2023 transformed my LinkedIn feed into a bustling hub of AI-related content — a flood of quick guides for perfecting Midjourney prompts or leveraging ChatGPT for UX interview questions. As a designer delving deeper into AI, I found these pieces intriguing yet insufficient. They felt like mere appetizers, failing to satiate my hunger for a comprehensive understanding the magic behind AI’s curtain.Don’t get me wrong, these bite-sized insights have their charm and usefulness, but there’s a gap between these glimpses and the deeper understanding needed for meaningful, professional applications of AI.So, like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, I found myself on a YouTube adventure, seeking to unravel the mysteries of AI and gain a competitive edge. But after navigating through a maze of generic content and how-to’s, I realized I was asking the wrong questions. Instead of limiting myself to “how to use AI as a designer” or the basic “what is AI and how does it work”, I pivoted to exploring the ecosystems enabling AI and the tools used by leading tech giants.Below is a compilation of resources that actually deepened my understanding of AI:1. Harvard CS50Imagine this: a Harvard lecture hall experience from the comfort of your own home — for free! That’s Harvard’s CS50 course available through EdX. As someone who’s worked adjacent to computer science for many years but never formally studied it, this course was a wonderful debrief on the basics. This class is certainly the scenic route to understanding AI, but the fundamentals taught in this class have proven extremely useful in building mental models of more relevant technology. Plus, this class cuts through the digital content noise as an actual Harvard lecture series recorded to be shared online. The lectures are engaging, lively, and fun to follow. EdX also offers professional or verified certificate options for those looking to spruce up their profile.2. The Worlds I see, Fei Fei LiFor a deeper, more nuanced understanding of AI, The Worlds I See by Fei Fei Li is a must-read. This book doesn’t offer a how-to guide on the latest AI tools; instead, it provides an insightful look into the academic origins and foundational theories of AI, interwoven with Fei Fei Li’s personal journey as an immigrant and a pioneering scientist. It’s a unique blend of technology and narrative that offers a holistic view of AI’s origin and development.3. Google Cloud Skills Boost: Introduction to Generative AINow for some practical, application-focused learning, Google Cloud Skills Boost offers a range of courses, including an ‘Introduction to Generative AI’. This course helps demystify the buzzwords and concepts you’ve likely heard but might not fully understand. Google also offers skill badges to share on your LinkedIn so you can prove you’re studying up!4. AWS Skill Builder: Foundations of Prompt EngineeringAmazon’s AWS Skill Builder introduces the intricate world of prompt engineering, a skill that’s becoming increasingly important in the AI field. The course begins with basic prompt structures and gradually delves into more advanced techniques. While my personal use may only extend to the basics, I certainly gained a wider understanding of the industry and why specialized prompt engineers are so highly valued. If prompt engineering isn’t your jam, AWS Skill Builder and AWS Educate offer a variety of other training options, such as the ‘Generative AI Learning Plan for Decision Makers’ and ‘Introduction to Amazon CodeWhisperer’, part of their initiative to provide free AI training.5. Experiment!Perhaps one of the most effective ways to understand AI is through direct experimentation with various tools and platforms. Plus, it’s fun to play in a new sandbox! In terms of reliability and quality of output, my top choices so far are (unsurprisingly) Adobe’s Firefly for creative image generation, Midjourney for realistic images, and ChatGPT for brainstorming and text generation.This list is of course just a starting point, reflecting my personal journey in navigating the evolving landscape of AI. Let me know in the comments what you have found helpful in your own AI explorations!Recourses linked in this article:Harvard CS50, EdXThe Worlds I See, Fei Fei LiGoogle’s Introduction to Generative AIAmazon’s Foundations of Prompt EngineeringAmazon’s initiative to provide free AI skills training