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There are 4 modules in this course
This introductory course is designed for beginners with no prior knowledge of generative AI. You will start by gaining a high-level understanding of what generative AI is and how it works. Through interactive lessons and hands-on examples, you will learn fundamental skills like providing effective prompts and iteratively improving the generated outputs. As the course progresses, you will dive deeper into specific major generative AI models, including their unique capabilities and limitations. Finally,, you will get practical experience using leading systems like GitHub Copilot, DALL-E, and OpenAI to generate code, images, and text. By the end, you will have developed core knowledge to start experimenting with generative AI in a responsible and effective way for a variety of applications. This course aims to provide a friendly introduction to prepare complete beginners for further exploration of this rapidly evolving technology.
In this module, you will learn what generative AI is and how it has evolved from early AI to the large language models used today. You'll understand how these models work in applications by learning about model architectures and the training process. The module provides an overview of major foundation models like ChatGPT and Hugging Face, highlighting their capabilities and limitations. You'll explore the generative AI landscape, comparing options like open source models, local models, and cloud APIs. By the end, you'll have a solid base of knowledge about the foundations of this technology and options for accessing and leveraging different AI systems.
Meet your course instructor: Alfredo Deza•2 minutes
Meet your course instructor: Derek Wales•1 minute
About this Course•3 minutes
Introduction•1 minute
What is Generative AI?•3 minutes
Brief history and Evolution of AI•5 minutes
How do Large Language Models Work in applications?•5 minutes
How are Large Language Models created?•8 minutes
Summary•1 minute
Introduction•1 minute
What are LLMs and how do they work?•5 minutes
Benefits and risks of using LLMs•6 minutes
Mitigating risks of LLMs•6 minutes
What are foundation models?•5 minutes
Summary•1 minute
Introduction•1 minute
OpenAI and ChatGPT•6 minutes
Hugging Face and Open Source models•5 minutes
Using local models•5 minutes
Cloud-based solutions•4 minutes
Summary•1 minute
11 readings•Total 110 minutes
Connect with your instructors•10 minutes
Course structure and Discussion Etiquette•10 minutes
Report a problem with the course •10 minutes
Key Terms•10 minutes
History of artificial Intelligence•10 minutes
Understanding Large Language Models•10 minutes
Key Terms•10 minutes
External lab: trigger inaccuracy in a model•10 minutes
Foundation models and the next era of AI•10 minutes
Key Terms•10 minutes
External lab: Interact with hosted models•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 540 minutes
Graded Quiz•0 minutes
Knowledge check•180 minutes
Knowledge check•180 minutes
Knowledge check•180 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Meet and Greet (optional)•10 minutes
Interacting with models
Module 2•11 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will learn the fundamentals of prompt engineering to interact effectively with generative AI models. You'll understand the concept of few-shot prompting and practice basic prompting techniques using context and examples. Building on this, you'll learn methods for improving prompts through personas, detailed instructions, and iteration based on feedback. Finally, you'll explore more advanced skills like breaking down tasks, chaining prompts, and other useful techniques to overcome context limitations.
What's included
18 videos5 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
18 videos•Total 60 minutes
Introduction•1 minute
What is Prompt Engineering?•5 minutes
Zero, one, and few-shot prompting•6 minutes
Basic prompting with context•4 minutes
Using examples in prompts•4 minutes
Summary•1 minute
Introduction•1 minute
Setting tone and persona•5 minutes
Refining on previous context•4 minutes
Better instructions through feedback•5 minutes
Understanding limitations•4 minutes
Summary•1 minute
Introduction•1 minute
Limitations of context•6 minutes
Breaking down into smaller tasks•4 minutes
Using Chain of Thought•3 minutes
Other useful prompting techniques•4 minutes
Summary•1 minute
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
Key terms•10 minutes
External lab: Practice Zero, one, and few-shot prompting•10 minutes
Key Terms•10 minutes
Strategies for better results with prompt engineering•10 minutes
Key Terms•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 570 minutes
Graded Quiz•30 minutes
Knowledge check•180 minutes
Knowledge check•180 minutes
Knowledge check•180 minutes
Building robust Generative AI systems
Module 3•9 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will explore different types of generative AI applications, including API-based, embedded model, and multi-model systems. You'll learn the fundamentals of building robust applications using techniques like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) to improve context. Through hands-on exercises, you'll gain experience testing an application locally and deploying it on the cloud.
What's included
19 videos5 readings3 assignments1 ungraded lab
Show info about module content
19 videos•Total 66 minutes
Introduction•1 minute
Common types of Generative AI Applications•4 minutes
Overview of an API-based application•5 minutes
Overview of an embedded-model application•5 minutes
What is a multi-model application?•6 minutes
Summary•2 minutes
Introduction•1 minute
What is RAG?•4 minutes
Overview of a RAG application•3 minutes
Managing data for RAG•5 minutes
Verifying embeddings and search•6 minutes
Using RAG with an LLM•4 minutes
Summary•1 minute
Introduction•1 minute
Application overview•6 minutes
Deployment overview•4 minutes
Setting up cloud components•4 minutes
Using the Azure cloud for deployment•6 minutes
Summary•1 minute
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
Key Terms•10 minutes
Key Terms•10 minutes
External lab: Create a RAG with LLM using your own data•10 minutes
Key Terms•10 minutes
External lab: Create a RAG HTTP API•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 390 minutes
Graded Quiz•30 minutes
Knowledge check•180 minutes
Knowledge check•180 minutes
1 ungraded lab•Total 60 minutes
Managing data for RAG•60 minutes
Applications of LLMs
Module 4•5 hours to complete
Module details
Here, you will learn the key capabilities of the OpenAI API. You will generate images with OpenAI’s DALL-E, “fine tuning” LLM models to Reddit questions and answers and summarize videos with OpenAI’s Whisper Model.
What's included
19 videos9 readings4 assignments1 ungraded lab
Show info about module content
19 videos•Total 68 minutes
Meet your Course Instructor: Derek Wales•1 minute
DALL-E Overview•2 minutes
Demo: Environment Set Up•2 minutes
Demo: OpenAI API Generating a Shopping List •7 minutes
Demo: DALL-E to Generate an Image •5 minutes
OpenAI/DALL-E Summary•0 minutes
OpenAI Fine Tuning and Project Intro•1 minute
Fine Tuning Project: Part One - Env/Data Prep•13 minutes
Fine Tuning Project: Part Two - Starting Fine Tuning•9 minutes
Fine Tuning Project: Part Three - Model Evaluation•5 minutes
Fine Tuning Summary•1 minute
OpenAI Whisper Model Project Overview•1 minute
Video Summarizer Walkthrough•8 minutes
Whisper Model API Wrap Up•1 minute
AI Business Environment•2 minutes
AI Ethics Principles•2 minutes
Local Machine Learning Models/Next Course Preview•4 minutes
Module Wrap Up•1 minute
Course summary•2 minutes
9 readings•Total 78 minutes
Key References•2 minutes
How DALL-E 2 Works•15 minutes
Prerequisites and Getting Started•10 minutes
Fine Tuning Resources•10 minutes
External Lab: Fine Tuning w/GPUs•10 minutes
Key Documentation•1 minute
OpenAI Safety Best Practices•10 minutes
Next steps•10 minutes
Share your learning experience•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
Module Quiz•30 minutes
Review Questions•30 minutes
Review Questions •30 minutes
Review Questions •30 minutes
1 ungraded lab•Total 30 minutes
Practice on OpenAI/DALL-E •30 minutes
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Learner reviews
4.5
232 reviews
5 stars
68.53%
4 stars
18.96%
3 stars
6.89%
2 stars
3.01%
1 star
2.58%
Showing 3 of 232
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SS
5·
Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
This is a very useful course for understanding the Generative AI. The explanations are easily understood. The course structure is designed to keep the learners interest.
E
EA
4·
Reviewed on Sep 11, 2025
It was very informative, but in some areas, it lacked sufficient detail on the subject.
A
AB
4·
Reviewed on Jan 15, 2026
Practical (e.g. python) examples were shown but were difficult to follow as no foundations were given.
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.