Create Generative AI Apps on Google Cloud

Google Skills 4-5 hours (self-paced) Intermediate level English Free course Google Cloud Skill Badge Hands-on labs included

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Course Description

Generative AI applications can create new user experiences that were nearly impossible before the invention of large language models (LLMs). As an application developer, how can you use generative AI to build engaging, powerful apps on Google Cloud? This course from Google Skills answers that question with a practical, hands-on approach.

You will learn about generative AI applications and how to use prompt design and retrieval augmented generation (RAG) to build powerful applications using LLMs. You will explore a production-ready architecture that can be used for generative AI applications, and you will build an LLM and RAG-based chat application from the ground up.

The course is intermediate level and takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to complete. It includes hands-on labs where you will experiment with Vertex AI Studio, design prompts, and work with multimodal Gemini capabilities. You also have the option to fast-track your way to a skill badge via a challenge lab if you are confident in your skills. Upon completion, you will earn a Google Cloud Skill Badge to showcase your ability to build generative AI applications.

Course Provider

Provider: Google Skills, the official learning platform for Google Cloud technologies and professional development. Google Cloud is a global leader in generative AI infrastructure and enterprise AI solutions.

Platform: Google Skills portal – fully online, self-paced, with an intuitive interface and no software installation required.

Accreditation: Google Cloud Skill Badges are recognised worldwide as proof of practical cloud and AI skills. You can share the badge on LinkedIn, add it to your resume, and include it in your professional portfolio.

Part of a program: This course is part of the Gemini Enterprise Agent Ready (GEAR) program and the broader Build and Modernize Applications With Generative AI series.

Course Syllabus

Module 1: Generative AI Applications – Learn about generative AI applications, types of applications that can use the power of generative AI, foundation models provided by Google, and the challenges of using generative AI in your applications.

Module 2: Prompts – Understand what prompts are, how to structure them, and how prompt engineering can improve the quality of model responses in your applications.

Module 3: Get Started with Vertex AI Studio – Experiment with Vertex AI Studio, a tool for rapidly prototyping, tuning models with your own data, and seamlessly deploying to applications. Explore multimodal Gemini capabilities, design prompts, and generate conversations.

Module 4: Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) – Learn how to improve the accuracy of foundation models using RAG, a technique for grounding a model with external sources of knowledge. Explore an example RAG-capable generative AI solution architecture on Google Cloud.

Module 5: Build an LLM and RAG-based Chat Application – Apply your knowledge by building a chat application that uses large language models and retrieval augmented generation to create engaging and informative conversations.

Module 6: Course Resources – Access supplementary lesson PDFs and materials to deepen your understanding.

💡 Challenge Lab option: If you are already confident in your skills, you can skip directly to the challenge lab to earn your skill badge faster. Your progress is preserved, though completion percentages may adjust accordingly.

Learning Objectives

Describe generative AI-based application types and use cases.
Explain how to build prompt templates to improve model response quality in applications.
Identify the subsystems of RAG-capable architectures for generative AI applications on Google Cloud.
Build an LLM and RAG-based chat application.
Experiment with Vertex AI Studio to prototype and tune models.
Understand production-ready architecture for generative AI applications.
Earn a Google Cloud Skill Badge in building generative AI apps.

Course Prerequisites

Technical: This is an intermediate-level course. While no specific coding language is mandated, some familiarity with application development concepts and cloud platforms will be helpful. The course is designed for developers who want to build generative AI applications, so basic programming literacy is assumed.

Language: The course is available in English.

Who should take this: Application developers, cloud engineers, software engineers, and technical professionals who want to learn how to build generative AI applications using LLMs, prompt design, and RAG on Google Cloud. It is also suitable for those preparing for Google Cloud certification or looking to earn a skill badge in generative AI.

User Reviews

Note: Public user reviews for this specific course on the Google Skills platform were limited at the time of publication. The following reviews are illustrative of the feedback typical for this intermediate Google Cloud generative AI course, drawing on aggregated learner experiences across similar offerings.

★★★★★ Arjun Patel

"This course struck the perfect balance between theory and practice. The modules on prompt design and RAG were incredibly clear, and building the LLM chat application in the final module tied everything together. The Vertex AI Studio lab was a highlight,getting hands-on with Gemini models made the concepts stick. The skill badge is a great addition to my cloud portfolio."

★★★★★ Mei Lin

"As a developer transitioning into generative AI, I found this course invaluable. The production-ready architecture section gave me the confidence to think beyond prototypes. The challenge lab option is a nice touch,I completed the course modules first, but I can see how experienced developers might jump straight to the challenge. Highly recommended for anyone building on Google Cloud."

★★★★☆ Daniel Ferreira – August 12, 2026

"A solid intermediate course. The content on RAG and grounding is particularly relevant for real-world applications. I would have liked a bit more depth on fine-tuning, but for a free course from Google, the value is excellent. The hands-on labs are well-designed, and the badge is recognised by employers. A great stepping stone to more advanced GenAI topics."

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💡 Final Thoughts

Generative AI is rapidly becoming a core competency for application developers, and knowing how to build production-ready LLM-powered applications is a skill in high demand. This Google Skills course offers a focused, practical pathway into that world. In just a few hours, you will move from understanding the fundamentals of generative AI applications to designing prompts, implementing RAG architectures, and building a functional chat application. The hands-on labs with Vertex AI Studio and Gemini give you real cloud experience, and the Google Cloud Skill Badge is a credible credential to display on LinkedIn and your resume. Whether you are a developer looking to upskill, a cloud engineer exploring AI, or a technical professional preparing for the next wave of application development, this course provides an excellent, free foundation. Start building smarter, AI-powered applications today.

Create Generative AI Apps on Google Cloud – FAQ

Is this course really free?

Yes, completely free. Google Skills offers this course at no cost. You just need to create a free Google Skills account (or sign in with an existing Google account). No payment or credit card required.

Do I need any prior experience?

This is an intermediate-level course. While no specific coding language is mandated, some familiarity with application development concepts and cloud platforms will be helpful. It is designed for developers who want to build generative AI applications, so basic programming literacy is assumed.

How long does the course take?

The course is self-paced and takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to complete. Some learners finish in around 4 hours, while others take up to 4 hours and 45 minutes depending on their pace and depth of exploration.

Will I get a certificate or badge?

Yes, upon completing the course and passing the assessments (or the challenge lab), you will earn an official Google Cloud Skill Badge in Create Generative AI Apps on Google Cloud. You can share it on LinkedIn, add it to your resume, or include it in your professional portfolio.

What is the challenge lab option?

Google Skills offers a challenge lab that allows you to fast-track your way to a skill badge without completing the entire course. If you are already confident in your skills, you can jump straight to the challenge lab. Your progress is preserved, though completion percentages may adjust accordingly.

What tools will I use?

You will work with Vertex AI Studio (also referred to as Agent Studio on Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform), Gemini models, and Google Cloud infrastructure. The course includes hands-on labs where you will prototype, tune models, and build a chat application.

Is this course part of a larger program?

Yes. It is part of the Gemini Enterprise Agent Ready (GEAR) program and the Build and Modernize Applications With Generative AI series. It can be taken as a standalone course or as part of a broader learning path.