Simplilearn, a global leader in digital upskilling, in collaboration with UC Santa Barbara Professional and Continuing Education (UCSB PaCE), has launched the Agentic AI for Leaders: Systems, Design & Impact program to train professionals with agentic AI capabilities grounded in real-world implementation. The program features live virtual classes with access to session recordings through Simplilearn’s LMS, complemented by online self-learning (OSL) modules for Microsoft content. The curriculum covers Python with AI, Foundations of AI, and Agentic AI, Multi-Agent Ecosystem, Model Context, Tooling Protocol, and prepares experienced professionals to build and lead agentic AI systems. It blends multi-agent orchestration, hands-on technical learning, and product strategy to design and manage next-generation autonomous AI solutions. The learning journey runs for 10 weeks, with a recommended commitment of six to eight hours per week.
Recent reports indicate that 66% of companies utilizing AI agents have experienced productivity gains, and 88% of executives plan to increase AI budgets by May 2026. The rise of agentic AI is making organizations plan their shift from experimentation to large-scale deployment. The program reflects this shift by incorporating GenAI tools and technologies through dedicated electives and practical learning. The curriculum includes a masterclass on building and deploying agentic AI solutions using Copilot Studio and AutoGen. Delivered through a live session led by a Microsoft-certified trainer, the masterclass demonstrates how low-code and open-source tools can accelerate development and support real-world deployment of agentic systems in business settings.
The program features 40+ demos, 10+ guided practices, 30+ tools and frameworks, and 7 hands-on course-end projects. It concludes with a comprehensive capstone where learners design and assemble a four-agent system that performs coordinated market research and go-to-market analysis. There will be peer-to-peer engagement on Slack and a dedicated cohort support throughout the learning journey.
Speaking about the program, Mr. Kashyap Dalal, Co-founder and COO of Simplilearn, said, “Agentic AI represents the next phase of AI adoption, where systems move from assisting tasks to autonomously reasoning, planning, and executing workflows. Our collaboration with UCSB PaCE aims to deliver both academic depth and strong industry relevance. The program holistically integrates a structured learning path which covers Foundations of AI and Agentic AI, the Generative AI tech stack, and prompt engineering, along with an optional Python Refresher with AI to ensure learners are well ready for real-world applications.”
Simplilearn’s Career Support Services is an integral part of the program, supporting the learner’s professional journey. The support framework offers targeted job assistance and extended guidance to help turn job searches into success stories, including career services workshops, networking, interview preparation, assessments, and AI-powered profile optimization.
Sharing his thoughts about the collaboration with Simplilearn, Denis Couturier, Dean at UCSB PaCE said, “We are glad to collaborate with Simplilearn to support learning that contributes to the future of AI development. Through this collaboration, we are aiming to prepare professionals who will build interfaces and design intelligent behaviors. This specific program focuses on every aspect of an agentic model’s success, from frameworks to multi-agent coordination to prompt engineering. Moreover, the course outcome is aligned with hands-on exposure to industry tools and real-world projects. As an institution, we see this as an important need to support professionals navigating the next phase of making the most out of technologies around AI.”
Learners will earn a certificate of completion from UC Santa Barbara Professional and Continuing Education and Simplilearn. They will also earn Microsoft Learn badges on the Microsoft Learn portal for the Microsoft-branded courses.
