There are multiple payment options for this course. The first way is to pay upfront, online. This option also provides the largest savings.

We offer both installment and financing options. To find out if you qualify for either of these payment options, fill out the enrollment form to be directed to the payment page. From there, you can click on the “Get Qualified” link to see what options are available.

Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?
+

We are confident in the quality of our learning experience, having supported thousands of learners and received hundreds of 5-star reviews. Because we believe so strongly in the value and impact of our course, we offer a 7-day money-back guarantee from the start date. If the course isn’t the right fit for you, you can withdraw within the first week of your course and receive a full refund, no questions asked.

Will I receive credit for this course?
+

No, this is a noncredit course. As such, it is not eligible for financial aid. However, many employers offer reimbursement for continuing education, so check with your human resources department to determine your eligibility.

The certificate
Will I earn a certificate?
+

Yes, you will earn a university-issued certificate of completion that verifies your knowledge and hands-on experience in AI Automation. This prestigious credential will enhance your resume, making you more attractive to potential employers. It can also be showcased on LinkedIn to highlight your proficiency in AI technologies, setting you apart in a competitive job market. Earning this certificate of completion demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, significantly boosting your career advancement opportunities.

What do I need to do to pass the course?
+

To receive a university-issued certificate of completion, you must achieve at least 70% on the module assessments and successfully complete all of the playbook assignments.

Will I have a completed portfolio at the end of the course?
+

The course and the Playbook projects will provide you with content to create a portfolio, but you are responsible for creating a portfolio on the platform of your choice.

Who is Ziplines Education?
+

Ziplines Education is a market-driven education company based in Silicon Valley, CA. Leading universities collaborate with Ziplines Education to offer innovative and highly rated certificate courses that help adult learners and working professionals build work-ready digital skills and earn industry-recognized credentials.

Next class starts November 2

Five weeks from now, your busywork could run itself