Best Free Machine Learning Resources & Tutorials

There are plenty of professionals who are eager to learn machine learning (ML) but hesitate because of the perceived up-front costs. While most tech pros go from novice to expert through paid coursework, many people lay the groundwork for training through free resources.

Fortunately, it’s easy to find blog posts, news articles, and free video seminars and tutorials about artificial intelligence and, in particular, machine learning. Formal ML training typically requires payment, but many tools essential to ML, like Python, are free to use.

Read on to learn more about the different types of free resources and tutorials available to help you learn machine learning.

What is Machine Learning?

Machine learning (ML) is one of the best-known subcategories of artificial intelligence (AI). This complex and multidisciplinary field can require training in programming languages like Python, databases like MySQL, and natural language processing (NLP). Common careers that require machine learning skills include Machine Learning Engineers, Data Scientists, and Business Intelligence (BI) Analysts.

Machine learning is often associated with Python programming and data science. Supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning are the top three models of ML algorithms. Popular uses of ML in daily activities include voice recognition tools like Siri, recommendation lists from Amazon or Netflix, and user engagement icons on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. 

Read more about what machine learning is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Machine Learning?

Machine learning algorithms dominate today’s internet. Websites gather information based on everything you do online, from your search patterns to previous purchases, social media posts, and whether or not you abandon a product in a cart. As ML algorithms continue to influence our personal and professional lives, more and more businesses use them to streamline processes and determine customer and client journeys. The following are a few of the most popular machine learning applications.

• Social media - Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) was one of the first well-known companies to use ML to measure user activities. Examples of how they analyze statistical activity include their user engagement, chatbots, and content filtering features. Other top social media platforms using ML extensively include Twitter, Pinterest, and TikTok.

• Product Recommendations - If you’ve ever bought a product from Amazon or subscribed to a streaming service, you’ve probably seen the You May Like feature. Companies ranging from Apple to Netflix use machine learning algorithms to customize your experience.

• Natural Language Processing (NLP) involves text analytics and functions combined with machine learning. Analyzing text includes basic steps like identifying the language and more complex steps like syntax parsing and sentiment analysis. ML is essential to text analytics and NLP solutions.

On-Demand Seminars and Tutorials 

If you search for on-demand machine learning courses, you’ll find a host of options. But it’s important to note that most of these are not 100% free. Typically there are three kinds of on-demand courses:

• Free
• Fee-based
• Subscription-based

On-demand machine learning courses vary and include beginner, intermediate, and advanced training alternatives. However, no completely free courses are currently listed through Noble Desktop’s free search tool, Best Machine Learning Classes Online. Some require a small fee, others are subscription-based, and others cost more than $10,000.

The on-demand training model provides certain advantages but also a few drawbacks. While many students choose to study machine learning basics on-demand first, the need for formal instruction typically leads them to enroll in a classroom setting to move to the next level.

Other Free Resources

If you’re not in the position to enroll in a full-length machine learning bootcamp or certificate, check out other free online resources you can use to start learning. 

Many machine learning novices begin by studying the field within the larger context of artificial intelligence, Python data science, or a specific educational track like FinTech. For example, check out Noble Desktop’s Computer Science Blog or Python Blog. Here you’ll find tutorials like:

• Intro to Python Fundamentals
• Intro to SQL
• Exchanging Excel for Python

The Noble Learn Hub is another excellent resource. This repository of information includes posts on data science, data analytics, FinTech, and SQL, to name a few. Check the Coding link for more on Python programming, too.

Whether you want to study machine learning to become a Natural Language Processing (NLP) Specialist or as part of a broader data science curriculum, free resources offer a great way to start learning. At a minimum, consider watching several videos and reading pertinent articles as you plan your next move in this fast-growing field.

Learn Machine Learning with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers a variety of bootcamps and certificates that feature machine learning, both in-person and live online via teleconferencing. Some include Python as a focus, others include machine learning as part of a broader data science curriculum, and others cover ML in a FinTech curriculum. All bootcamps and certificate programs feature small class sizes to maximize personal attention from expert instructors.

• Data Science Certificate - Noble’s Data Science Certificate program teaches participants data science fundamentals before advancing through machine learning, Python for automation, and Structured Query Language (SQL). This immersive certificate is open to beginners; you can retake it for up to one year at no additional charge.

• Python Machine Learning Bootcamp - Programmers already comfortable with Python and its data science libraries can get their machine learning training as part of the Python Machine Learning Bootcamp. Attendees can save by taking this shorter course as part of the Data Science Certificate program.

• Python Data Science & Machine Learning Bootcamp - This comprehensive bootcamp combines the same ML and Python training modules as the Data Science Certificate but does not include the Structured Query Language (SQL) bootcamp. It’s open to beginners and designed to prepare students for entry-level Python engineering or data science positions. 

For more information on Noble Desktop’s data science classes, including machine learning, check out all their full-time and part-time data science programs.

Key Insights

• Machine learning, or ML, is one of the best-known subcategories of artificial intelligence (AI) and one of the hottest fields in today’s business world.
• Top ML positions include:
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Business Intelligence (BI) Developer
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) Scientist
• Database Engineer
• Data Scientist
• Data Architect
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Robotics Engineer
• Machine learning algorithms dominate the internet, and more and more businesses use them to streamline and improve processes.
• Many top industries like banking, healthcare, agriculture, and cybersecurity use machine learning technologies on a daily basis.
• Top skills for machine learning professionals include:
• Python
• SQL
• NumPy
• Pandas
• Scikit-learn
• Tableau
• You can get good information about ML through free resources before committing to a full-length course.
• Get comprehensive machine learning training through an in-person or live online bootcamp or certificate program from Noble Desktop.