Introduction to Generative AI and LLMs

Generative AI is a breakthrough technology that has fundamentally changed the way we interact with computers. Both businesses and consumers stand to gain enormously from this technology.

As students, you will gain immensely by getting your feet wet with this technology. It will open up new opportunities in your existing jobs as well as prepare you for new careers.

This course provides a gentle introduction to Generative AI. It is not a coding course.

It will benefit:

* Managers who would like to introduce Generative AI in their organizations.

* Non technical users who want to learn about this topic and curious about how it works.

* Technical users who are looking for an entry level course to jumpstart their career in Generative AI.

Taught by an ex AWS solution architect, AI / ML specialist and Generative AI champion, with many years experience in SAAS, Cloud and IT Consulting.

The course is organized as follows:

Module 1: What is Generative AI?
Module 2: Business use cases
Module 3: Concepts, terminologies and how LLMs work
Module 4: Customizing LLMs
Module 5: Limitations of LLMs and workarounds
Module 6: The future, jobs and certifications
Module 7: Building safeguards

Benefits of this course:Students will get a quick introduction to the basics of Generative AI, understand concepts and learn how LLMs work. They will be able to try out examples using ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion and other popular LLMs for their use cases. They will learn how to customize LLMs for their specific use cases using RAG, Fine Tuning and Prompt Engineering. They will learn when LLMs and Generative AI can go wrong and how to build safeguards around them.

While this course does not prepare you for any particular certification, the concepts you will learn in this course will be useful if you intend to pursue a certification at a later time.

The course does not have any exams or quizzes.

It does not have any code examples. No knowledge of coding is required or assumed.

Upon completion of this course, the student will

Gain an understanding of Generative AI
Know where it can be used
Understand how LLMs work
Learn how to use ChatGPT and other LLMs
Explore jobs and certifications
Learn about building safeguards and following best practices

Join the Generative AI revolution. Don't wait. Enroll now.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand what is generative ai
Learn about the use cases for generative ai
Learn the concepts and terminologies of generative ai

Understand the limitations of llms and how to work around them
Prepare for the future with generative ai
Learn about ethics and responsible ai

Understand what is generative ai
Learn about the use cases for generative ai
Learn the concepts and terminologies of generative ai
Understand the limitations of llms and how to work around them
Prepare for the future with generative ai
Learn about ethics and responsible ai

Syllabus

Introduction

What is Generative AI?

Students will be able to understand the different business scenarios where Generative AI can be used

Business use cases

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops understanding of Generative Artificial Intelligence, which is a promising advancement in technology

Introduces concepts, terminologies, and functions of LLMs, which are important in the field of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Taught by an experienced instructor who possesses expertise in solution architecture for AWS, AI, ML, and Generative Artificial Intelligence

Covers ethical considerations and responsible use of AI, addressing important aspects of deploying and utilizing AI systems

Provides a comprehensive overview of Generative Artificial Intelligence, from its concepts to use cases, and covers potential jobs and certifications

Taught by an experienced instructor who possesses expertise in solution architecture for AWS, AI, ML, and Generative Artificial Intelligence

Reviews summary

Gentle introduction to generative ai concepts

According to students, this course provides a highly accessible entry point into the world of Generative AI and LLMs. Many highlight the clear explanations of complex topics, making it ideal for non-technical users and those seeking a conceptual understanding. Reviewers commend its comprehensive coverage of business use cases, LLM mechanics, and practical aspects like prompt engineering and safeguards. While celebrated for its breadth and clarity, some technical learners noted the intentional lack of coding examples, which aligns with its positioning as a non-coding introduction. Overall, it's highly recommended for gaining a solid foundation without deep technical prerequisites.

Strong conceptual understanding, but not suited for those seeking hands-on coding.

"While the course clearly stated no coding, I wished for more practical, hands-on examples beyond just conceptual demos and discussions."

"If you're looking to actually build AI models or dive into code, this isn't the course for you. It's strictly theory and high-level concepts."

"It perfectly aligned with my need for a non-technical overview, but hardcore developers might find it lacking in implementation details."

Content remains relevant and explores future trends in the fast-evolving AI landscape.

"Even with AI moving so fast, this course felt current, especially the discussions on future jobs and certifications in the field."

"I was impressed by how well it covered the latest developments and ethical considerations in AI and LLM usage."

"The insights into building safeguards and responsible AI systems are crucial and explained very clearly, preparing me for future challenges."

Instructor's background and teaching style contribute significantly to learning.

"The instructor clearly knows his stuff and presents the information in a very engaging and articulate manner."

"His real-world examples from an AWS solution architect background made the concepts much more relatable and understandable."

"I felt confident in the information being shared, given the instructor's deep experience in AI/ML and cloud computing."

Covers a wide range of essential topics from core concepts to practical applications.

"The modules covered everything from what Generative AI is to business use cases, limitations, and even future jobs."

"I particularly found the sections on RAG, Fine Tuning, and Prompt Engineering very informative and practical for understanding customization."

"It gave me a solid understanding of how LLMs work and how to think about their ethical implications and safeguards."

Excellent for beginners and non-technical learners to grasp core concepts.

"This course is perfect for anyone new to AI, explaining complex ideas in a way that's easy to understand and follow."

"As a non-technical manager, I finally feel like I grasp the basics of LLMs and their potential applications in my field."

"I appreciated the breakdown of technical jargon into digestible concepts. Truly a gentle introduction to a complex topic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Generative AI and LLMs with these activities:

Review of Machine Learning Basics

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Before diving into generative AI, ensure a solid foundation in machine learning. Review core concepts such as supervised and unsupervised learning, model evaluation, and feature engineering to enhance your understanding of the underlying principles.

Browse courses on Machine Learning

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Go over your notes or textbooks from previous machine learning courses.
Take practice quizzes or solve coding challenges to test your understanding.
Review online resources and tutorials to refresh your memory on key concepts.

A Guided Tour of Generative AI Concepts and Tools

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Begin by getting your feet wet with basic tutorials that introduce you to the world of generative AI, its key concepts, and the various tools available to get started with it.

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Enroll in an online course or workshop on Generative AI.
Explore online documentation and resources provided by platforms offering Generative AI services.
Follow video tutorials and walkthroughs to understand the practical implementation of Generative AI.

Connect with Generative AI Experts

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Seek guidance and mentorship from individuals who have expertise in generative AI. Attend industry events, join online communities, or reach out directly to professionals in the field to gain valuable insights and advice.

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Identify potential mentors who work in the field of generative AI.
Reach out to them via email, LinkedIn, or other professional networking platforms.
Set up informational interviews to learn about their experiences and perspectives.

Three other activities

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Generative AI Study Group

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Join forces with fellow students to form a study group focused on generative AI. Engage in discussions, share insights, and tackle challenges together to deepen your understanding and reinforce your learning.

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Find a group of classmates who share your interests in Generative AI.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and agenda for your study group.
Take turns presenting on different topics related to Generative AI.
Engage in discussions and debates to explore diverse perspectives.

Practice using ChatGPT and other LLMs

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Experiment and learn how to optimize your use of LLMs in this hands-on practice activity.

Browse courses on LLMs

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Use ChatGPT to summarize a business idea.
Ask Stable Diffusion to generate an image based on a text prompt.
Fine-tune a LLM using RAG.
Try using a LLM to debug code.

Generative AI Project Showcase

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Put your newfound knowledge into practice by developing a generative AI project that addresses a real-world problem or explores a creative concept. Showcase your project to demonstrate your understanding and proficiency in applying generative AI.

Browse courses on Generative AI Applications

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Identify a problem or opportunity that can be addressed using Generative AI.
Design and develop a generative AI solution, utilizing appropriate tools and techniques.
Evaluate the performance and impact of your solution.
Document your project and share your findings through a presentation, blog post, or GitHub repository.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Generative AI and LLMs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: