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.
Generative and Agentic AI
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Generative and Agentic AI
This course is part of AI Foundations for Business Professionals Specialization
Instructor: Matthias Holweg
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
14 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Use prompts, fine-tuning, and retrieval methods to guide generative AI systems.
Assess the capabilities and risks of emerging agentic AI tools.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
July 2025
Assessments
3 assignments
Taught in English
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This course is part of the AI Foundations for Business Professionals Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 5 modules in this course
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.
What's included
2 readings
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.
What's included
4 videos7 readings1 assignment1 plugin
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.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment5 plugins
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.
What's included
2 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt3 plugins
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.
What's included
4 readings1 peer review
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Instructor
Explore more from Leadership and Management
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
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Frequently asked questions
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