Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about IHA AI Academy certification programs, pricing, tracks, and career impact.
Quick Answers
The four questions we hear most often.
Is it really free?
Yes. Tier 1 is completely free.
How long does it take?
6-8 hours, self-paced.
Do I need tech skills?
No technical background required.
Is the cert recognized?
Verified credentials with employer-accessible verification.
About the Course & Content
Learn what the program includes, how it works, and what makes it different.
About the Course
Is the AI Foundations course really free?
Yes. The complete 5-module certification — including all lessons, quizzes, portfolio exercises, the final assessment, and the verified certificate — is free. No credit card required. No trial period. No hidden fees.
How long does the course take?
Approximately 6-8 hours total, self-paced. Most students complete it in 1-3 weeks, spending a few sessions per week. You can go faster or slower — your progress is saved.
Do I need any technical background?
No. The course is designed for working professionals regardless of technical background. No coding, no engineering knowledge, no prior AI experience required. If you can write an email, you can complete this course.
Which AI tools do I need?
You'll need access to at least one AI tool: Claude (claude.ai), ChatGPT (chat.openai.com), or Google Gemini (gemini.google.com). All have free tiers that work for the course. We recommend Claude, but the frameworks work with any major AI tool.
What do I get when I complete the course?
A verified IHA AI Foundations Certificate (Tier I), a digital badge for LinkedIn, 5 professional portfolio pieces, a 90-day economic plan, and verified competencies in: Strategic Prompting, Professional Communication, AI-Enhanced Research, Content Creation, Decision Support, and AI Safety & Ethics.
Can employers verify my certificate?
Yes. Every certificate includes a unique verification number. Employers can visit ihaacademy.org/verify and enter the number to see your credential, demonstrated competencies, and (if you log it) your economic impact data.
About the Content
What's the difference between this and other AI courses?
Three things: (1) You create real work products, not worksheets — 5 portfolio pieces by the end. (2) Safety and ethics is a full module, not an afterthought. (3) You leave with a specific 90-day economic plan, not just general knowledge. The course is designed to change what you can do, not just what you know.
Is this just prompt engineering?
No. Prompt engineering is one skill among five. The course covers Strategic Prompting, Professional Communication, Research & Analysis, Content Creation, Decision Making, plus safety, bias awareness, and real-world application under pressure. The goal is comprehensive AI literacy for professional use.
How current is the content?
The curriculum includes current economic data (PwC 2025, McKinsey 2025), current AI tool guidance, and current best practices. The frameworks are designed to be durable — they work regardless of which specific AI tools or models are popular at any given time.
What if I already use AI regularly?
You'll likely move through Module 1 quickly. The real value for experienced users is in Modules 2-4: the systematic frameworks (ICCFI, Research Stack, Content System, Decision Framework, 5-Point Safety Framework) that turn ad-hoc AI use into a professional methodology. Module 4's safety training is valuable for everyone regardless of experience level.
About the Platform
How the learning experience works — devices, data, and your AI mentor.
Is there a mobile app?
The platform is web-based and mobile-responsive. You can complete the course on any device with a browser.
Can I download the course materials?
Each lesson includes downloadable resources (PDF format) — frameworks, templates, checklists, and reference guides. You can print these and use them alongside your AI tools daily.
What is Catalyst AI?
Catalyst is IHA's AI-powered learning mentor. It knows the curriculum, your progress, and your self-assessment data. It provides personalized guidance, answers questions in context, sends proactive support when you're stuck, and helps with portfolio exercises. Think of it as a teaching assistant that's always available and always knows where you are in the course.
Is my data private?
Yes. IHA does not sell personal data. Self-assessment information is used to personalize your learning experience and economic plan. Economic impact data you voluntarily log is displayed on your verification page only if you choose to share it. See our full privacy policy at ihaacademy.org/privacy.
Pricing, Tracks & Career Impact
Understand the investment, the credentials, and the career outcomes.
About Pricing & Advanced Tiers
Why is Tier 1 free if advanced tiers cost money?
We believe foundational AI literacy should be accessible to everyone. The free tier builds the base that makes advanced skills possible. Advanced tiers (Practitioner, Specialist, Architect, Executive Leader) go deeper into automation, custom tools, and domain-specific expertise — and their revenue funds the entire ecosystem, including free education for underserved communities.
How much do advanced tiers cost?
Tier 2 (AI Practitioner) pricing and details are available at ihaacademy.org/tier-2. Pricing for higher tiers will be announced as they launch. All pricing includes the Perpetual Engine commitment: 10% funds community AI education.
What is the Perpetual Engine?
10% of every paid enrollment goes directly to funding AI education for communities that can't afford it — workforce development participants, community college students, underserved professionals. It's not a charity add-on. It's the core business model: your career investment creates community return.
What tracks are available?
Four tracks, each progressing from Foundations through Executive Leadership: AI for Everyone (career professionals), AI for Entrepreneurs (business owners), AI for Corporate Teams (organizations), and AI for Government & Nonprofits (public sector). Your Foundations certificate is recognized across all four tracks.
About Certification & Career Impact
Is the IHA certificate recognized by employers?
IHA certificates are verified credentials with employer-accessible verification pages. While IHA is a newer institution, the certificate demonstrates specific, documented competencies — and the portfolio you build during the course provides tangible proof of capability that many employers value more than traditional credentials.
Will this help me get a job?
The course is designed to produce career results. You'll create portfolio pieces demonstrating AI capability, learn to frame AI skills on your resume and LinkedIn, and build the competencies employers are increasingly seeking. The 90-day economic plan includes job-seeker-specific targets and strategies.
Can I list this on my resume?
Yes. Add it to your Certifications or Professional Development section: "IHA AI Foundations Certificate, Institute for Human Advancement AI Academy, [year]." The course also provides specific resume bullet points and LinkedIn updates in Module 5.
For Teams & Organizations
Bring AI literacy to your entire organization.
Can my team or organization enroll?
Yes. For teams of 5+, we offer cohort enrollment with team progress dashboards. For larger organizations, we offer facilitated workshops and custom delivery. Contact us at teams@ihaacademy.org or visit ihaacademy.org/teams.
Do you offer corporate training?
Yes. IHA's "AI for Corporate Teams" track is designed for organizational AI transformation — from AI-Ready Employee through C-Suite Leadership. Custom delivery includes team dashboards, facilitator guides, and organizational impact measurement. Contact teams@ihaacademy.org for details.