I Didn’t Want to Just Learn Prompt Engineering

chetna mathur — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 06:32:20 +0000

When I started exploring Generative AI, I noticed something quickly: a lot of courses focused heavily on prompting, using existing AI tools, and getting better outputs from them.

That wasn't enough for me.

I wanted to understand what happens behind the interface like how large language models work, how AI systems process information, how agents can reason and act, and how multiple AI systems can work together to solve a larger business problem.

That's what drew me to the Generative AI & Agentic AI programme from IIT Kharagpur What interested me was the broader scope. Instead of looking at GenAI as simply another productivity tool, I wanted to understand the technologies that are making AI systems more capable — from LLMs and Generative AI to Agentic AI and autonomous workflows.

I also liked the fact that the programme combines conceptual understanding with practical applications. For me, learning AI isn't particularly useful if I understand the terminology but can't connect it to how these systems are actually being developed or used in organisations.

The IIT Kharagpur association was another factor. When you're investing significant time into learning an emerging technology, I think the academic credibility of the institution matters, especially when you want the learning to have value beyond simply completing a short online certification.

I'm not trying to become someone who simply knows how to use ChatGPT better.

I want to understand how these technologies work, how to build with them, and where they can actually create value.

That distinction between using AI tools and understanding how to build AI-powered systems is ultimately what made this programme interesting to me.

DEV Community: chetna mathur

I Didn’t Want to Just Learn Prompt Engineering