Watson is a supercomputer that’s designed to replicate a person’s ability to answer questions. It uses artificial intelligence to find solutions. Although developers initially conceived of this question-answering computer system to see if it could correctly solve Jeopardy! questions, they soon realized the supercomputer had applications far beyond the world of game shows. It can even function as its own search engine — but how? It’s programmed with over 6 million logic rules that it utilizes for processing about 200 million pages’ worth of information to find answers when someone poses a question. Watson represents a new frontier in machine learning.

Why should I learn about Watson?

Researching how IBM's Watson works, what roles it can serve and how its related services work in apps provides you with the basics you need to know before you move onto more intricate concepts in artificial intelligence. This supercomputer is a powerful model of the ways artificial intelligence can work for us. With an understanding of Watson in your proverbial toolkit, you’ll be better equipped to pursue a career as a computer scientist or use IBM Watson Analytics to provide new insights into information for industries as varied as retail and healthcare.

What career opportunities can arise from learning about Watson?

Learning Watson can lead to a career working with artificial intelligence, and AI and deep learning can keep you engaged and pursuing revolutionary concepts and outcomes each and every day. A variety of careers provide the introduction to AI that you’re looking for, too. Data analyst careers will have you working with the data and details computers need to process in order to “think” and determine outcomes the way a person would. A job in the field of user experience, which helps refine products so they’re easier for consumers to use, might see you integrating AI features into those products to make them more helpful. Traditionally, AI also involves plenty of software engineering, and this type of career in the computer science field may have you developing the programs that AI tools need to function.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn about Watson?

Whether you’re interested in learning specifically about working with Watson or plan to use your new knowledge about the supercomputer as a springboard into a future career working with artificial intelligence, our online courses provide engaging materials and valuable support to help you achieve your goals. An introductory course on Watson can help you get familiar with the basics of how the supercomputer works and how you can apply its artificial intelligence principles to build smart apps. And if you’re already working as a data scientist, taking our online classes can build confidence as you learn to automate deep learning and apply your understanding of machine learning to prototype new AI models. Whether you’re just getting started or are already experienced with AI concepts, online courses help you explore your curiosity and learn marketable skills at your perfect pace.

Best Watson Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Watson Course Catalog

Coursera Project Network
Building Smart Business Assistants with IBM Watson
Skills you'll gain: IBM Cloud, Customer Engagement, Customer experience improvement, Project Design, Application Deployment, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Service, User Flows, Natural Language Processing, Cloud Computing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
464 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Data Wrangling, SQL, Unsupervised Learning, Matplotlib, Data Literacy, Feature Engineering, Relational Databases, Data Visualization Software, Professional Networking, Predictive Modeling, Plotly, Supervised Learning, Dashboard, Exploratory Data Analysis, Generative AI, Seaborn, Data Visualization, Data Mining, Jupyter, Data Science
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
146K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
IBM
Machine Learning Rapid Prototyping with IBM Watson Studio
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Data Processing, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Data Cleansing, Applied Machine Learning, Data Transformation, IBM Cloud, Application Deployment, Automation, Prototyping, Machine Learning, Python Programming, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Science
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
AI Foundations for Everyone
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI Agents, Generative AI, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Process Design, IBM Cloud, Machine Learning, Self Service Technologies, Business Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Application Deployment, Automation, Large Language Modeling, Natural Language Processing, Technical Writing, Customer Service, Image Analysis, Data Science
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
30K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM AI Developer
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, ChatGPT, Web Development Tools, Flask (Web Framework), Responsive Web Design, Development Environment, Generative AI Agents, Software Design, Large Language Modeling, Software Engineering, Web Applications, Software Development Methodologies, Jupyter, Professional Networking, Python Programming, Machine Learning, Data Science
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
73K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Python Project for Data Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Transformation, Data Manipulation, Package and Software Management, Unit Testing, SQL, Data Processing, Database Management, Python Programming, Programming Principles, Application Programming Interface (API), Style Guides
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
791 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Explore topics outside of work

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to Big Data with Spark and Hadoop
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, PySpark, Apache Hive, Big Data, Data Processing, Performance Tuning, Distributed Computing, Development Environment, Scalability, Debugging
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
449 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI for Executives and Business Leaders
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Feasibility Studies, Brainstorming, Ideation, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Data Quality, OpenAI, Generative AI Agents, Artificial Intelligence, Cost Benefit Analysis, Data Strategy, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Strategic Leadership, Proposal Writing, Business Transformation, Business Marketing, Business Strategy, Technology Strategies, Competitive Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
528 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Developing AI Applications with Python and Flask
Skills you'll gain: Flask (Web Framework), Web Applications, Web Development, Unit Testing, Restful API, Software Testing, Python Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Application Deployment, Code Review, Programming Principles, Natural Language Processing, Style Guides
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Analysis with Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Wrangling, Predictive Modeling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Import/Export, Statistical Modeling, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Regression Analysis, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Predictive Analytics, Data Cleansing, Correlation Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Machine Learning Methods, Descriptive Statistics, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
19K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI: Foundation Models and Platforms
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Large Language Modeling, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence, IBM Cloud, Computing Platforms, Natural Language Processing, Application Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
237 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI for Data Analysts
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Data Storytelling, Interactive Data Visualization, Dashboard, ChatGPT, Analytics, Real Time Data, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Business Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Data Cleansing, SQL, Data Visualization Software, Data Processing, Python Programming, Technical Writing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
8.1K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months