2_AI — Index

BLUF. Learn what AI is, use it well, and then build dependable AI systems. The organizing unit is the complete AI system—model, data, context, tools, memory, permissions, evaluation, operations, and human ownership—not the model alone.

Start here

Need	Read
I am new to AI	Learn AI → Foundations
I want to use AI effectively	Using AI
I want to understand an AI harness	AI harness engineering
I want to build agents and tools	Agents and tools
I want RAG, search, or memory	Knowledge systems
I want to ship an AI application	Building and deployment
I need quality and reliability	Evaluation and operations
I need security and governance	Security, privacy, and governance
I want automation examples	Automation
I learn by building	Labs

Curriculum map

flowchart LR
    F[Foundations] --> U[Use AI]
    U --> H[Harness engineering]
    H --> A[Agents and tools]
    H --> K[Knowledge systems]
    A --> B[Build and deploy]
    K --> B
    B --> E[Evaluate and operate]
    E --> S[Secure and govern]
    S --> L[Practical labs]

Evidence standard

Durable claims are grounded in original papers, standards, NIST/OWASP/MITRE guidance, or official product documentation.
Product behavior is dated and labeled because model APIs, frameworks, pricing, and limits change quickly.
Dumpster research is an intake source, never automatic publication evidence. See Dumpster research map.
Exercises are local, synthetic, or read-only unless an explicitly authorized environment is named.

Migration history

2026-08-27: legacy LLM folders aligned to shelf 2 numbering.
2026-09-02: 2_LLM → 2_AI; 2.1 Learn LLM → 2.1 Learn AI; existing notes reclassified beneath the mature curriculum without discarding active work.