Semantic Kernel SDK for Intelligent Applications

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Unlock the full potential of AI-driven business solutions with the Semantic Kernel SDK. This course equips you with the knowledge to integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) and generative AI into your applications using Microsoft’s Semantic Kernel. You'll gain a deep understanding of how to create intelligent agents, build chat applications, and design plugins tailored to business needs. The course begins with foundational concepts, including LLMs, generative AI, and the role of Semantic Kernel in modern applications. You’ll set up your development environment using tools like Visual Studio, VS Code, and Azure, preparing you for hands-on development. Next, you’ll dive into building your own Semantic Kernel, creating AI-powered chat applications, and configuring Azure OpenAI resources. In the second half, you'll focus on extending the functionality of Semantic Kernel through built-in and custom plugins. You'll design career advisor tools, integrate personas, and manage prompts effectively. The course also covers native functions, their automation, and how to enhance interactions using function-prompt combinations. This course is ideal for developers, software engineers, and tech-savvy business professionals interested in building AI-powered applications. A basic understanding of programming and familiarity with development environments like Visual Studio or Azure is recommended. The course is designed at an intermediate level.