Generative AI & LLMs: Foundations to Hands-on Development

Generative AI & LLMs: Foundations to Hands-on Development is a comprehensive, practical guide designed for developers, data scientists, and tech enthusiasts eager to master the mechanics of modern artificial intelligence. Led by Dr. Mohammad Dabbagh, this program bridges the gap between theoretical machine learning concepts and real-world application. Students begin by exploring the foundational architectures of Large Language Models, including transformers and self-attention mechanisms, before transitioning into actionable skills. The curriculum covers essential techniques such as advanced prompt engineering to maximize model performance, as well as hands-on fine-tuning using Hugging Face, Python, and Google Colab. By working through tangible projects, including building custom chatbots and automated text summarizers, learners gain the confidence to implement tailored AI solutions. Additionally, the course addresses crucial considerations around ethical AI, bias mitigation, and transparency. Whether you are a software engineer looking to integrate intelligence into your applications or a researcher aiming to harness GPT-style models, this course provides the structural framework and practical tools needed to excel in the rapidly evolving landscape of generative technologies.