EntryAI FAMILY · TRACK 06

AI
Foundations.

Core AI/ML concepts, terminology, and real-world applications. The right starting point before any specialization — whether you're heading into GenAI, data science, or AI product roles.

⚠ Foundation-only certs pay $52K–$75K. Stack with Generative AI or Data Science for significantly higher earning potential.

~3 months

Duration

Courses

Projects

~$270 total

Cert Cost

// CERT STACK · IN ORDER

01

EXIN Artificial Intelligence Essentials

EXIN~$175 exam3–4 weeks

Vendor-neutral AI literacy cert. Covers AI concepts, ethics, business applications. Good first credential for non-technical roles moving into AI.

02

Google Machine Learning Crash Course

Google Developers (Free)Free2–3 weeks

Hands-on intro to ML with TensorFlow. Regression, classification, neural networks. Best free technical AI intro available.

03

OCI AI Foundations Associate

✦ HIREABLE HERE

Oracle MyLearnFree (study) · ~$95 exam4–6 weeks

Hireable checkpoint. Validates cloud AI knowledge. Covers ML concepts, OCI AI services, responsible AI. Prep materials free from Oracle.

04

IBM AI Foundations for Business

Coursera / IBM (Free audit)Free (audit)2–3 weeks

Business-focused AI literacy. Useful if moving into a PM, analyst, or business-side AI role rather than engineering.

// SALARY RANGES · 2025–2026

$52K – $75K

AI/Data Associate

Foundation cert only, 0–1 yr

$75K – $100K

ML Engineer (entry)

OCI + projects, 1–2 yrs

$80K – $110K

AI Analyst

Business + technical AI, 2–3 yrs

$100K – $140K

ML Engineer (mid)

Production models, 3–5 yrs

Aggregated from Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Payscale, ZipRecruiter. Foundation certs alone won't maximize earnings — continue to Generative AI or Data Science track.

// FREE RESOURCES

Google ML Crash Course (Free)Google Developers ↗Oracle MyLearn — OCI AI FoundationsOracle ↗Fast.ai — Practical Deep LearningFast.ai ↗Kaggle ML Courses (Free)Kaggle ↗3Blue1Brown — Neural NetworksYouTube ↗

→ NEXT STEP

Continue to Generative AI

Stack OCI GenAI Pro on top of this and jump to $95K–$130K roles.

Generative AI track →

// KNOWLEDGE CHECK

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