AI Certifications Are Everywhere - Here's How to Spot the One That Builds Skills

A developer compared three AI certification programs—Simplilearn, Great Learning, and IIT Kharagpur's Applied AI & ML EPGC—and chose IIT Kharagpur's 8-month live program for its comprehensive curriculum covering ML, Deep Learning, NLP, GenAI, Agentic AI, RAG, and MLOps, delivered entirely by IIT KGP's AI department with real-world projects.

I decided to take an online AI and ML post-graduation course during my graduation from Amity. When I started comparing some programmes, three names stood out: IIT Kharagpur's Applied AI & ML EPGC, Simplilearn, and Great Learning. Simplilearn - Modular, tool-focused Generative AI programs like the Applied GenAI program with Microsoft Azure offering flexible, business-relevant projects across separate short courses. Great Learning - University-backed PG programs with UT Austin McCombs, Johns Hopkins, etc. covering Python through Generative AI with mentorship, though depth varies by track. IIT Kharagpur's Applied AI & ML EPGC - An 8-month, 100% live programme run entirely by IIT KGP's own AI department, covering ML, Deep Learning, NLP, GenAI, Agentic AI, RAG, and MLOps with 6 projects and a capstone. I went for IIT KGP Online… After comparing the real-life experiences and curriculum, for me, what makes this programme different is that it isn't a patchwork of borrowed modules; it's a complete 8-month journey designed and delivered by IIT KGP's own AI department, with every concept taught alongside real-world deployment.