Microsoft is expanding its educational offerings for 2026 by providing free AI courses on Copilot, Foundry, and AI agents through Microsoft Learn. While the courses are free, certification exams start at $99, with updates to the AI-901 exam and AI Skills Navigator confirmed as of October 17, 2026.
NVIDIA's Deep Learning Institute has launched 52 AI courses for 2026, with 11 available at no cost. The remaining courses cover specialized topics like computer vision and reinforcement learning, with certification exams ranging from $125 to $500. These programs are noted for their high industry regard.
In the open-source and specialized training sector, DeepLearning.AI lists 131 courses and Hugging Face offers 12. Both platforms provide free video content, but access to quizzes and certificates requires a Pro subscription at $25 per month. These details were verified on October 17, 2026.
Strategic partnerships are reshaping cloud infrastructure, as Snowflake and Orange Business plan to operate a sovereign AI Data Cloud in France. This joint venture, involving Capgemini and Orange, will run on the Bleu infrastructure to ensure EU data residency and local governance, though no pricing or availability date has been announced.
Snowflake is also integrating Google's Gemini 4 Argon into its Cortex AI platform in public preview. Initially available for AI Functions, features like CoWork and Agents are pending a cross-region rollout. This integration allows enterprises to run reasoning and multimodal tasks directly where their data resides.
Despite new product launches, Workday faces scrutiny over its AI revenue trajectory. The company introduced the Sana experience and Trusted Agent Platform upgrades, with about 25% of core customers adopting at least one AI offering. However, analysts warn that revenue growth from these products may lag expectations, potentially altering investor views on Workday's AI strategy.
Financial institutions are actively managing AI risks following a report from the Financial Stability Board. The report recommends measuring results and assigning accountability, noting that while AI improves fraud detection, expanded access permissions can increase risks. One bank reported that a fraud agent reduced losses by over 20% in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025.
Security concerns remain high, with AI-related scams costing Americans nearly $900 million in 2025, according to the FBI. Extortion was the most reported cybercrime with roughly 89,000 complaints. Experts attribute the rise to AI-generated phishing emails that include personal details, recommending multi-factor authentication and long passwords for protection.
Corporate leadership is responding to market pressures regarding AI investment. Ruth Porat, Alphabet and Google's chief investment officer, addressed warnings about capital destruction, stating that Alphabet can afford long-term AI bets. She emphasized that companies building differentiated experiences through AI will win, highlighting innovation as critical to avoiding competitive disadvantages.
Media publishers are adopting a nuanced approach to AI, blocking training bots from specific companies while embracing search tools. A survey of 100 publishers found that 60% are blocking AI training bots and 70% use AI for search. This selective blocking indicates publishers are becoming more aware of AI risks and are taking targeted steps to mitigate them.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft offers free AI courses on Copilot and Foundry for 2026, with certification exams starting at $99.
- NVIDIA DLI provides 52 AI courses, 11 of which are free, with exams ranging from $125 to $500.
- DeepLearning.AI and Hugging Face offer free videos but charge $25/month for certificates and quizzes.
- Snowflake and Orange Business will launch a sovereign AI Data Cloud in France on the Bleu infrastructure.
- Snowflake integrated Gemini 4 Argon into Cortex AI for public preview, focusing on AI Functions.
- AI scams cost Americans nearly $900 million in 2025, with extortion being the most reported crime.
- Workday launched AI products like Sana, but analysts worry revenue growth may be slower than expected.
- The FSB report advises financial institutions to assign accountability for AI risks, noting a 20% fraud reduction in one bank.
- Ruth Porat of Google stated Alphabet will continue heavy AI investment despite warnings of capital destruction.
- 60% of publishers are blocking specific AI training bots while using AI tools for content search.
Microsoft offers free AI courses and certifications for 2026
Microsoft Learn provides free AI courses covering Copilot, Foundry, and AI agents. Certification exams start at $99. Updates to AI-901 and AI Skills Navigator were checked on October 17, 2026.
NVIDIA DLI offers 52 AI courses and certifications for 2026
NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute now offers 52 AI courses, with 11 available for free. Certification exams range from $125 to $500. Courses cover computer vision, natural language processing, and reinforcement learning, and are highly regarded in the industry.
DeepLearning.AI and Hugging Face offer free AI courses for 2026
DeepLearning.AI lists 131 courses and Hugging Face lists 12. Videos are free, but quizzes and certificates require a Pro subscription at $25 per month. Information was checked on October 17, 2026.
Snowflake and Orange to run sovereign AI cloud in France
Snowflake plans a sovereign AI Data Cloud in France operated by Orange Business on the Bleu infrastructure. This joint venture from Capgemini and Orange ensures EU data residency and local governance. No availability date or pricing has been announced yet.
Snowflake brings Gemini 4 Argon to Cortex AI in preview
Snowflake placed Gemini 4 Argon in Public Preview within Cortex AI, starting with AI Functions. Features like CoWork and Agents are pending cross-region rollout. The move allows enterprises to run reasoning and multimodal tasks where their data already resides.
AI scams cost Americans nearly $1 billion in 2025, experts warn
AI-related scams caused nearly $900 million in losses across the US in 2025, according to the FBI Internet Crime Report. Extortion was the most reported cybercrime with about 89,000 complaints. Experts say AI makes phishing emails more convincing by adding personal details. They recommend multi-factor authentication and long passwords to stay safe.
Workday faces slower AI revenue growth despite new products
Workday launched several AI products including the Sana experience and Trusted Agent Platform upgrades. About 25% of its core customers have adopted at least one AI offering. However, analysts worry that revenue from these AI products may grow slower than expected. This could change how investors view Workday's overall AI strategy.
Experts discuss biggest threats from artificial intelligence
A news segment from KRQE explores the biggest threats posed by artificial intelligence. The video feature addresses key concerns about AI risks. It provides insight into how AI can be dangerous. The full story is available through KRQE's website.
FSB report outlines responsible AI risk management for finance
The Financial Stability Board released a report on managing AI risks in financial institutions. It recommends measuring results, assigning accountability, and matching controls to potential AI risks. The report highlights that AI can improve efficiency and fraud detection but warns that risks can grow when access permissions expand. One bank's fraud agent helped reduce fraud losses by over 20% in the first half of 2026 compared with 2025.
Rome's Deploiable raises €500,000 for AI micro-exit products
Deploiable, a Rome-based AI product lab, raised €500,000 in funding led by Italian investors. The company builds AI-powered tools to help investors identify small undervalued companies ripe for acquisition. Founders Alessandro and Lorenzo plan to expand their team and develop new AI products. They believe their technology can reduce the risk of buying undervalued companies.
Ruth Porat responds to Jefferies warning about AI capital destruction
Ruth Porat, Alphabet and Google's chief investment officer, responded to a warning from Jefferies that the AI boom could lead to massive U.S. capital destruction. She stated that Alphabet can afford costly long-term AI bets and plans to keep investing heavily. Porat emphasized that companies using AI to build truly differentiated experiences will win. She also highlighted that innovation is a critical area where companies must adapt to avoid competitive disadvantages.
Publishers block AI training bots but embrace search
A new report shows that publishers are becoming more sophisticated in their use of AI. The survey of 100 publishers found that 70% are using search to find content while 60% are blocking AI training bots. Publishers are not blocking all AI training bots but are singling out specific companies. The report's authors say this shows publishers are becoming more aware of AI risks and are taking steps to mitigate them.
Sources
- Free Microsoft AI courses and certifications, the 2026 guide
- NVIDIA AI Courses and Certifications, the Complete DLI Guide for 2026
- Free AI Courses From DeepLearning.AI and Hugging Face, the 2026 Guide
- Snowflake taps Orange to run sovereign AI in France
- Snowflake bets you bring the model to data
- 'Seeing isn’t believing anymore', as AI scams reach historic highs
- AI Revenue Doubts Could Be A Game Changer For Workday Stock (WDAY)
- Q: What are the biggest threats from artificial intelligence?
- AI Risk Management in Finance: Key Lessons From the FSB’s New Report on Responsible AI
- Dealroom.co | Rome's Deploiable raises €500,000 to build AI products for micro-exits
- Alphabet’s chief investment officer responds to Jefferies warning that the most likely outcome of the AI boom is massive U.S. capital destruction
- Publishers block AI training bots, but embrace search
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