This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Design AI systems that can think and act independently

AI is no longer just responding - it’s starting to act.

A new generation of systems, known as agentic AI, can plan tasks, use tools, and make decisions in ways that go far beyond traditional chatbots. These systems don’t just generate answers, they work towards goals.

On this course, you’ll step into this emerging space and learn how AI agents are built, how they operate, and what makes them fundamentally different from other AI systems. Rather than focusing only on theory, the course centres on experimentation and creation, giving you the opportunity to build and explore agentic systems in practice.

See how AI moves from response to action

Explore the shift from prompt-based AI to systems that can reason, plan, and act.

You’ll unpack the core architecture behind AI agents, including the agent loop, decision-making processes, and how large language models interact with tools.

This introduces a new way of thinking about AI - not as a tool, but as an active system.

Build agents that interact with the real world

Move quickly into hands-on development, creating your own AI agents from scratch.

You’ll experiment with Python, APIs, and frameworks such as LangChain to design systems that can search, retrieve information, and perform tasks.

By integrating tools and functions, your agents begin to operate beyond the limits of static models.

Explore the future of autonomous AI systems

Extend your understanding by working with multi-agent systems and exploring how agents collaborate.

You’ll also examine emerging standards, real-world applications, and key challenges around safety, control, and ethics.

This wider perspective helps position agentic AI within the rapidly evolving landscape of intelligent systems.

Syllabus

Week 1
Build Your First AI Agent
- Navigating Your Learning Path
  Familiarize yourself with the course roadmap, learning objectives, key outcomes, and the overall journey you will follow throughout the program.
- Understand What Makes Something an AI Agent
  Learn what an agent is and how it differs from a chatbot or an assistant.
- Build a ReAct Agent from Scratch
  Set up your workspace and code a full ReAct reasoning loop by hand.
- Give Your Agent Tools and Test What You Know
  Add a web-search tool so your agent can act, then check your understanding.
Week 2
Create Agents with LangChain
- Create Your AI Agent with LangChain
  Build functional AI agent with LangChain and Gemini API.
- Build a Team of Agents That Work Together
  See why one agent isn't enough and build a multi-agent team in LangChain.
- Explore the Agentic AI Ecosystem and Plan Your Next Step
  Discover the framework landscape, agent ethics, and where to go next.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Explain the core principles of agentic AI, including how AI agents use reasoning, tools, prompts, memory and observations to work towards a goal.
Build a scratch ReAct agent in Python using Groq, including tool registration, action parsing, scratchpad updates and final answer generation.
Extend an agent workflow by adding tool-based capabilities, such as web search, to support external information retrieval and more grounded responses.
Develop LangChain and Gemini-based agent workflows, including a single-agent Meeting Notes Assistant and a multi-agent Researcher–Writer–Reviewer workflow.
Evaluate agentic AI systems by comparing frameworks, multi-agent patterns and responsible AI guardrails for reliability, safety, scalability and production readiness.

Who is the course for?

This course is for developers, data professionals, product managers, and tech leaders curious about the next generation of AI. It’s ideal for those exploring agentic AI or looking to build systems that go beyond traditional chatbots.

What software or tools do you need?

Learners need a computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) with at least 8 GB RAM and a stable internet connection. Python 3.10 or later should be installed, along with a code editor such as VS Code. No paid software or specialised hardware is required.

Who will you learn with?

Edureka Instructors

Who developed the course?

Edureka

Edureka is a global online learning platform offering industry-focused training in emerging technologies such as Cloud, AI, GenAI, Data Science, DevOps, and Cybersecurity, helping professionals upskill and advance their careers.

What's included?

Edureka are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

Tests to validate your learning

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn