Generative AI: Foundation Models and Platforms

It gets into the building blocks behind modern generative models: deep learning and LLMs, plus GANs, VAEs and diffusion models, along with the platforms used to build with them. That depth is the point, and it defines the audience — a good next move for people who want to understand the machinery without committing to a full ML specialisation, and too steep if you're brand new to AI or after a non-technical overview.

One caveat comes with the territory: generative AI moves fast, and specific platforms and models date quicker than the underlying concepts, so check the course is reasonably current. Free to audit on Coursera, certificate on a subscription (about $49/month) or Coursera Plus with financial aid (as of 2026).

Generative AI: Foundation Models and Platforms is the more technical course in IBM's generative-AI line-up. It covers the building blocks behind modern generative models — deep learning and LLMs, plus GANs, VAEs, transformers, and diffusion models — then looks at the platforms and named models that put them to work, including IBM watsonx, Hugging Face, GPT, Llama, and Granite.