Skip to main content

Individual Course

Agentic AI Foundations: Business Applications and Risks

Course Length

4 weeks

2–3 hours per week

Featuring faculty from:

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences LogoHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Certificate Price:

$ 595

Enroll by Jul 30, 2026

Enroll Now

Certificate Price:

$ 595

Enroll by Jul 30, 2026

Enroll Now

Agentic AI is changing how professionals and teams think about work, automation, and human-AI collaboration, moving us from tools that simply answer prompts to systems that can share in planning, execution, and decision-making.

This course examines how these shifts may change roles, workflows, and organizational structures in the years ahead. Led by Harvard Professor Hanspeter Pfister, this course guides you through the transition from generative AI, which primarily responds to prompts, to agentic AI: systems that can plan steps, call tools, interact with applications, and carry out complex tasks with varying levels of autonomy.

Through expert insights and real-world examples, you will explore the technology behind AI agents. You’ll learn how large language models serve as a foundation for agentic systems, and how agents use reasoning, task decomposition, and tool integration to turn simple prompts into multi-step actions.

You will also learn to identify high-potential uses for agentic AI in your own work while recognizing where human judgment should remain central. Along the way, you’ll consider key challenges such as hallucinations, bias, bad agents, data exposure, and governance, preparing you to evaluate when and how to use AI agents responsibly.

Self-Guided

Harvard Online

Certificates:

  • Individual Certificate
  • Certificate Program

Industries:

  • Technology
  • Consumer Products
  • Advertising/marketing/public Relations
  • Financial Services
  • Heilyn Fuselier
  • Cassiane Berghahn
  • Pantelis Nanis

Global Learning Community

  • Learn from real case studies
  • Do it on your own time
  • Earn a certificate, add it to your resume
  • Be part of the Harvard Community
Data Science for Business values

Course Syllabus

Agentic AI Foundations demystifies the transition from generative AI to autonomous agentic systems. You will explore the technology behind these systems, the risks they introduce, and how to lead effectively in an AI-augmented professional landscape.

Faculty

Your Instructor

Hanspeter Pfister

An Wang Professor of Computer Science, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University

Hanspeter Pfister is An Wang Professor of Computer Science in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. Before joining Harvard, he worked for over a decade at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories where he was Associate Director and Senior Research Scientist. He was the chief architect of VolumePro, Mitsubishi Electric's award-winning real-time volume rendering hardware for PCs. He is the recipient of the 2010 IEEE Visualization Technical Achievement award and the Petra T. Shattuck Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009. He is co-editor of the first textbook on Point-Based Computer Graphics, published by Elsevier in 2007, and was Technical Papers Chair for SIGGRAPH 2012.

Your Instructor

Mahzarin Banaji

Mahzarin Banaji , PhD, is the Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University and External Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. Professor Banaji is an experimental psychologist who co-developed the concept of “implicit bias” nearly 30 years ago and co-authored the New York Times best-selling book Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People. She is the recipient of seven honorary degrees, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Golden Goose Award from the United States Congress, the Morton Deutsch Award for Social Justice, and the Atkinson Prize from the National Academy of Sciences. Her lifetime contributions have been recognized by APA’s Award for Distinguished Scientific Contribution, and APS’s William James Fellow Award for “a lifetime of significant intellectual contributions to the basic science of psychology”, the Cattell Fellow Award for “a lifetime of applied psychological research” and the Mentor Award. She is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the British Academy, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.

Your Instructor

Edward J. Hall

Norman E. Vuilleumier Professor of Philosophy at Harvard University

Edward J. Hall works on a range of topics in metaphysics and epistemology that overlap with philosophy of science.He believes that philosophical discourse always goes better if the parties involved resolutely avoid any “burden-shifting” maneuvers, and that teaching always goes better if you bring cookies.

I am walking away with very concrete frameworks to evaluate multi-agent orchestration and mitigate real operational risks, such as the impact on technical team onboarding and the breakdown of logical workflows due to unexpected model responses.

Heilyn F.

Heilyn F.

AI Evaluation Engineer

This course shifted my perspective from using AI as a tool for isolated tasks to thinking about it as a system that can actively support and enhance both my work and personal productivity.

Cassiane B.

User Acquisition Manager

I've taken several courses, but this one was the one to help me best understand how I can use AI in my businesses.

Pantelis N.

Business Owner

After taking this course, I feel more prepared to lead conversations with executives, guide teams through AI-enabled workflows, and help organizations adopt AI in a way that is useful, ethical, and sustainable.

German Andres G.

Distinguished Architect

This course enriched my agentic AI literacy which I can apply in my day-to-day activities.

Pawan M.

Over the past year, I have been combining my territorial strategy and urban design background with a growing focus on AI safety, and I needed a foundational framework to understand the opportunities and risks from a business perspective. [This course] has revealed to me a scalable way of building agents. I have also learned a methodology to evaluate which tasks are best suited to be agentic. I have instantly adopted some recommended practices, as well as a research methodology using LLMs.

Oscar V.

Landscape Architect

This course helped understand Agentic AI, its applications, Its risks and its advantages. How to best use LLMs for fact checking and also that ultimate responsibility lies on us. AI is a great enabler but overall how we use is our responsibility. I will use it to increase efficiency at work as well for personal work.

Abhinav V.

Manager Professional Services

The Harvard Online Agentic AI course was highly relevant to my professional development and goals. It gave me a clear and practical understanding of how AI is evolving from generative tools into autonomous, tool-enabled and multi-agent systems. The course was particularly valuable in helping me shift my perspective from using AI mainly for task execution toward strategically defining goals, decomposing complex work, delegating appropriate activities to AI, and retaining human oversight and final decision-making.

Aung O.

UN Officer

This course helped me connect the opportunities of AI with the risks that matter in a regulated environment like banking: security, compliance, bias, hallucinations, auditability, and human accountability. This is directly aligned with my goal of supporting responsible AI transformation in my organization. The course also reinforced one important idea for me: AI should help people become more effective, not replace their judgment.

Shkelqim M.

Head of IT & Data

It is also a reminder that learning should not stop, especially in a field like AI that is changing so quickly. I value being part of a community that encourages critical thinking, responsible innovation, and practical application of knowledge in real work.

Shkelqim M.

Head of IT & Data

One of the most exceptional courses on Agentic AI today. The faculty -- particularly Hanspeter Pfister -- demonstrated a rare gift for translating complex technical concepts into clear, accessible frameworks. For any technology leader navigating the AI landscape, this course sets a new benchmark.

Rakesh K. S.

IT Professional

Through practical exercises, I gained valuable experience in how AI agents analyze information, make decisions, and perform tasks efficiently. Completing the training strengthened my technical skills and deepened my understanding of AI growing role and impact across industries, and most importantly the risks associated with AI and critical importance of AI human collaboration in high risk decisions, especially in legal, financial, regulatory aspects!

Merita

This course changed the way I think about AI. Instead of seeing AI as just a productivity tool, I now see it as a strategic partner that can reshape business processes and decision-making. The course provided practical frameworks that I can use immediately, making it one of the most valuable executive education experiences I have completed. As a business owner from Türkiye, I appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas across cultures and bring global perspectives back to my company.

Sadun B.

The Agentic AI Foundations course has transformed my work by helping me understand how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve productivity, and support better decision-making. As a patient observer, I learned that AI can assist with documentation, communication, and organizing information, allowing healthcare workers to spend more time caring for patients. It also taught me the importance of human oversight, ethics, and verifying AI-generated information.

Marie Suze L. J.

Patient Observer

Being part of the global Harvard learning community means joining a diverse, forward‑thinking network committed to curiosity, innovation, and continuous growth. It’s energising, inspiring, and reinforces my own commitment to lifelong learning in AI and beyond.

Vindhya M.

Senior Project Manager

The course has not only had an impact on my goals, but actually, my goals have shifted now that I have a better understanding of what is possibly using agentic AI. The course not only provided me with practical tips for integrating AI into the workplace, but it provoked deeper thought about how and where it should be used, how to get the best output, and importantly, how to use AI ethically.

Rachael M

Marketing

Learning Path in this topic

AI Leadership Series

The AI Leadership Series from Harvard Online is designed for professionals who want to lead with confidence in an AI-driven world.

See learning path

4 Courses available

Individual Certificate

Storytelling as Strategy: Narrative and AI

Sep 23, 2026 • 2–3 hours per week

Lead with stories that clarify, align, and inspire action.

  • Advertising Marketing Public Relations
  • Consumer Products
  • +4
  • Featured
Storytelling as Strategy: Narrative and AI

Microcredential

Adaptability, Resilience, and AI

Sep 30, 2026 • 2–4 hours

Turn AI anxiety into bold, values-driven action.

  • Government
  • Education
  • +2
  • Featured
Adaptability, Resilience, and AI

Individual Certificate

Reinventing the Organization with AI

Coming soon • 2–3 hours per week

Scale AI adoption with strategy, trust, and compliance.

  • Health Care
  • Government
  • +4
  • Featured
Reinventing the Organization with AI

Individual Certificate

Problem Solving and AI

Coming soon • 2–3 hours per week

Solve high-stakes problems with AI as your partner.

  • Technology
  • Financial Services
  • +4
  • Featured
Problem Solving and AI

Upskill your team

Learn more about our solutions for groups

Engaging learning experiences and high-quality online content that can be delivered at scale

Solutions that focus on today’s in-demand skill areas to help attract, retain and future-proof your workforce

A variety of formats, from long-form courses that replicate an on-campus classroom experience to short-form content

Interaction with a global community of learners and leaders looking to develop their workforce, grow their business, and change the world

Past Participant Discounts

Learners who have enrolled in at least one qualifying Harvard Online program receive a 30% discount on this course. Select Past Participant Discounts are automatically applied to the Program Fee upon time of payment.

Learners who have earned a verified certificate for a HarvardX course hosted on the edX platform are eligible to receive a 30% discount on this course using a discount code. Discounts are not available after you've submitted payment, so if you think you are eligible for a discount on a registration, please check your email for a code or contact us.

Nonprofit, Government, Military, and Education Discounts

Eligibility is determined by a prospective learner’s email address, ending in .org, .gov, .mil, or .edu. Interested learners can apply below for the discount and, if eligible, will receive a promo code to enter when completing payment information to enroll in a Harvard Online program.

FAQs

We offer 30% discounts to past participants of select Harvard Online courses. We also offer discounts on select courses to learners who work in nonprofits, government, military, or education, or are U.S. veterans. You can find more information about current discounts and eligibility on our course policies and discounts page.

Apply for a Discount

Once you've earned your Certificate of Completion, list it on your resume along with the date of completion:

List your certificate on your LinkedIn profile under "Education" as follows:

School: Harvard Online

For the program description on LinkedIn, please use the following:

Agentic AI Foundations: Business Applications and Risks explores how agentic AI uses reasoning, planning, and tools to automate complex workflows responsibly

After the final deadline in your course, our team reviews all participant coursework. Once this review is complete, you’ll be notified of your final eligibility via email. Certificates are currently available as Certified Electronic Credentials. Your Certified Electronic Credential will be delivered to your email address after this review of coursework is complete.

You are expected to complete all coursework in a thoughtful and timely way. This includes completing the modules and fully answering the questions in each module between the course start and end dates so that the cohort can move through the course at a similar pace and benefit from social learning opportunities. ⁠In addition to completing modules and assignments, you are expected to provide feedback on other learners’ reflections and contribute to discussions on the platform.

⁠You can set your own daily or weekly routine and adjust it as needed, but to receive your certificate you must complete all modules and assignments by the stated course end date. Learners who do not complete the course requirements will not receive a certificate and will not be eligible to retake the course. No letter grades are assigned for this course; your participation is evaluated on a complete or incomplete basis.

For detailed information about technology and bandwidth requirements, please see our full Harvard Online FAQs.

There is no application required for this course. You can enroll directly through Harvard Online if you are at least 18 years old, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

Upon successful completion of this program, you will receive a digital Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online. Our team reviews all participant coursework after the final deadline in your course, and, once eligibility is confirmed, your Certified Electronic Credential will be delivered to your email address.

You will have access to the materials in every prior module as you progress through the program. Access to course materials and the course platform ends 60 days after the final deadline in the program.

Related Blogs