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Generative AI & RAG learning pathStep-by-step roadmap to learn Generative AI & RAG in 2026

Generative AI creates text, code and images from prompts. This path goes from how large language models work to building with their APIs, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agents and LLMOps.

3stages
6steps
58hours of skills
0%your progress

Generative AI & RAG roadmap

Open any step to see its lessons, tools and lab, and mark it as learning or done. Your progress is saved in this browser only.

1

Foundations

2 steps · 20 hours
Python fundamentals12h

Write clean, working Python programs

What you learn

  • Syntax, variables and data types
  • Control flow and functions
  • Lists, dicts and comprehensions
  • Files, modules and packages
  • Errors and exceptions
  • Virtual environments and pip

Tools

PythonVS Code

Hands-on lab

Build a command-line tool that cleans and summarises CSV data

Learn it at SOTT

Generative AI & RAG Engineering · AI Agents with LLMs · Build with LLM APIs: OpenAI, Claude & Gemini

LLM fundamentals8h

Use LLMs effectively and responsibly

What you learn

  • How large language models work
  • Tokens, context windows and cost
  • Prompt engineering
  • Structured output
  • Safety, bias and limits

Tools

OpenAIClaudeGemini

Hands-on lab

A reusable prompt library for real tasks

Learn it at SOTT

Generative AI & RAG Engineering · AI Agents with LLMs · Build with LLM APIs: OpenAI, Claude & Gemini

2

Core skills

2 steps · 20 hours
Building with LLM APIs8h

Integrate leading LLMs into real applications

What you learn

  • OpenAI API
  • Anthropic Claude API
  • Google Gemini API
  • Streaming and function calling
  • Cost, rate limits and model choice

Tools

OpenAI APIClaude APIGemini API

Hands-on lab

One app that can switch between three model providers

Learn it at SOTT

Generative AI & RAG Engineering · AI Agents with LLMs · Build with LLM APIs: OpenAI, Claude & Gemini

Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)12h

Make LLMs answer accurately from your own data

What you learn

  • Chunking strategies
  • Embeddings
  • Vector databases
  • Hybrid search and re-ranking
  • Evaluating RAG answers

Tools

LangChainLlamaIndexpgvector

Hands-on lab

Chat-with-your-docs assistant with citations

Learn it at SOTT

Generative AI & RAG Engineering · AI Agents with LLMs · Build with LLM APIs: OpenAI, Claude & Gemini

3

Advanced

2 steps · 18 hours
AI agents10h

Build AI agents that take safe actions

What you learn

  • Tool and function calling
  • Planning and memory
  • Multi-agent patterns
  • Model Context Protocol (MCP)
  • Guardrails and human approval

Tools

LangGraphMCP

Hands-on lab

Customer-support agent that looks up orders

Learn it at SOTT

Generative AI & RAG Engineering · AI Agents with LLMs · Build with LLM APIs: OpenAI, Claude & Gemini

LLMOps8h

Run LLM applications reliably in production

What you learn

  • Prompt versioning
  • Evaluation suites
  • Tracing and observability
  • Guardrails
  • Cost control

Tools

LangSmithLangfuse

Hands-on lab

Evaluation harness that scores every release

Learn it at SOTT

Generative AI & RAG Engineering · AI Agents with LLMs · LLMOps & AI Observability

Courses that take you there

How it compares

RAG vs fine-tuning

RAG gives a model your documents at question time, so answers stay current and can cite sources. Fine-tuning changes the model itself, which suits style and format more than facts.

Generative AI & RAG learning path FAQ

How long does it take to learn Generative AI & RAG?+
This path covers about 58 hours of hands-on learning across 6 modules. How quickly you finish depends on your starting point and weekly time; our advisors can plan a timeline that fits you.
Where should I start?+
With the Foundations stage: Python fundamentals and LLM fundamentals. If you already know a topic, mark it as done and move to the next one.
What is the difference: RAG vs fine-tuning?+
RAG gives a model your documents at question time, so answers stay current and can cite sources. Fine-tuning changes the model itself, which suits style and format more than facts.
Which SOTT courses cover this path?+
Generative AI & RAG Engineering, AI Agents with LLMs, Build with LLM APIs: OpenAI, Claude & Gemini and LLMOps & AI Observability. Each one is taught live, in our Chennai classroom or online, with hands-on labs and placement assistance.
I have another question. Who can I ask?+
Our advisors are happy to help. Call or WhatsApp us, or send a message from the Contact page, and we will get back to you within one working day.

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