Fast.ai and Andrew Ng's courses are the two most recommended free starting points for learning to build AI, and the good news is that neither is a wrong choice. They differ mainly in teaching philosophy - and the better one for you depends on how you learn.
Andrew Ng: bottom-up
Ng's courses build from fundamentals upward - concepts, maths intuition, then application. If you like understanding why something works before using it, and you are comfortable with a steadier, theory-first pace, this suits you. It also gives strong foundations for the maths behind AI.
Fast.ai: top-down
Fast.ai flips it: you build a working model in the first lesson, then peel back layers to understand it. If you learn by doing and lose motivation without early wins, this is your match. It fits the hands-on projects over theory camp.
How to actually choose
- Prefer solid theory before practice → Andrew Ng
- Prefer building first, theory later → Fast.ai
- Not sure → try the first lesson of each; you will feel it quickly
Many people do both eventually. There is no rule against it.
What neither gives you
Both teach skills brilliantly but neither hands you a widely recognised credential or the applied-business framing. If you need that side, pair your learning with a course like Strategic Application of AI in Business. We weigh credentials in do online AI certifications help you get hired.
The bottom line
Pick Fast.ai if you learn by building and Andrew Ng if you learn by understanding first - both are excellent and free. Try a lesson of each and commit to one. Next: best free AI courses for beginners.