AI 101
Fundamentals
Start your AI journey with essential tools, basic prompt engineering, and foundational concepts. Now updated for 2026 โ including reasoning / Thinking models and what the shift toward AGI means for how you work.
Last updated March 2026
Essential AI Tools
Your beginner's starter kit: Get familiar with these tools, download the mobile apps, and create free accounts. Start with 2-3 tools that match your work needs.
Your 3-Step Action Plan:
- Get familiar: Click each tool below to visit their website and understand what they do
- Download mobile apps: Install the apps on your phone for on-the-go access
- Create free accounts: Sign up for 2-3 tools that match your role (start with ChatGPT or Gemini)
๐ค AI Assistants & Chatbots
These tools now support agent-style workflows: multi-step tasks, web search, and file analysis. ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can research, summarize, and iterate for you.
๐ AI Search & Research
โ๏ธ Writing & Content Creation
๐จ Image Generation
Chat Models vs Reasoning Models
One of the most important things to understand in 2026: not all AI models think the same way. Knowing which to use saves you time and gets better results.
Chat Models
ChatGPT (standard), Claude Sonnet, Gemini
Optimized for fast, conversational back-and-forth. Great for drafting, brainstorming, quick summaries, and iterating on copy.
- โ Fast responses
- โ Great for iteration
- โ Best for creative & writing tasks
- โ Usually free tier available
Reasoning / Thinking Models
ChatGPT Thinking mode, Claude extended thinking
Think step-by-step before answering. Take longer but handle complex analysis, logic, and math much more accurately.
- โ Better for complex analysis
- โ Fewer logic errors
- โ Best for code review, math, decisions
- โ Worth the wait for high-stakes tasks
Quick Reference: Which to Use?
| Task | Chat Model | Reasoning Model |
|---|---|---|
| Draft an email | โ Best | Overkill |
| Complex budget model / forecast | May make errors | โ Best |
| Brainstorm campaign ideas | โ Best | Slow for this |
| Debug code / logic | OK | โ Much better |
| Rewrite / shorten copy | โ Best | Not needed |
| Multi-step analysis with stakes | Risk of errors | โ Best |
Read the full reasoning model guide โ
Current model names (March 2026): ChatGPT โ GPT-5.4 Thinking (reasoning) / GPT-5.3 Instant (fast chat) ยท Claude โ Opus 4.6 with extended thinking / Sonnet 4.6 (fast) ยท Gemini โ 2.0 Flash (standard). Vendors rename tiers regularly; the concepts above stay the same.
Try your first prompt
Copy the prompt below, paste it into ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, and replace [TOPIC] with anything you want to learn. Great way to see how AI explains things clearly.
Explain like I'm new
Learning Videos
Curated video tutorials from official sources: Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic. No influencer content.
Introduction to Generative AI
Official Google Cloud course on generative AI fundamentals, how it works, and applications.
Introduction to Large Language Models
Official Google Cloud course explaining what LLMs are and how they're transforming technology.
Introduction to Responsible AI
Official Google Cloud course on ethical AI principles, bias mitigation, and trustworthy AI systems.
Image Generation for Marketing
Google Cloud's official course on using AI image generation to create compelling marketing visuals and campaigns.
Transformer Models for Marketing
Learn how BERT and transformer models power advanced marketing content creation and campaign optimization.
Attention Mechanisms for Marketing
Google Cloud's official course on how attention mechanisms improve AI-powered marketing content and targeting.
Transformer Models for Data Analytics
Google Cloud's official course on transformer architecture and how it powers modern AI analytics workflows.
Attention Mechanisms for Analytics
Learn how attention mechanisms enhance AI models for business intelligence and data analysis.
Image Generation for Analytics Visualization
Google Cloud's official course on using AI-generated visuals to enhance data presentation and reporting.
Image Generation for Content Creators
Google Cloud's official course on using AI image generation to enhance visual content and marketing materials.
BERT Models for Text Generation
Learn how BERT and transformer models power advanced text generation for copywriting and content creation.
Attention Mechanisms for Writing
Google Cloud's official course on how attention mechanisms improve AI writing quality and coherence.
Responsible AI for Product Development
Google Cloud's official course on ethical AI principles and trustworthy product design practices.
AI Prototyping for Product Teams
Learn how AI image and content generation accelerates product prototyping and design iteration.
Attention Mechanisms for Product AI
Google Cloud's official course on attention mechanisms and how they improve AI product capabilities.
Transformer Models for Data Science
Google Cloud's official course on transformer architecture and BERT models for advanced machine learning workflows.
Attention Mechanisms for Machine Learning
Learn how attention mechanisms improve neural network performance for data science and ML applications.
Responsible AI for Data Scientists
Google Cloud's official course on ethical AI principles, bias mitigation, and trustworthy ML models for data science.
AI Content Generation for Email
Google Cloud's official course on using AI image and text generation to enhance email marketing campaigns.
BERT Models for Email Personalization
Learn how transformer models like BERT enable advanced personalization and automation in email marketing.
Attention Mechanisms for Email AI
Google Cloud's official course on how attention mechanisms improve AI-driven email content and targeting.
AI Visualization for Customer Journeys
Google Cloud's official course on using AI-generated visuals to map and enhance customer experience flows.
Transformer Models for CX Analysis
Learn how BERT and transformer models analyze customer touchpoints and optimize experience journeys.
Attention Mechanisms for Journey Mapping
Google Cloud's official course on how attention mechanisms improve AI-powered customer journey analysis and optimization.
AI Data Visualization for Marketing
Google Cloud's official course on using AI-generated visuals to enhance marketing database segmentation and reporting.
BERT Models for Audience Segmentation
Learn how transformer models like BERT enable advanced audience creation and segmentation in database marketing.
Attention Mechanisms for Marketing AI
Google Cloud's official course on how attention mechanisms improve AI-driven audience analysis and cross-channel marketing.
Beginner Certifications
Foundational certifications from top institutions and companies. Build credentials while you learn.
Common Questions
Ready for Advanced Skills?
Once you've mastered the fundamentals, move on to AI 201 for advanced techniques, automation, and building AI-powered applications.