Microsoft’s “Generative AI for Beginners” is a comprehensive 21-lesson course available on GitHub, designed to equip learners with the skills to build Generative AI applications. Created by Microsoft Cloud Advocates, the course offers a structured learning path, dividing lessons into theoretical “Learn” modules and practical “Build” modules with code examples in Python and TypeScript.
To engage with the code, users can leverage Azure OpenAI Service, GitHub Marketplace Model Catalog, or OpenAI API. While basic programming knowledge in Python or TypeScript is beneficial, a GitHub account is essential for accessing and forking the repository. A dedicated “Course Setup” lesson is provided to streamline environment configuration.
The course features short video introductions, detailed written lessons, practical code samples, and links to supplementary resources. It spans a wide array of topics, from foundational concepts of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to the development of various applications, including text generation, chat interfaces, search functionalities, and image generation. More advanced subjects covered include prompt engineering, function calling, securing AI applications, and understanding the Generative AI application lifecycle. The curriculum also explores Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), open-source models, AI agents, fine-tuning LLMs, and building with Small Language Models (SLMs), Mistral, and Meta models. The course supports multiple languages and fosters community interaction through Discord and GitHub forums.