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Software Development

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Start from zero — build a simple app with AI

Designed for beginners. First you learn the sector words so AI answers make sense; then light programming logic and vibe coding; then you ship a simple app.

About The Program

No prior knowledge is required. The program starts by teaching the fundamentals of software development and modern delivery in clear, practical terms. Participants learn core topics such as frontend, backend, databases, APIs, and application architecture — so they can use AI tools with understanding, not by rote.

As the program progresses, participants build programming logic, problem-solving habits, and a grasp of the software development process. AI is not treated as a tool used only to generate code; it becomes a working partner that speeds up development, suggests alternatives, and increases productivity.

Throughout the training, hands-on work and projects mirror real development workflows. Participants move from individual exercises to team projects, taking different roles across analysis, development, testing, and productization. The goal at the end is not merely to have built an app — it is to gain foundational, practical experience in how a software project moves from idea to a working product.

Program Courses: 5-stage program

1 · Foundation (2 Weeks) — Start from zero
No prior knowledge needed — we start from the very beginning
What is software and hardware — plain words only
What is an API, a database, frontend and backend
Server, hosting and cloud — where an app lives online
Sector words you’ll hear every day — so AI answers don’t feel foreign
How to write better prompts — ask AI clearly
Reading AI answers without getting lost
Everyday digital tools real teams use
2 · Specialization (4 Weeks) — Your track + building with AI
Variables — giving names to values (lightly)
Decisions — if / else with simple examples
Loops — repeating steps without fear
Functions — small reusable pieces of logic
Feel how a programming language thinks — not deep, just the idea
Then: vibe coding — build with AI as your coding partner
Ask AI for code, then understand what it gave you
Fix simple errors with AI — step by step
3 · Individual Project (1 Week) — Finish with a simple app
Your task: build a simple app — this completes your individual training
Plan the app in plain words before you build
Ship a working app — core features that users can try
Show what you built and how AI helped you
4 · Teamwork (1 Week) — Students from every program, real roles
Together with students from every program: build a team app
Get your role — you are frontend / backend / project lead (etc.)
Work like a real team — handoffs, updates, one shared goal
Team demo — one shared product, many owners
5 · Real Product — Client project or a known product clone
Real brief: join a client project — or clone a known product
Get a clear role on a product that is meant to go live
Ship your part with AI — keep it simple and working
Present like a junior on a real product team

Industry Outlook

“Even in this scenario, we will need software engineers to review and oversee the AI’s work.”

Andrej Zdravkovic
Senior Vice President, AMD

“There is a lot more to software engineering than just generating code — from eliciting user requirements to debugging, testing, and more.”

Priyan Vaithilingam
Harvard University

“You can’t remove humans from software engineering.”

Claire Le Goues
Professor of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University

“Programming without these tools just feels primitive.”

Armando Solar-Lezama
Professor, MIT CSAIL

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