Frequently Asked Questions

Generative AI—a paradigm shift in the world of AI goes beyond analysing data to create entirely new, realistic datasets, paving the way for a new era of exploration and efficiency. Generative AI has the potential to significantly accelerate AI adoption, even for organisations lacking deep AI or data-science expertise. In many instances, this can be accomplished through APIs or by prompt engineering. The market for Gen AI is poised for explosive growth, reaching an estimated $200 billion by 2032, representing a significant chunk (20%) of the total AI spends. In fact a study by Gartner predicts that by 2025, over 10% of all data will be AI-generated, ushering in a new "Age of WithTM" where humans and AI collaborate seamlessly.

From being a boardroom discussion to actual deployment, we are slowly and steadily beginning to witness how Generative AI is accelerating experimental, consumer, and, soon, enterprise use cases. Here is how businesses are leveraging Gen AI

  • Boosts Efficiency: Repetitive tasks like content creation, data analysis, and report generation become automated, allowing human capital for strategic thinking and innovation.
  • Enhanced Customer Experiences: Generative AI excels at custom content creation for specific audiences, through targeted marketing campaigns and chatbots, delivering personalised experiences at scale.
  • Fast track Product Development: Design new products, identify potential issues in existing ones, and accelerate R&D through generative design.
  • Driving Innovation: Generative AI can brainstorm new ideas and concepts, giving businesses a competitive edge.

To help professionals explore and tap into this new frontier of AI, IISc has launched the Advanced Certification Programme in Generative AI and Prompt Engineering. This one of a kind AI Certification will empower you to be at the forefront of this exciting technological revolution.

The world of AI is on the cusp of a revolution with Generative AI leading the charge. As companies strive to get the most out of this new frontier, they need a new skill: prompt engineering.

Here are a few reasons why prompt engineering is an in-demand skill today.

  • Unlocks Generative AI's Power: Gen AI models are powerful but they rely on clear instructions to function effectively. Prompt engineers act as the bridge between human intent and AI capabilities, unlocking their true potential for tasks like content creation, chatbots, automation and more.
  • Lowers the Barrier to Entry: Prompt engineering allows even those without AI expertise to leverage its power.
  • High Demand and Evolving Field: As the demand for AI and NLP continues to grow, a career in prompt engineering could be a highly rewarding path for those with the right skills and mindset. It's a new field brimming with innovation, shaping the future of AI applications.
  • Lucrative Opportunities: Based on skills and experience, a Prompt Engineer can command anywhere from ₹6 LPA4 to over ₹2.7 crores5 annually. A Prompt Engineer develops and refine large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini, enabling them to generate human-like text and assist in wide applications.

India's #1 Research Institute and #1 University, IISc, is globally recognized for its academic and research excellence. Home to some of the remarkable achievements and milestones set in the history of science and technology, here are some of the reasons why IISc would benefit you in your career.

  • World-class Academia: IISc houses a highly accomplished faculty group of academicians, researchers recognised in their respective fields, offering individuals a hands-on and cutting-edge learning environment.
  • Robust Alumni Network: IISc dons a strong alumni network - academicians, scientists, and industry leaders, many of whom contributed towards the advances of Indian science and technology.
  • IISc Edge: An IISc Certification can open doors to diverse career opportunities in both academia and industry, positively shaping your career path in deeptech space.

The programme brings a transformative learning experience, perfected for professionals.

  • IISc Advantage: Master the Generative AI concept in practice through this AI course designed and delivered by IISc faculty. Earn the prestigious IISc certificate, a valuable credential that sets you apart in the competitive industry.
  • Distinctive Pedagogy: 96 hours of immersive learning encompassing an industry-relevant curriculum, supported by case studies, assignments, mini projects, and a visit to the IISc Campus.
  • Career Advancement: Showcase expertise through projects and experiments. Upgrade and strengthen your technical prowess and your overall professional profile.
  • Experiential learning with iPearl: Attend live sessions on iPearl.ai -an award-winning AI-powered learning platform by TalentSprint

  • AI/Data Science practitioners seeking to build expertise in Generative AI
  • Tech Leaders looking forward to adopting Generative AI in their workflow
  • Tech professionals aspiring to upgrade to Generative AI and Prompt Engineering roles

  • Career advancement: Transition to lucrative roles like prompt engineering, whose demand has remained unabated since the ChatGPT's existence.
  • Lead AI initiatives: Apply your knowledge to evaluate use cases, select appropriate tools, and ensure successful deployments.
  • Upgrade technical portfolio: Mastering Generative AI will place you at the forefront of technological innovation. Understand how Generative AI can be applied within your field to achieve optimal outcomes.

You will learn from the distinguished IISc Faculty.

Education: B.E / B.Tech / M.E / M.Tech / M.Sc / MBA or equivalent master's degree with a minimum 50% marks and 1 year professional experience.

BSc, BA, LLB, CA, BBA with a minimum of 65% marks and 2 years of professional experience. A background in mathematics at high school level is necessary for a non-engineering degree

The programme will be delivered in an interactive online format, retaining effectiveness while maintaining safety. The format uniquely combines the benefits of an in-class programme with the flexibility and safety of online learning.

Benefits of in-class delivery

  • Synchronous, interactive learnings from expert faculty
  • Interact and get your doubts answered by faculty
  • Peer learning through working in groups with other participants
  • Support from mentors for labs and experiments

Flexibility and additional value of online learning

  • Re-attend classes through recorded archives
  • Access videos easily with searchable and indexed video archives
  • Learn from the comfort and safety of your home
  • Learn one-on-one from mentors through office hours

The programme will be delivered on TalentSprint's patent-pending iPearl.ai, a leading digital learning platform of choice used for programs offered by the likes of Google, IIM Calcutta, IIT Hyderabad, IISc, and IIT Kanpur, to name a few.

This is an expertise-building programme for experienced professionals. You will be certified by the Center for Continuing Education at IISc Bangalore.

A certificate of successful completion is provided upon meeting all program requirements. IISc carries out all examinations and evaluations related to the certification.

The programme format with LIVE Interactive Sessions, Industry Sessions, Quizzes, Mini Projects, and Assignments enables a conducive environment to network with your peers in the cohort. Most participants can continue to network even after the cohort by using the alumni portal.

As an Institution of Eminence, IISc enjoys considerable autonomy. Certificate programs the institution offers to working professionals, such as this programme, are governed and fully approved by the IISc Centre for Continuing Education. The program complies with all the relevant regulations applicable.

All participants must execute, before the start of the programme, an agreement that consists of the standard programme Terms and Conditions. It has the following components:

Part A: Etiquette and Platform Rights
Classroom Etiquette & General Policy Guidelines
Tools and Platforms in Use
Tools and Platforms: Terms of Use

Part B: Honor Code

Part C: Certification

Part D: Programme Fee, Refund, and Termination Policy

IISc conducts the selection process for the programme. Candidates will be selected based on the details of their education, work experience, and a statement of purpose submitted by them along with the application.

**Selection for the programme will be done by IISc and is strictly based on the education, work experience, and motivation of the participants.

The detailed learning modules are as follows:

Module 1: Overview of Classic Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

  • The AI/ML Process and Workflow
      How to solve a problem using data and algorithms?
  • Data Types and State-of-the-Art Models
      Tabular Data - Gradient Boosted Models
      Image Data - Convolutional Neural Networks
      Sequential and Time Series Data - Recurrent Neural Networks
      Text and Speech Data - Transformers
      Generative AI- GPT class of Models for Text, Diffusion for Images/Video
  • Difference between Gen AI and other types of AI, advantages, and disadvantages of Gen AI technologies

Learning Outcomes: Learn to tackle business problems using AI/ML by identifying suitable AI models and evaluating the appropriateness of GenAI. They will also understand neural networks and training models for GenAI applications through hands-on coding sessions.



Module 2: Building Generative AI Applications: From Concept to Implementation

  • Exercises to identify GenAI Use Cases in Diverse Domains
  • LLM Guardrails
  • Responsible AI in Generative Applications
  • Low Code No Code ML/AI Platforms
  • Basic Prompting to Build AI Applications

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you will be able to create your first generative AI application from concept to deployment, gain a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end workflow and tools for building and deploying GenAI, and learn to integrate principles of Responsible and Trustworthy AI aspects in their designs.



Module 3: Generative Text and Speech Models

  • Tokenization Fundamentals and Byte Pair Encoding
  • How does the GPT class of models Generate Text?
  • Training GPT Models
  • Speech Models
  • Interacting with Trained Models

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you will learn the core principles of generative text models, delving into tokenization, multi-head attention mechanisms, and training techniques while also gaining detailed insights into encoder and decoder transformer models, data preparation and hands-on coding for fine-tuning foundational text generation models.



Module 4: Generative Image Models

  • Stable Diffusion Fundamentals
  • Image and Video Generation
  • Tools for Generating Images

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the core concepts of generative vision models, delving into vision transformers, stable diffusion, and CLIP training procedures while also understanding foundational image and video generation models.



Module 5: LLMOPs with Low Code, No Code Platforms

  • LLMOps – Tools, Platforms (incl, but not limited to LangChain, OpenAI API)
  • AWS Sage Maker, Kendra
  • Cloud Computing Tools - AWS ML Tools, Google Cloud, IBM Watson

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you will gain insights into LLMOPs with Low Code, No Code Platforms, developing comprehensive agentic workflows and end-to-end GEnAI solutions.

Module 6: Advanced Prompt Engineering

  • Vector Data Base
  • LangChain with RAG and LLM Agents
  • Advanced Prompting Strategies (e.g., CoT, ReAct, DSP)

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you will dive deep into advanced prompting strategies like Chain of Thought and ReAct styles, grasp the fundamentals of Retrieval Augmented Generation using vector databases and decoder-only transformer models, build a RAG system from scratch in a hands-on activity, and enhance their problem-solving skills with LLM Agents.

The programme starts on December 2024

  • 4-Month Executive-friendly Programme
  • Best-in-class Learning Content, Industry Sessions, Quizzes, Mini Projects, and Assignments
  • 96 Hours of learning with impact supported by IISc Faculty-led sessions, best-in-class course content, insightful industry sessions, quizzes, case studies, mini projects, and capstones (Faculty-led LIVE Sessions will be held every weekend for 2-3 hours)

The programme will be delivered through faculty-led interactive live sessions on TalentSprint’s ipearl.ai. These online sessions will be held at a schedule convenient for working professionals. Participants can interact with the faculty through video, audio, and chat. They will also be able to chat with fellow programme participants during online sessions.

As per the programme norms, participants have to maintain at least 75% of attendance during the program. Going by the curriculum, it is recommended that participants maintain attendance for enriched learning. In unavoidable circumstances, one can access the recorded lectures on our platform to cover up for the missed sessions.

The programme includes continuous formative and summative assessments. The final scores will be determined based on the sum of the scores of various assessments.

Yes, participants are required to have their laptops.

Reading material (pre/post session) will be shared regularly through the Online Learning Management System. The access will be available for 1 year from the date of the commencement of the program.

A certificate of successful completion is provided upon completion of all requirements of the program. All examinations and evaluations related to the certification are carried out by IISc.

For programme fee-related details, please visit fee page Campus visit fee will be based on actuals and to be borne by the participants.

Yes, flexible EMI options enable you to pay the programme fee in instalments. Please contact your RM to know the details of the schemes available.

For scholarship-related details, please visit fee page. You can also reach out to your RM for more details.

No, the application fee is non-refundable.

No. The programme fee is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances.

Professionals have multiple options for funding.

  • Sponsored by employer
  • Self-funded: Based on our experience of enabling 3000+ professionals who have participated in our executive programs, self-funding is the most preferred option, with over 80% choosing this.
  • Three key reasons why professionals opt for it:
    • Freedom: To opt for a programme of their choice, at a time of their choice, with an institution of their choice and not be restrained by the organization’s policy.
    • Flexibility: To pursue greater career opportunities beyond their current employer or nurture their entrepreneurial ambitions.
    • Funding: Access to flexible EMI schemes (paying as low as Rs. 12500 per lac per month).

      • We have also observed that the commitment levels were higher among self-funding participants.

iPearl.ai (Interactive Platform for Experiential and Remote Learning) is created by TalentSprint’s engineering team led by our Chief Technology Officer, an IIT Kanpur alumni. The platform integrates best-in-class open-source technologies and SaaS services and perfected them over the last seven years.

When this platform was built, we intended to offer it to our partners and customers for digital learning and delivery. Since 2013, the platform has been extensively used by IIM Calcutta, IIT Kanpur, IIIT Hyderabad, and IIT Hyderabad, and many more of our customers and partners. More than 300,000 students have used this platform, which is reputed for user experience, quality, and scale.

This feature-rich platform has become so popular that some of our partners now use it for their academic needs.

  • The tried and tested direct-to-device platform enables 24 x 7 learning for its users. Some key benefits of the platform are:
  • Intuitive student experience through a user-friendly LMS
  • Seamless faculty experience through state-of-the-art Studios
  • Highly Interactive Online Classes
  • Effective group/peer learning/projects through Breakout Rooms
  • Proctored Online Assessments with detailed analysis
  • Insightful Reports on student engagement and performance
  • Flexible integration with other components, as needed

A comparative study of iPearl.ai against Canvas, Impartus, Moodle, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom was conducted. Features in the following categories were compared:

  • Instructor-led Learning
  • Self-paced Learning
  • Assessments/Evaluations
  • User Experience
  • Customer Support
  • Scalability and Performance
  • Integration and Customization
  • Others

Do not worry. If you miss a session, you will be given access to view the recorded version soon.

  • An internet-connected device, Computer/Laptop/Tablet/Smartphone, is enough to access the platform.
  • Web camera and Mic with necessary power backup will be needed for proctored online assessments.

The Advanced Certification Programme in Generative AI and Prompt Engineering will be delivered by IISc’s Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) in collaboration with TalentSprint. CCE offers courses suitably designed to meet the requirements of various target groups - aspiring research scientists, graduate engineers, and young professionals, enabling them to grow into competent managers of technology-intensive organizations. For more information, visit http://cce.iisc.ac.in

*Based on the metric of Citations per Faculty