AI for Work and Life: Why thousands are registering for UNF’s free certificate program
When Greg Sheppard learned that the University of North Florida launched its AI for Work and Life certificate program earlier this fall, he was quick to sign up.
An international supply chain IT program manager with more than 25 years of experience, Sheppard saw the free, online certificate as an opportunity to sharpen his skills, stay competitive in the marketplace and continue his commitment to lifelong learning.
Impressed by the program, which he completed in November and earned a certificate, he recommended it to about 10 of his colleagues and family members.
“Enrolling in this certificate program is a low-risk, high-reward move,” Sheppard said. “It boosts your skills overnight, and future-proofs you against the AI wave.”
Sheppard and his connections aren't alone. More than 40,000 people have registered for the free eight-week, non-credit certificate program offered online, with more than 10,000 certificates awarded to date.
Sponsored by NLP Logix, the self-paced program was designed to help learners build confidence and real-world skills using generative AI.
Students, CEOs and professionals from fields as varied as finance, health, technology and transportation are participating in the program. They represent more than 12,000 businesses, from startups to Fortune 500 companies throughout Northeast Florida.
Some of those who enrolled are learning how to apply AI at work, while others want to understand how to use AI at home or in their community service. Nearly 40% of registrants are members of Generation X, with millennials close behind at 36%, demonstrating the program’s broad appeal across age groups.
Demystifying technology and empowering learners
The program covers various AI-related topics from prompt engineering to ethical use of AI in the workplace and beyond. Early modules establish a strong conceptual base in AI and generative AI, demystifying the technology and empowering learners to see beyond the hype. Participants explore high-impact AI tools to boost productivity and creativity and the art and science of prompting.
Participants also examine how AI is transforming industries, including the potential to reduce costs, improve service access and drive innovation. Finally, they learn about ethical and governance challenges as AI rapidly advances.
Those who complete the program by Dec. 31, 2025, will earn the certificate for free. After that date, the certificate will cost $249, though the modules will remain accessible for free on YouTube.
Offering the certificate at no cost aligns with UNF’s mission to expand access to lifelong learning and equip learners everywhere for a rapidly changing workforce, said Jessica Murray, director of professional and lifelong learning at UNF.
“As AI continues to transform nearly every sector, providing an accessible entry point ensures that learning about AI is not limited to those with technical backgrounds or financial means,” said Murray.
Using AI to help serve the community
As the chief of Disabled Services and ADA coordinator for the City of Jacksonville, Kara Tucker regularly reads up on the best ways to serve the community.
When she heard about the program, the two-time UNF alumna, who earned a bachelor's in sociology (2006) and a master's in rehabilitation counseling (2007), was quick to sign up.
"I wanted to see how AI can help individuals with disabilities and how it can interact with different software and executive function," Tucker said.
For Tucker, the new certificate program came at a great time, since many people are trying to figure out the best way to incorporate it into their lives. She believes it will make her more efficient, especially now that she has learned more about prompts and about AI's limitations.
"When using AI, you still need the human aspect of it because the computer doesn't have empathy," she said.
For Sheppard, the long-time IT professional, AI for Work and Life helped in areas he didn't have as much experience. For instance, he uses AI for analytics, but he wasn't aware of its graphic design applications.
“Equally enlightening was the module on AI risk management," Sheppard said. “While we constantly monitor risks as project managers, I hadn’t considered monitoring the risks of the AI toolset itself. That perspective was very insightful.”
Learn more about the various AI courses and certificates offered at UNF.