Coursera is running a  global New Year promotion offering 50% discount on Cousera Plus for new subscribers. For small businesses in the US and Europe there's is a similar 50% discount for "Coursera for Teams". So what better time to discover the latest certifications to boost your resume.

AI continues to be the main focus for new skills and the biggest trend for 2026 is the move from "Generative AI" to "Agentic AI". Here are three options for being part of this trend, each of which will earn you a certificate that can be added to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Given that the Coursera Global Skills Report 2025 reveals that 94% of employers say they're likely to hire candidates with AI-related credentials, they all seem worthwhile. Click on the links in this article to access them.

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If you are not already familiar with Coursera and its Coursera Plus annual subscription that gives you unlimited access to 10,000+ courses from world-class universities and companies like  Google, Microsoft and IBM, see the introduction included in Acquire New Skills With Coursera Plus & Coursera Coach.

AI Agents and Agentic AI in Python: Powered by Generative AI Specialization

This specialization comes from Vanderbilt University and is estimated to require 4 weeks at 10 hours per week, although you can, of course, go at your own pace to fit in with other commitments.

It comprises three courses:

Even if you don't want the full certificate the introductory course sound like a good way to keep up-to-date. Its blurb tells us:

AI Agents Are the Next Leap in Software. Learn to Build Them in Python. AI agents aren't passive tools. They think, act, and solve problems—without waiting for instructions. 

By completing it, learners will:

• Build a complete AI agent framework in Python, creating each component yourself to gain deep understanding of how agents work
• Design tool discovery systems and function calling mechanisms that allow your agents to interact with external systems and perform meaningful actions
• Create practical, production-ready agents for tasks like intelligent file exploration, documentation generation, and coding

The second course is on prompt engineering, while in the third you:

Unlock the full potential of Python for creating autonomous AI agents that solve complex problems without constant human direction.

Microsoft AI Agents: From Foundations to Applications Professional Certificate

This professional certificate from Microsoft is intended to equip developers to transition into an AI Agent Developer role. By completing it you'll build a strong foundation using Azure AI Foundry and then progress to advanced, code-based development. It is at Intermediate level and it is recommended that learners are comfortable with Python fundamentals, including async programming and REST APIs. It comprises 4 courses, each requiring 15 -16 hours:

Taking an applied learning approach, learners complete three major projects that build on each other. First, a hotel information agent to handle guest inquiries, applying foundational skills in prompt engineering and service integration. Next,  a specialized medical information agent that uses programmatic development and advanced workflows to handle a sensitive, regulated domain. Finally, a multi-agent system where specialized agents collaborate to solve a complex business problem, demonstrating the ability to design and deploy scalable, enterprise-ready AI solutions. These projects provide concrete, real-world work samples to showcase your skills to potential employers.

IBM: RAG and Agentic AI Professional Certificate

From IBM, this program covers building AI systems that can search your own data (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) and take actions autonomously. It is designed to equip you with advanced techniques and tools such as prompt engineering, Agentic, and multimodal AI integration, enabling you to create sophisticated & context-aware AI applications.

It comprises eight courses, each requiring between 6 and 12 hours:

All of these programs are included in a Coursera Plus subscription which until January 26th is subject to 50% discount bringing the price down from the standard $399 to $199 with equivalent savings in other regions.

More Information

Coursera Plus New Year Offer

AI Agents and Agentic AI in Python: Powered by Generative AI Specialization

AI Agents and Agentic AI with Python & Generative AI

Microsoft AI Agents: From Foundations to Applications Professional Certificate

IBM: RAG and Agentic AI Professional Certificate

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Acquire New Skills With Coursera Plus & Coursera Coach

Generative AI Training For All On Coursera

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