Frequently asked questions

Ai School is an education initiative by StartSteps focused on practical AI, automation, software development, and cloud engineering skills. Our goal is to help learners use AI responsibly, build real projects, and prepare for modern digital roles in Germany and Europe.

Ai School's parent company StartSteps is based in Berlin. Courses are designed for live online learning, so participants can usually join from different locations in Germany, depending on the course and funding requirements.

The main format is live online learning with instructors, guided labs, project work, and mentoring. If a course or event includes in-person elements, this will be clearly communicated before enrollment.

Ai School offers different paths for different learners: professionals who want to use AI and automation in their current work, career changers who want to move into software and AI roles, and developers who want to specialize in AI systems, automation, cloud, and GenAI engineering. See all programs to compare paths.

The programs are designed mainly for learners connected to the German labor market, especially where funding, career support, and compliance topics are involved. Some online formats may also be relevant for learners outside Germany, depending on the course.

The main funded qualification formats are designed as intensive full-time programs. Shorter or alternative formats may be offered separately depending on demand, certification requirements, and partner arrangements.

Ai School is built around AI-first practical delivery. We do not only teach coding; we teach how to use AI responsibly, automate workflows, build AI-enabled applications, connect systems, deploy to the cloud, and explain real project outcomes to employers.

It depends on the course. Programs such as AI & Automation Skills for Professionals and the 12-month Full Stack AI & Cloud Engineering pathway start without programming requirements. Advanced courses are designed for people with existing software development or IT experience.

We look at your goals, current skills, language level, time availability, prior technical experience, and target roles. Beginners may start with AI & Automation Skills for Professionals or the full 12-month program. Experienced developers may be better suited for advanced AI systems or advanced AI and cloud engineering courses. You can also try our program finder quiz.

Technical instruction is primarily in English, because many tools, documentation, and international tech teams use English. German may be used for clarification, career preparation, CV/LinkedIn support, and labor-market integration.

For most courses, you should be comfortable following technical instruction in English. A B1+ level is a useful baseline, but motivation, digital confidence, and willingness to practice are also important.

Yes. Responsible AI, GDPR awareness, vendor/tool evaluation, data minimization, and safe AI adoption are included from the beginning and become more technical in later blocks.

Career support may include CV and LinkedIn improvement, portfolio preparation, project storytelling, interview practice, job-search strategy, and guidance on how to explain your projects to employers.

Ai School supports employability through practical projects, portfolio work, career preparation, interview practice, and certification-oriented learning. Individual outcomes depend on your prior experience, effort, language level, location, mobility, and the job market.

You can apply through the Ai School application form. After you submit your interest, we may invite you to an orientation or suitability conversation to understand your background, goals, funding situation, and which course is the best fit.

As early as possible. Funding decisions, suitability checks, and course preparation can take time. If you plan to apply through Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter, it is better to start before the course start date is close.

Participation may be funded by Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter if you are eligible and receive a Bildungsgutschein (education voucher). You will need to make an appointment with your local agency — they decide eligibility individually. We can share course information and help you prepare for that conversation. See our funding overview or check funding fit first.

A Bildungsgutschein is an education voucher issued by Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter. If approved, it can cover the cost of an eligible certified training program. The decision depends on your personal employment situation and the assessment of the employment agency. Read our Bildungsgutschein guide for the full process.

Yes. Participants who meet attendance, assignment, project, and assessment requirements receive an Ai School / StartSteps completion certificate for the relevant course or block. Some programs also include preparation for external certificates such as Google AI or AWS certifications, depending on the course.

Some courses include structured preparation for external certificates. Passing an external exam cannot be guaranteed and is not always required for course completion.

Yes. We provide a laptop for the duration of the course. It must be returned when the course ends.