Generative AI and its Systems - MERIT Short Course Series

Generative AI and its Systems is a MOOC provided by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), designed within the framework of the Digital Europe Programme-funded MERIT project. The course introduces the principles of generative artificial intelligence, its system architectures, and its practical applications across different domains.

About this course

This course provides an introduction to generative artificial intelligence, covering its main principles, models, and types. Participants will explore how generative AI systems produce text, images, and other forms of data, as well as how these systems are applied in real-world scenarios across different fields.

A key focus of the course is on responsible and informed use of generative AI. Ethical, legal, and societal considerations are discussed, including the implications of using AI-generated content in academic, professional, and industrial contexts.

The course also introduces modern generative AI system architectures, including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks and Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). Learners will study how these approaches enhance model performance, enable interaction with external knowledge sources, and support complex task decomposition across multiple AI agents. Existing generative AI systems are analyzed in the context of different application areas and data types.

Course details

• Format: Online, self-paced
• Training dates: Flexible start and completion (ideal for independent learning)
• Duration: Approximately 6–8 weeks (depending on pace)
• Mode: Includes video lectures, case studies, system analysis exercises, and practical assignments

Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles, types, and capabilities of generative artificial intelligence.
• Recognize ethical, legal, and societal implications of generative AI use.
• Explain the principles and applications of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems.
• Understand the structure and functioning of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS).
• Analyze existing generative AI systems across different application domains.
• Evaluate the suitability of generative AI solutions for different types of data and tasks.
• Apply conceptual knowledge of generative AI systems to real-world scenarios.

Prerequisites

The course is intended for beginners and does not require prior experience in artificial intelligence. Participants should have basic digital literacy and an interest in AI technologies and their applications.

Enrolment details

To access the course, register in the learning platform at https://mima112.eu/moodle (or log in with an existing account). Then select the Generative AI and its Systems course and use the enrolment key MERIT_GAI. Your enrolment will remain active for 60 days.