AI Agents for Beginners: Build Agents in Python & OpenAI

This masterclass, led by Prof. Ryan Ahmed, provides a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to building autonomous AI agents from scratch using Python and the OpenAI Agents SDK. Designed specifically for beginners and aspiring AI engineers, the course demystifies the core components of modern agentic workflows. Students start by mastering system prompts, setting instructions, and structuring contexts before moving on to advanced concepts like persistent memory utilizing SQLite-based session storage. The curriculum guides learners through practical projects, such as constructing a travel planner, a personal finance advisor, and specialized multi-agent systems consisting of researchers, analysts, and writers. By integrating built-in capabilities like Code Interpreter alongside custom FunctionTools, students learn to grant their agents real-time search and data-retrieval skills. Crucially, the course covers the orchestration of multi-agent collaborations, smooth context handoffs, and the implementation of robust guardrails to restrict inappropriate topics. Whether you are a software developer looking to transition into AI or a tech-savvy professional aiming to automate complex tasks, this course delivers the exact practical skills needed to design, test, and deploy resilient, real-world AI agent systems.