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There are 3 modules in this course
Building AI Agents for Complex Tasks is an intermediate-level course designed to equip learners with the skills to design, build, and evaluate intelligent agents that operate autonomously across dynamic, multi-step environments. Moving beyond simple chatbot flows, this course introduces learners to agent architectures that perceive context, make decisions, integrate tools, and recover from failure.
Through hands-on labs, interactive video walkthroughs, and real-world case studies—including Alexa, BabyAGI, and AlphaCode—learners will explore agent types, design patterns, tool orchestration, memory management, and behavior evaluation. They'll gain practical experience using modern frameworks like LangChain and Rasa to construct agents for use cases such as research automation, virtual assistants, and decision-making bots.
By the end of the course, learners will have built and tested their own intelligent agent and developed the foundational skills to implement agent-based AI systems that can adapt, reason, and act in real-world applications.
This foundational lesson introduces what AI agents are and how they differ from traditional software. Learners will explore agent-environment interactions, the concept of perception, and how various types of agents—reactive, deliberative, and hybrid—handle decision-making. Through real-world examples like smart assistants and warehouse robots, learners will classify agent types and determine where each model excels or breaks down.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 18 minutes
Introduction and Welcome•2 minutes
How AI Agents Perceive the World Around Them•7 minutes
Reactive vs. Deliberative Agents in the Real World•5 minutes
Rasa vs. AutoGPT – Choosing the Right Agent Model•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 6 minutes
Welcome to the Course: Course Overview•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
HOL: Practice Classifying Agent Types in Real-World Use Cases•10 minutes
Lesson 2: Build Intelligent Agents Using Perception, Planning, and Tools
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
This lesson moves from theory to implementation. Learners will construct intelligent agents that integrate inputs (perception), structured reasoning (decision loops), and output (action). They'll explore core modules such as memory, planning chains, and tool execution in LangChain and Rasa. Real-world examples like Alexa’s task-based updates and LangChain agents with tools will help frame the technical walkthroughs.
What's included
3 videos1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 15 minutes
How Intelligent Agents Turn Input into Impact•5 minutes
Designing Action Loops and Memory Modules•5 minutes
Alexa Multi-Intent Flow and Long Chain Tool Use•5 minutes
1 reading•Total 8 minutes
LangChain and Rasa: Agent Workflows and APIs•8 minutes
2 assignments•Total 20 minutes
HOL: Build a Simple Multi-Step Agent Using LangChain or Rasa•10 minutes
HOL: Intelligent Agent Lab•10 minutes
Lesson 3: Evaluate and Optimize Agent Behavior in Dynamic Environments
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
In the final lesson, learners will focus on evaluating how agents perform in realistic, changing environments. They'll explore testing strategies, interpret edge-case behaviors, and fine-tune agents using logs, performance feedback, and outcome tracking. Examples such as AlphaCode’s reasoning iterations and BabyAGI’s task queue refinement will help frame the concepts. This lesson culminates in the Capstone project, where learners will apply everything they've learned to design and deliver an intelligent, goal-driven agent.
What's included
4 videos1 reading4 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 19 minutes
Is Your Agent Really Working? •7 minutes
Agent Behavior Breakdown: Debugging and Testing•5 minutes
BabyAGI, AlphaCode: Improving Agent Performance Over Time•5 minutes
Congratulations and Continuous Learning Journey•3 minutes
1 reading•Total 6 minutes
Edge Cases, Loops, and Failure Modes in Agent Systems•6 minutes
4 assignments•Total 110 minutes
Assessment•30 minutes
HOL: Diagnose and Improve an Agent’s Behavior Using Logs and Examples•10 minutes
HOL: Diagnose and Improve an Agent’s Behavior Using Logs and Edge Cases•10 minutes
Project: Design and Deploy a Real-World AI Agent•60 minutes
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
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