Vanderbilt University · on Coursera

AI Agents and Agentic AI with Python & Generative AI

Beginner 10 hours English University CertificateFREE
Our recommendation
A Coursera course (Dr Jules White, Vanderbilt) that builds AI agents in Python from the ground up — not by wiring together an existing framework, but by understanding how agents actually work. Hands-on and foundational, it suits Python coders who want genuine understanding of agentic AI rather than framework recipes. Using model APIs is billed separately.

Good for: Understanding how AI agents work by building them in Python.

Less suitable if: You cannot code Python or just want to use a framework.

Skills you'll gain

AI agentsAgentic AIPythonGenerative AILLM integrationAgent design

Is this course right for you?

A good fit if you…

You can code Python
You want to understand agents deeply
You prefer fundamentals over frameworks

Consider something else if you…

You cannot yet code Python
You just want to use a framework
You want a no-code overview

Requirements: Python; an API key for model access (usage billed separately).

Realistic time: Around 15–20 hours over a few weeks.

About this course

AI Agents and Agentic AI with Python & Generative AI is a from-the-ground-up course in building AI agents in Python — not wiring together an existing agent framework, but understanding how agents actually work. Dr. Jules White's GAME framework (Goals, Actions, Memory, Environment) structures the course around the core components every working agent needs.

What you'll learn

Build a Python AI agent framework from first principles
Apply the GAME framework (Goals, Actions, Memory, Environment)
Design tool discovery and function-calling for agents
Build practical agents for file exploration and doc generation
Understand agent architecture, not just framework usage
Prepare for deeper agent-building in the full specialization

This course includes

10h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language

What it costs

You can audit the course free on Coursera. A certificate needs a Coursera subscription (about $49/month) or Coursera Plus, with financial aid available. Using model APIs to run your agents is billed by usage by the provider, separate from Coursera.

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Prices & availability can change — confirm on the provider's site. We're not affiliated with any single provider.

Is the certificate recognised?

A Vanderbilt certificate on Coursera is a credible learning record. It is a course certificate rather than a professional qualification or degree.

Instructor

JW
Jules White
Coursera instructor

Dr. Jules White is a professor at Vanderbilt University and one of Coursera's most-enrolled instructors for practical generative AI and agent-building courses.

About this provider

CO
Coursera
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Frequently asked questions

Yes — it builds agents in Python from the ground up, so Python is required.
No — the point is understanding how agents work by building them yourself, rather than wiring together an existing framework.
Yes — using model APIs to run your agents is billed by usage by the provider, separate from Coursera.
Yes — you can audit it free on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription or Coursera Plus.
Around 15–20 hours over a few weeks.
Free
to audit
Enroll now