A practical, foundations-focused program for professionals from all backgrounds. Learn how Generative AI (LLMs, knowledge representation, IR/RAG) works, where it helps in business, and how to use it responsibly — no deep technical prerequisites required.
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Practical Generative AI foundations for decision-makers and practitioners.
GenAI Bootcamp: The Basics (5 CFU, in English) provides a rigorous yet accessible path to understanding and using Generative AI in business contexts. You will learn how Large Language Models work, how to structure knowledge with knowledge bases and ontologies, and how to pair generation with retrieval (RAG) for reliable answers. Ethical and privacy considerations (incl. GDPR) are addressed throughout. The program is delivered online on Fridays 14:00–18:00 and Saturdays 09:00–13:00, from March 27, 2026 to May 30, 2026.
| Key Details | |
|---|---|
| Course Period | Mar 27, 2026 – May 30, 2026 |
| Format | Online (Fri 14:00–18:00 · Sat 09:00–13:00) |
| Language | English |
| Credits (CFU) | 5 CFU |
| Total Hours | 40 hrs (distance learning) |
| Additional Details | |
|---|---|
| Attendance |
70%
|
| Cost | €940,00 (two installments: €658,00 + €282,00) |
| Location | Online |
| Pre-enrolment Deadline | 2nd March 2026 |
Expected outcomes (Dublin descriptors).
Understand how LLMs and transformers work, text representation, knowledge bases/ontologies, IR and RAG; grasp ethical/privacy constraints (e.g., GDPR).
Apply prompt engineering, NLP basics and RAG to build practical chatbots/assistants and information access workflows, using accessible tools.
Evaluate when to adopt GenAI vs. supervised or rules-based approaches; balance limits, risks, and benefits to choose sustainable solutions.
Translate technical concepts (NLP, embeddings, RAG, ontologies) for non-specialists; communicate risks, limits and compliance clearly.
Develop autonomous, continuous learning paths for both STEM and non-technical participants; leverage open resources and collaborative problem-solving.
Five focused blocks (1 CFU each).
| # | Thematic Area | Title | Instructor | CFU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Generative AI | From Rules to Intelligence: Foundations of Language Technology | Prof. Giorgio Satta | 1 |
| 2 | Introduction to Generative AI | Prompt Engineering & Knowledge Graphs: Your AI Toolkit | Prof. Gianmaria Silvello | 1 |
| 3 | GenAI in Action | From Query to Insight: Generative AI for Search | Prof. Nicola Ferro | 1 |
| 4 | How Generative AI Works | Responsible GenAI: Ethics, Regulations, and Privacy Foundations | Dr. Guglielmo Faggioli | 1 |
| 5 | GenAI in Action | The Knowledge Engine: From Databases to Generative AI | Prof. Gianmaria Silvello | 1 |
The three pillars around which content is organized.
Historical evolution to transformers/LLMs; text representation & embeddings; where GenAI helps and where it doesn’t; hands-on with prompts and basic chatbots.
Foundations of model behavior, limits and risks; responsible use (GDPR, privacy-by-design), and practical data protection techniques.
IR/RAG for accurate answers; knowledge bases/graphs and ontologies for structure; building reliable enterprise assistants powered by retrieval + generation.
Eligibility, selection and seats.
To join GenAI Bootcamp: The Basics, candidates should follow these guidelines:
The course takes place between the 27th March 2026 and the 6th June 2026.
| Date | Timing |
|---|---|
| Friday 27th March | 4h - afternoon |
| Saturday 28th March | 4h - morning |
| Friday 10th April | 4h - afternoon |
| Saturday 11th April | 4h - morning |
| Friday 17th April | 4h - afternoon |
| Saturday 18th April | 4h - morning |
| Friday 8th May | 4h - afternoon |
| Saturday 9th May | 4h - morning |
| Friday 15th May | 4h - afternoon |
| Saturday 16th May | 4h - morning |
| Total hours: 40h | |
How progress is evaluated.
| Assessment Details | |
|---|---|
| Final Exam | Written exam. |
| Ongoing Verification | Multiple-choice quizzes during the course. |
| Credits | 5 CFU (attendance requirement: 70%). |
Course Director and internal organizing committee.
Gianmaria Silvello
Department of Information Engineering (DEI),
Università degli Studi di Padova
049 827 7932
Professors and researchers from Università di Padova
| Name | Role / Qualifica | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Giorgio Satta | Full Professor | Università degli Studi di Padova |
| Nicola Ferro | Full Professor | Università degli Studi di Padova |
| Gianmaria Silvello | Full Professor | Università degli Studi di Padova |
| Guglielmo Faggioli | Postdoctoral Researcher | Università degli Studi di Padova |
Meet the professors and experts leading this bootcamp.
Responsible GenAI & Privacy
IR & RAG for Search
NLP Foundations
Prompting & Knowledge Graphs
What Generative AI can achieve.
Combine structured knowledge with retrieval-augmented generation to deliver accurate, up-to-date assistance for business processes — while respecting privacy and compliance.