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Google AI Essentials
By Google (on Coursera). Visit Google AI Essentials
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
A short self-paced course from Google, taught on Coursera, on using generative AI tools at work and school. Five modules in under five hours cover what AI is, prompting, using AI for brainstorming and drafting, and using AI responsibly. Learners watch videos and try hands-on activities with AI tools, then earn a certificate. It is pitched at adults with no experience, so it fits an older teen who wants a quick, practical start.
Our take: A fine quick primer for a teen 16 or older who wants to use AI tools well; free AI-literacy courses cover similar ground for younger kids.
| Ages it suits | about 13+ (built for adults) |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | Runs on Coursera, whose terms bar anyone under 13. (terms) |
| Price | Paid. $49 USD a month on Coursera in the US and Canada after a 7-day free trial; may cost less in other countries (Oct 2026). |
| Works on | Web, iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Account | The child's own account |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | Yes |
| The AI in it | Teaches how to use generative AI tools; learners practice with AI tools in hands-on activities. |
What's good
- Short and beginner-friendly
- Covers responsible use, not just tricks
- Certificate from Google
Watch for
- Under 13 not allowed
- Monthly subscription keeps billing until cancelled
- Focused on workplace tasks like email
- Practice needs AI tools with their own age rules
Data and privacy
Coursera's privacy notice applies: no data knowingly collected from under-13s, and learner data used for marketing and targeted ads. AI tools used in the activities have their own terms. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
No independent study found. The maker's own claims only: Google cites a figure that 67% of workers using generative AI estimate it saves them 2 or more hours a week.
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Where these facts come from
- https://grow.google/ai-essentials/
- https://www.coursera.org/about/terms
- https://www.coursera.org/about/privacy
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.