Generative AI Foundations: The Complete Study and Practical Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the Generative AI Foundations study and practice guide.
As a learner, you are entering a field that is advancing every month. This guide is organized to help you:

• Understand the core concepts behind generative models
• Practise the process of prompting and refining outputs
• Identify which AI tools are appropriate for which tasks
• Use AI responsibly, avoiding common pitfalls such as bias or misinformation

Throughout the course, we explore the four domains of the certification:

1. Methods and Methodologies – What generative AI is, how models are built, and where they differ.
2. Basic Prompt Engineering – How to communicate with AI systems in a clear, structured way.
3. Prompt Refinement – How to improve, troubleshoot, and control outputs.
4. Ethics, Law & Societal Impact – How to use AI safely, ethically, and within compliance boundaries.