In a significant move to empower professionals with cutting-edge skills, the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has announced the launch of a comprehensive Certificate in Generative AI. This new program is set to begin in 2026 and is offered through the institute's Technocraft Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence.
Program Details and Target Audience
The five-month online certificate program is a collaborative effort between IIT Bombay's faculty and the edtech company Great Learning. It is specifically tailored for a wide range of professionals aiming to master the transformative technology of Generative AI. The course is ideal for software engineers, data scientists, analysts, product owners, technology professionals, product managers, STEM graduates, and GenAI enthusiasts.
These individuals are typically seeking to build and operate GenAI systems, integrate them into business workflows, and unlock new career opportunities in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. To be eligible, candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 50% or equivalent CGPA.
A Practical, Industry-Aligned Curriculum
According to a statement from Great Learning, the program features an industry-aligned curriculum with a strong practical focus. It adopts an LLM-first approach across five detailed modules. The learning journey starts with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and large language models.
Learners will then progress to critical areas such as prompt design, model adaptation using proprietary data, and the development of copilot tools and multi-step workflows. The program culminates with crucial topics on the deployment and security of GenAI solutions. Throughout the course, practical projects reinforce learning, ensuring participants gain hands-on experience in building scalable, real-world AI applications.
Leadership Perspectives on the Initiative
Highlighting the importance of the program, Prof. Manjesh K. Hanawal from IIT Bombay stated, "Generative AI marks one of the most significant technological shifts of our time... This certificate course underscores IIT Bombay’s commitment to enhance conceptual understanding with practical implementation." He emphasized that the course will equip learners to not just use AI tools, but to understand which GenAI model is best suited for specific use cases and to design reliable solutions.
Echoing this sentiment, Mohan Lakhamraju, Founder and CEO of Great Learning, said, "Generative AI has evolved from a niche technology to a core professional skill... This program helps professionals move beyond experimentation to truly understand how GenAI works, what it can achieve, and how to apply it meaningfully to real-world challenges." He noted that the program deepens their collaboration with IIT Bombay, reflecting a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of AI talent.
Upon successful completion of this intensive program, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from IIT Bombay, a credential that carries significant weight in the global technology industry. Registration for this hands-on online certificate is scheduled to commence in 2026.
