Overview

Generative and agentic AI systems are pushing the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can create, automate, and initiate. This course explores the cutting-edge capabilities behind tools like ChatGPT and autonomous agents; unpacking not just how they work, but how they’re transforming workflows, communication, and decision-making across industries. You’ll dive into the mechanics of large language models (LLMs), the design of effective prompts, and the power of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to ground outputs in real data. As AI systems become more proactive and goal-directed, you’ll examine what agentic AI means for autonomy, alignment, and organisational control. Alongside technical insights, this course guides you in understanding the strategic and operational challenges of deploying these systems responsibly. With simulations, practical demonstrations, and expert-led content, you’ll gain the tools to evaluate generative and agentic AI systems with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re exploring content automation, AI agents for business tasks, or governance strategies, this course helps you navigate both the potential and the pitfalls of this fast-evolving field. This is the second course in the AI Foundations for Business Professionals specialisation. We recommend completing AI Essentials first to build a strong conceptual foundation before applying these advanced AI systems in your organisation.

Syllabus

Introduction

Generative and agentic AI are unlocking new forms of creativity, reasoning, and automation; reshaping how organisations generate value. In this course, you’ll explore how systems like large language models and autonomous agents work, what makes them powerful, and how to deploy them effectively. You’ll also examine their risks, including hallucinations and loss of control, and learn what it takes to harness these technologies responsibly and with impact.

Generative AI

Generative AI is redefining what machines can create, from lifelike images and music to entire business reports and software code. In this module, you’ll explore how these systems work, what sets them apart from traditional AI, and why understanding their capabilities is essential for responsible innovation.

Working with Generative AI

Generative AI systems are powerful—but only when used with skill and care. In this module, you’ll learn how to work effectively with large language models (LLMs) through techniques like prompt engineering, model evaluation, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), enabling you to guide outputs and integrate generative tools into real business workflows.

AI Agents

AI agents represent a major step beyond traditional tools. They don’t just respond to prompts, they pursue goals. In this module, you’ll explore how autonomous systems make decisions, take actions, and collaborate across tasks, raising new opportunities and questions for business and society.

Conclusion

This final module consolidates your learning from across the course and invites you to reflect on how generative and agentic AI systems are reshaping the future of work, decision-making, and autonomy. You’ll revisit the core techniques, risks, and opportunities explored throughout the course, then apply your knowledge through a capstone task that challenges you to evaluate and design a responsible AI solution for a real-world business scenario.