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Generative AI Foundations for Absolute Beginners

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Generative AI Foundations for Absolute Beginners

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Understand the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and deep learning

  • Learn how Generative AI creates text, images, audio, and video

  • Explore self-supervised learning and its applications in AI

  • Gain practical insights into how to use Generative AI in business and creative projects

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Recently updated!

February 2026

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

There are 7 modules in this course

This course features Coursera Coach!

A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Generative AI is transforming how content is created, and this course offers a comprehensive introduction to this cutting-edge technology. You'll gain a foundational understanding of AI, machine learning, deep learning, and how Generative AI is applied in diverse fields such as text, image, and video generation. As you progress, you will dive into the technical foundations, including neural networks, large language models (LLMs), and self-supervised learning. The course progresses step-by-step, with a focus on practical knowledge and real-time applications, helping you not only understand concepts but also gain hands-on experience. This course is suitable for beginners with no prior technical knowledge in AI. It walks you through the basics, from machine learning to deep learning and the workings of Generative AI. Each section of the course builds upon the previous one, ensuring a smooth learning experience. You’ll also explore the limitations and ethical considerations of using AI, preparing you for a balanced perspective in the field. The course is designed for those curious about the potential and limitations of Generative AI in both creative and professional contexts. By the end of the course, you will be able to understand core AI concepts, apply machine learning techniques, work with Generative AI models, and implement them across various creative use cases, including text and image generation.

In this module, we will introduce you to the world of Generative AI, explaining what you can expect to learn throughout the course. You will get an overview of the topics covered, providing a solid foundation for understanding AI, its history, and its present-day applications.

What's included

1 video1 reading

1 videoTotal 2 minutes
  • Welcome!2 minutes
1 readingTotal 10 minutes
  • Full Course Resources10 minutes

In this module, we will explore the fundamental building blocks of AI, including machine learning and deep learning, and see how they all come together to power advanced AI technologies. You will learn about the historical context and current applications of AI, with a special focus on Generative AI and its transformative role in content generation. By the end of this section, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of AI’s landscape and how each piece contributes to the puzzle.

What's included

6 videos1 assignment

6 videosTotal 23 minutes
  • Introduction2 minutes
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)8 minutes
  • Machine Learning (ML)5 minutes
  • Deep Learning (DL)3 minutes
  • Generative AI (Gen AI)4 minutes
  • Summary2 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Let's Build the AI Puzzle - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will introduce you to the world of machine learning, covering its foundational principles, tasks, and applications. You’ll also learn how machine learning models are trained using data and feedback, providing you with a strong understanding of the processes that drive AI systems.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment

9 videosTotal 47 minutes
  • Introduction3 minutes
  • The ML Box (I/O)4 minutes
  • Typical ML Tasks6 minutes
  • Training Phase5 minutes
  • Y = F(X) - OMG!6 minutes
  • Data Types5 minutes
  • Features5 minutes
  • Please Call the Supervisor!9 minutes
  • Summary6 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Soft Introduction to Machine Learning - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will explore the technologies powering Generative AI, focusing on neural networks, deep learning architectures, and large language models (LLMs). You’ll gain insights into the cutting-edge methods like self-supervised learning, which enhance AI models' ability to generate content, and learn how these models adapt and evolve to produce remarkable outputs.

What's included

12 videos1 assignment

12 videosTotal 62 minutes
  • Introduction2 minutes
  • Artificial Neural Networks3 minutes
  • Deep Learning Architectures8 minutes
  • Foundation Models4 minutes
  • Large Language Models (LLMs)5 minutes
  • Model Types4 minutes
  • Prompt and Tokens5 minutes
  • Total Tokens and Context Window4 minutes
  • Next Token Please!4 minutes
  • Self-Supervised Learning7 minutes
  • Improving and Adapting LLMs8 minutes
  • Summary7 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • The Magic Behind Generative AI - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will delve into the key challenges and limitations of Generative AI, including its sensitivity to prompts and the impact of its non-deterministic nature. We’ll explore common issues such as AI hallucinations, lack of common sense, and how bias and fairness concerns can affect model performance. You will also learn how to address these challenges while ensuring data privacy and security.

What's included

10 videos1 assignment

10 videosTotal 29 minutes
  • Introduction2 minutes
  • Prompt Sensitivity3 minutes
  • Knowledge Cutoff4 minutes
  • It is not Deterministic4 minutes
  • Structured Data3 minutes
  • Hallucinations2 minutes
  • Lack of Common Sense2 minutes
  • Bias and Fairness3 minutes
  • Data Privacy, Security, and Misuse2 minutes
  • Summary4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Key Challenges and Limitations - Assessment15 minutes

In this module, we will showcase the versatile applications of Generative AI, from content creation to enhancing AI-based apps. You’ll learn how to harness the power of Generative AI for generating text, images, and other media, as well as how to implement it for tasks such as code generation and idea brainstorming. Best practices for crafting effective prompts will also be covered to help you make the most of AI's capabilities.

What's included

12 videos1 assignment

12 videosTotal 47 minutes
  • Introduction2 minutes
  • Text-Image-Video-Audio Generation6 minutes
  • Web-Based vs Application-Based (APIs)4 minutes
  • Use Case - Brainstorm Assistant4 minutes
  • Use Case - Summarization3 minutes
  • Use Case – Text Enhancement2 minutes
  • Use Case - Code Generation7 minutes
  • Use Case – Content as a Framework3 minutes
  • Use Case – Images on Demand3 minutes
  • Use Case – Boosting AI-Based Apps3 minutes
  • Best Practices for Prompts7 minutes
  • Summary4 minutes
1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes
  • Unleash the Power of Generative AI - Assessment15 minutes

In this final module, we will recap all the key concepts covered in the course, helping you to connect the dots and solidify your understanding of Generative AI. You will also receive encouragement to continue your learning journey and explore new areas of AI as you apply your newfound knowledge.

What's included

2 videos3 assignments

2 videosTotal 10 minutes
  • Let's Recap9 minutes
  • Thank You!1 minute
3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes
  • Full Course Practice Assessment15 minutes
  • Course Summary - Assessment15 minutes
  • Full Course Assessment60 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

Generative AI refers to a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content, such as text, images, audio, and more, by learning patterns from existing data. This technology is relevant because it is transforming how we generate creative content, automate tasks, and even solve complex problems in various fields, including entertainment, healthcare, and software development. Generative AI models, such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and deep learning techniques, are at the forefront of AI innovation.

This specialization provides a foundational understanding of Generative AI for absolute beginners. It covers the key concepts in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL), with a focus on the technologies and techniques that power Generative AI systems. You will learn about neural networks, large language models (LLMs), and various use cases, from text and image generation to AI-powered code creation. The specialization also explores the challenges and limitations associated with AI.

After completing this specialization, you will have a solid understanding of Generative AI concepts and technologies. You will be able to understand how machine learning and deep learning models work, how Generative AI can be applied in real-world scenarios, and how to leverage AI tools for tasks like content generation, summarization, and code creation. Additionally, you will be equipped with knowledge of the challenges and limitations of AI systems, such as bias and fairness issues.

This specialization is designed for absolute beginners, so no prior knowledge of AI or machine learning is required. However, a basic understanding of computers and an interest in technology will be helpful. The content is structured to gradually introduce core concepts, making it accessible to those with no technical background.

This specialization is for anyone interested in learning about Generative AI, especially those with little to no prior experience in the field. It’s perfect for beginners, students, or professionals looking to get acquainted with the foundations of AI, machine learning, and their applications in content creation and problem-solving. Whether you’re a creative, a marketer, or someone exploring a career in AI, this specialization is tailored to suit all learners.

The total duration of this specialization is approximately 6 to 8 hours. However, the pace can vary depending on how much time you dedicate to each module. Some learners may complete it faster, while others may take more time to fully absorb the content. It’s designed to be flexible, allowing learners to go at their own pace.

Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.

If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. You’ll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.

Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.

If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Course Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Course Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

This course is currently available only to learners who have paid or received financial aid, when 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.

Financial aid available,