Low-Cost Ways to Learn AI in South Africa

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the fastest-growing fields globally, with job opportunities expected to grow by 36% between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In South Africa, there is also growing demand for AI skills as more local businesses adopt digital solutions. However, traditional education methods, like university degrees, can be costly and take a long time to complete. This makes it difficult for many people to access quality AI education.

Luckily, affordable options are readily available. Here’s how you can learn AI without spending too much money.

Low-Cost Ways to Learn AI

1. Free Online Courses and Tutorials

Free online courses make AI learning accessible to everyone. Platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Google’s AI education offer top-quality courses for beginners. Google’s “Machine Learning Crash Course” is entirely free and has been completed by thousands of learners worldwide.

Coursera provides courses from top institutions like Stanford and MIT, offering valuable insights without fees unless you require a certificate.

2. Affordable AI Bootcamps

AI bootcamps provide quick, practical training and are usually cheaper than traditional university courses. For instance, HyperionDev, a South African coding school, offers bootcamps in AI and machine learning, helping learners quickly gain job-ready skills.

3. Community Workshops and Meetups

Local community workshops and meetups are low-cost opportunities to learn AI and network with professionals. Events such as AI Expo Africa and Data Science Cape Town often feature experts sharing knowledge through talks and hands-on sessions.

AI Expo Africa attracted over 2,000 delegates in its 2022 event, showcasing practical AI applications relevant to South Africa’s market.

4. Self-Study with Open Source Tools

Self-study is a completely free way to learn AI using numerous resources available online. You can start with programming languages crucial for AI, like Python, through free platforms such as Codecademy or Khan Academy.

Additionally, widely used open-source AI tools like TensorFlow and PyTorch offer comprehensive tutorials, helping thousands of learners build real-world AI projects.

5. AI Certification from Online Platforms

Affordable certifications are available on platforms like Udemy, often priced as low as R200 during promotions. Certifications from Udemy have helped many South Africans, including students and career changers, demonstrate their AI knowledge to employers.

6. Learn AI at South African Universities Online

Local universities offer affordable, short online courses focused on AI and data science. Institutions like the University of Cape Town (UCT), through platforms like GetSmarter, provides short, practical courses tailored to working professionals.

In 2022, GetSmarter reported that their UCT AI course enrollment had increased by over 30%, reflecting growing local interest in affordable AI education.

7. Leverage YouTube and Online Tutorials

YouTube provides countless free AI tutorials. Channels like “freeCodeCamp,” “Edureka,” and “Siraj Raval” offer high-quality educational videos, often viewed millions of times, providing a clear indication of their value to learners worldwide.

Learning AI in South Africa doesn’t have to be costly. There are free online courses, affordable bootcamps, community events, and university-supported short courses everywhere.

These affordable learning opportunities have already helped thousands of South Africans enter promising AI careers, proving that there truly is no excuse to not learn.