Introduction to AI Agents and Prompt Engineering

Artificial intelligence is evolving from simple chat interfaces into active partners that can execute complex tasks on your behalf. Understanding how AI agents operate and how to guide them through precise prompting is the key to unlocking their true potential. In this text-only course, you will build a solid foundation in modern prompt engineering and AI agent architectures. You will transition from writing basic search queries to designing structured prompts and workflows that direct AI assistants, like Copilot, to perform reliable, multi-step actions. What you will learn: 1. Understand the core concepts of AI agents and how they differ from standard language models. 2. Master prompt engineering techniques, including role-playing, few-shot prompting, and chain-of-thought reasoning. 3. Optimize your interactions with Copilot and other AI assistants to get accurate, context-aware results. 4. Explore foundational agent patterns, including tool usage, retrieval-augmented generation basics, and feedback loops. 5. Practice crafting structured prompts through written exercises and real-world scenario analyses. 6. Avoid common prompting pitfalls such as hallucination and context window limitations. The course begins with essential definitions of AI terminology before moving into practical prompting strategies and structured agent workflows. You will progress through clear, text-based explanations and step-by-step written examples designed to build your confidence. This course is designed for beginners who want to work more efficiently with AI, with no prior programming or technical background required. Start reading today to master the art of prompting and harness the power of AI agents.