Generative AI to Agentic AI: 6-Week Learning Path for Beginners

Week 1: Introduction to AI and Generative AI

1. AI FundamentalsDistinguish between AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning.Understand how Generative AI fits into the broader AI landscape.
2. Generative AI OverviewLearn about Large Language Models (LLMs) (e.g., GPT) and how they generate text. Explore Transformer architecture concepts (self-attention, next-word prediction).
3. Hands-on with OpenAICreate an OpenAI account and get an API key.Experiment in the OpenAI Playground with prompts (e.g., “Write a short poem about the ocean”). Try a basic Python script or another language to call the OpenAI API.

Week 2: Practical Generative AI Applications

1. OpenAI Playground & API UsageAdjust model parameters like temperature and top_p. Practice prompt engineering to get various text outputs (short vs. detailed responses).
2. n8n IntegrationInstall or access n8n (cloud or self-hosted).Use the OpenAI node to automate text generation (e.g., product descriptions).Observe data flow in n8n (trigger → OpenAI → output).
3. AI Workflow ExperimentsCombine multiple n8n nodes: log outputs to Google Sheets, send Slack messages, etc. Automate tasks like summaries of RSS feed articles or short social media posts.

Week 3: Understanding Agentic AI

1. Concept of Agentic AIGrasp how AI agents differ from plain LLM usage (decision-making + actions). Recognize the plan → act → observe loop that defines autonomy.
2. Frameworks: LangChain & CrewAIOverview of LangChain for chaining LLM calls + tools. Introduction to CrewAI for multi-agent orchestration.
3. Hands-on: Simple CrewAI AssistantInstall CrewAI and create a single agent with a basic goal (e.g., “summarize articles”). Use at least one tool (web search or wiki) to see how the agent retrieves info.Observe how the agent merges retrieval with LLM-based reasoning.

Week 4: Automating Workflows with n8n and AI Agents

1. n8n Triggers & APIsExplore different trigger nodes in n8n: Webhook, Chat, Schedule, etc.Understand how to send data to an AI agent and retrieve outputs automatically.
2. Hands-on Chatbot with n8nCreate a Chat Trigger in n8n to capture user questions.Use either LangChain or n8n’s AI Agent node to process the queries. Return responses via the chat interface or a webhook response.
3. Combining LLMs & Agentic FlowsLet the agent decide which APIs or tools to call (e.g., search, DB lookup). Expand the workflow: log messages to a database or forward certain queries to an expert agent.

Week 5: Advanced AI Agents with CrewAI & AutoGPT

1. Multi-Agent WorkflowsExplore more complex tasks: research & writing or content creation with multiple agents.Learn about memory and planning for advanced autonomy.
2. Hands-on: Research & Writing AgentDefine two agents in CrewAI (e.g., “Researcher” + “Writer”).Have the Researcher gather facts (using a web-search tool), and the Writer compile them into a draft.Observe how CrewAI manages agent interactions and data handoff.

Week 6: Real-World Project & Next Steps

1. Personal AI ProjectChoose a use case (e.g., an AI assistant for your personal tasks, a mini helpdesk bot, a content summarizer).Combine Generative (LLM-driven) + Agentic (automation & decision-making) features. Build an end-to-end workflow (e.g., n8n or CrewAI or both).
2. Deployment & Best PracticesEnsure error handling, logging, and API usage limits are in place.Add security (securing webhooks, storing API keys safely). Monitor performance and iterate on prompts or agent logic.
3. Explore Career Paths & Advanced TopicsLook into fine-tuning LLMs, Prompt Engineering roles, or AI Automation Engineer positions. Investigate multi-modal AI (images, audio), RLHF, or more advanced frameworks. Join AI communities (Discord, Slack, Reddit) to learn from peers and stay updated on new tools.

Tips & Resources

• Prompts & Tuning: Mastering prompt design greatly improves generative outputs.
• Framework Tutorials: Dive into official docs (OpenAI, n8n, CrewAI, LangChain) for step-by-step guides.
• Community Support: Forums, Discord servers, Reddit groups (e.g., r/LocalLLaMA, r/n8n_io, r/LanguageTechnology) are invaluable.

This 6-week roadmap provides progressive exposure from basic LLM usage (Weeks 1-2), to agentic concepts (Weeks 3-5), and finally a real-world project (Week 6). By the end, you’ll have hands-on experience building Generative & Agentic AI solutions, giving you both theory and practical skills for today’s fast-evolving AI landscape.