The University of South Florida (USF) has introduced a free online microcourse aimed at helping individuals develop skills in artificial intelligence, regardless of their technical background. The course, “AI Whisperer: A Microcourse in Crafting Prompts for Generative AI,” is designed to provide practical and flexible learning opportunities for professionals, educators, and the general public.
Participants will learn how to choose appropriate AI tools, create effective prompts, and produce high-quality outputs suitable for reports, presentations, and visual content. The program is self-paced and can be completed online within three to four hours. There is also an option to earn a digital badge upon completion for a fee of $39. Enrollment remains open until February 28, 2026.
Christine Brown, associate vice president of USF Innovative Education, said: “The AI Whisperer microcourse was developed as a direct result of feedback from the community. Our prior microcourses were very popular and post-session feedback showed that participants craved practical, hands-on experience with prompting.”
Faculty members who led the development noted that many beginners struggle with creating prompts for AI systems. John Licato, associate professor in the USF Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing explained: “We heard from learners across industries and backgrounds that they wanted more applied, step-by-step strategies for working with AI tools. We created the AI Whisperer microcourse to meet that need by focusing on real-world practice and helping participants gain the confidence to design effective prompts that generate quality results.”
USF has also re-released another course titled “GenAI in Action: Impact and Possibilities.” This program initially launched in 2023 with over 12,000 participants worldwide. After an updated version attracted thousands earlier this year, it now features additional assessments, increased flexibility in progression through materials, and curated articles covering foundational knowledge about generative AI’s role across disciplines such as writing, research, teaching and learning.
This course takes approximately six hours to complete online at one’s own pace. It is available free until January 11, 2026; participants may opt to purchase a digital badge upon completion.
Both courses were developed by USF Innovative Education in partnership with faculty from the USF College of Education and the recently established Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing—the first named college nationally focused on both fields together.
Brown added: “These microcourses showcase the expertise of our faculty while giving individuals practical, flexible ways to build confidence with artificial intelligence.”
Registration details for these offerings are provided through the USF Office of Microcredentials.
