OpenAI Academy: A Fantastic Free Resource for Learning AI

I get a lot of questions about resources for learning generative AI. Although there’s no shortage of AI classes, tutorials and YouTube videos, it’s hard to sort through all of the available resources to find something that really helps.

What is OpenAI Academy?

One resource that has received surprisingly little attention is OpenAI’s Academy. Here’s how OpenAI (the creators of ChatGPT) describes OpenAI Academy:

OpenAI Academy is a free, publicly accessible learning hub built to boost AI literacy and give anyone, including educators, the practical skills to use artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively. The platform blends expert‑led workshops, on‑demand videos, and community discussions that cover everything from AI fundamentals to advanced integration techniques for developers. Its expanding library of resources and live events is designed for a broad audience - teachers, students, nonprofit leaders, small‑business owners, and more - so you can explore real‑world classroom use cases, stay current on new OpenAI products, and connect with peers who are on the same journey. (source: OpenAI)

Live Events and Real-Time Learning

OpenAI Academy is a blend of events (livestreams) and tutorials. The livestream events cover a wide range of topics. Here’s a sample of upcoming events:

• Introduction to ChatGPT (May 22 and June 4)

• Writing in the Age of AI: What Faculty Need to Know (May 22)

• AI in Action: Practical Uses for Work, Learning, and Life (May 29)

• Conversational AI for Business Automation (June 3)

Past events include:

• Getting Started with AI for Nonprofits

• Build Your Own ChatGPT: Tips & Tricks for Custom GPTs

• AI for Older Adults: Introduction to AI

The offerings seem a little random and they’re true live events, as far as I can tell, there are no recordings available. But, it’s worthwhile to periodically check for upcoming events to see if anything is of interest. I just registered for Writing in the Age of AI. Assuming nothing comes up that prevents my attendance, I’ll report back to let you know how it went.

Comprehensive Tutorial Collections

While the live events look interesting, the real gold is in the tutorial videos. The tutorials are organized into Collections. The current collections are:

• OpenAI for Business

• ChatGPT on Campus

• ChatGPT at Work

• Sora Tutorials

• AI for K-12 Educators, and

• Developer Build Hours

Educators should not dismiss the non-education collections. OpenAI for Business looks especially interesting with tutorials on projects, reasoning models, prompt engineering, among others.

Most tutorials are 5 to 10 minutes long, although some are longer. They’re focused and largely effective. The tutorials I’ve checked out are screen recordings with voice over and for some, a talking head. They’re nothing fancy, but they do the job. I’ve been happy with the tutorials I’ve watched.

Limitations and Considerations

While OpenAI Academy offers tremendous value, it does have some limitations. The site's organization can feel somewhat scattered despite its collections - there's no clear progression or learning pathway. Additionally, the tutorials are purely passive video content without interactive elements. However, given that this is a free resource providing high-quality, authoritative content directly from OpenAI, these minor drawbacks are easy to overlook.

Making the Most of OpenAI Academy

Although OpenAI Academy seems to be directed at educators, I wouldn’t hesitate to point interested students to the tutorials. Most students would find the ChatGPT on Campus and ChatGPT at Work collections to have some useful tutorials. Or you might want to curate the content a bit and direct students to some specific videos depending on the class and the students. For example, I might send MBA students to the OpenAI for Business collection, but it wouldn’t be suitable for students in a first-year seminar.

For faculty and staff looking to build their AI literacy, OpenAI Academy represents an excellent starting point. The combination of structured tutorials and live events, coupled with content that spans both basic and advanced topics, makes it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand and effectively use AI in education. While not perfect, it's certainly worth adding to your professional development toolkit.

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Want to continue this conversation? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you're using AI to develop critical thinking skills in your courses. Drop me a line at Craig@AIGoesToCollege.com. Be sure to check out the AI Goes to College podcast, which I co-host with Dr. Robert E. Crossler. It’s available at https://www.aigoestocollege.com/follow.

Looking for practical guidance on AI in higher education? I offer engaging workshops and talks—both remotely and in person—on using AI to enhance learning while preserving academic integrity. Email me to discuss bringing these insights to your institution, or feel free to share my contact information with your professional development team.