Harnessing the Power of AI Agents

AI agents are beginning to reshape the workplace, taking on tasks such as research, travel coordination, and customer support.

This course introduces professionals to the core ideas behind autonomous systems and explores how AI agents can be deployed thoughtfully in real-world settings using accessible, no-code tools.

Students will develop a clear understanding of what AI agents are, how they operate, and how technologies such as retrieval-augmented generation, web search, and tool-calling enable agents to act with increasing independence.

Alongside these capabilities, the course examines practical concerns around reliability, oversight, and ethical use.

Designed for non-technical participants, the course focuses on helping students identify meaningful use cases and assess where agentic AI can add value within their organizations.

Through guided examples and live demonstrations, students will observe the full lifecycle of designing, launching, and evaluating AI agents, gaining a practical framework for adopting these systems responsibly and effectively.

No coding background is required.

This course will demonstrate third-party AI tools that are not managed or supported by Stanford.

Students can explore these tools on their own if they like, but use is optional.

Many tools offer free versions or trials; paid subscriptions, if chosen, typically range from $25–$100 per month.

See the syllabus for more details.