You Can Explore AI for Free — Here's How I Got Started

AI isn’t just some futuristic buzzword anymore — it’s literally everywhere now. From Siri and Alexa to Netflix suggestions and smart chatbots, AI is baked into so many things we use daily. But what really surprised me recently is how easy it is to actually use AI for yourself — and for free.

Whether you're just curious or want to develop skills for the future, there are tons of free AI tools out there to experiment with. Here are a few I’ve tried or bookmarked:

• ChatGPT – Great for asking questions, generating ideas, writing, or even just having a conversation.

• Google Colab – Lets you run code in the cloud and experiment with machine learning models, even if you don’t have a powerful computer.

• RunwayML – Amazing if you’re into creative stuff like AI-generated video, images, or sound.

• Coursera & edX – Offer beginner-friendly AI courses from top universities, and many of them are completely free if you choose the "audit" option.

• Cortico Health – This one’s a bit different. It’s a free AI medical tool that helps you check symptoms privately and understand possible health issues without needing an account or login. Super helpful if you’re unsure about what’s going on with your health and want clarity before seeing a doctor.

I think there’s this misconception that AI is either too advanced or too expensive to try out — but honestly, that’s not the case anymore. You can start exploring it today without spending anything.

Curious — has anyone else here used any cool free AI tools? Or found one that really surprised you with how helpful or creative it was?