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AI Agents for Industry

  • 2 months
  • 07-05-2026
  • Eindhoven
Do you want to use AI in a practical way in production, maintenance or quality processes, without sending sensitive company data to external cloud environments? In the course AI Agents for Industry, you will learn how to design and build a local GPT or AI Agent that makes knowledge accessible on the shop floor and supports industrial processes more efficiently.

About this course

This practice-oriented course explores how generative AI and AI Agents can contribute to improved knowledge sharing, higher productivity and reduced dependence on scarce expertise in the manufacturing and high-tech industry. The course focuses on local (on-premise) AI solutions, ensuring that data, intellectual property and control remain within the organisation.

You will not only learn what AI can do, but especially how to apply AI safely, responsibly and effectively in your own working environment. The course combines theory, hands-on workshops and guidance, with a strong connection to the shop floor and technical design practice.

You will work on a concrete case from your own professional practice and develop a secure, applicable AI solution for an industrial context step by step.

 

Who the course is for

This course is intended for technically trained professionals in the manufacturing and high-tech industry, such as:

  • operators and first-line production engineers
  • design and test engineers
  • service and quality engineers

You work daily with machines, processes or technical documentation and want to use AI as a practical tool in your work.

Admission Requirements


The course is open to professionals with at least an mbo level 4 qualification, who are employed or have demonstrable work experience in a professional environment. The course is also suitable for HBO-level professionals looking to broaden their knowledge.

No prior knowledge of AI or programming is required.

 

Placeholder for Fontys video
" In 10 weeks, you will learn how to build your own local AI solution that makes your production or maintenance processes more efficient, without company data leaving the organisation.”
Frans Fonville. docent

 

Content and structure



During the course, you will work step by step on designing and building an industrial AI solution. The course covers, among other things, generative AI and AI Agents in an industrial context, the development of local GPT solutions, knowledge retrieval through AI workflows, and the safe and responsible application of AI in production and maintenance processes.

  • AI in the industrial context. Insight into generative AI, GPT models and AI Agents, with a focus on applications in production, maintenance and quality processes.
  • Local GPTs and AI Agents (on-premise). Setting up and configuring AI solutions that run locally, with attention to data security, intellectual property protection and compliance.
  • Knowledge retrieval with AI (RAG workflows). Unlocking technical documentation such as manuals, fault logs and maintenance schedules through AI workflows.
  • AI workflows for production, maintenance and quality. Designing workflows in which AI supports operators and engineers in finding the right information at the right time.
  • Adoption, safety and ethics of AI. Responsible and secure use of AI in industrial practice, including requirements arising from legislation and regulations (such as the EU AI Act and GDPR).
  • From design to practical application. Testing, verifying and substantiating the AI solution, and reflecting on its applicability within your own organisation.


In this course, you will learn how to apply AI in a practical industrial environment. You will identify opportunities for AI in production, maintenance and quality processes and translate these into concrete applications. You will design and configure a local GPT or AI Agent, unlock existing documentation and knowledge through AI workflows, and learn how to apply AI safely, responsibly and effectively within your organisation.

The course runs for 10 to 12 weeks and follows a blended learning approach, combining workshops, tutorials and guided working sessions. You will work individually and in small groups on your own practical case. Through peer learning, feedback moments and guidance from lecturers, you will work towards a functional AI prototype that fits your professional context.

Overall structure

  • Introduction to AI in an industrial context
  • Pressure cooker: building a local GPT or AI Agent
  • Translating AI concepts to your own work context
  • Designing AI workflows for production and maintenance
  • In-depth workshops on adoption, ethics and compliance
  • Portfolio guidance and completion

You complete the course with a portfolio assessment. In your portfolio, you demonstrate that you have:

  • designed and built an industrial AI application;
  • tested and substantiated its technical functioning;
  • reflected on your learning process and its applicability in professional practice.

After successful completion, you will receive an official Fontys microcredential worth 3 ECTS. This demonstrates that you are able to design, realise and substantiate a practical AI solution for production or process support within an industrial context.
 
 

Learning outcomes

This course helps you develop practical AI skills that can be applied directly in your daily work. You will learn how local GPTs and AI Agents can make existing knowledge and documentation more accessible to colleagues in production, maintenance and quality roles. This leads to faster access to information, fewer errors and reduced dependence on individual experts.

For organisations, this means better knowledge retention and sharing, even in environments facing staff shortages and high workload. By applying AI locally and securely, company data and intellectual property remain within the organisation, while privacy and compliance requirements are met. Employees who complete this course are better equipped to advise on suitable AI applications, contributing to more efficient processes, reduced downtime and future-proof use of AI on the shop floor.

 

 

Practical information

Length
2 months
Start date(s)
07-05-2026

Duration and study load

The course runs for 10 weeks and has a total study load of 84 hours (3 ECTS). In addition to the scheduled sessions, you will spend an average of 4 hours per week on self-study and assignments.

Blended learning (on-site and online)

The course follows a blended learning approach, combining on-site sessions with online support. On-site sessions mainly consist of workshops and hands-on activities. Online materials and guidance support the learning process and the development of your portfolio.

Course dates

The course consists of several half-day sessions and one full-day session:

  • 7 May – introduction (13:00–17:00)

  • 19 May – pressure cooker (09:00–17:00)

  • 26 May – own work context & AI applications (13:00–17:00)

  • 9 June – AI workflows and knowledge retrieval (13:00–17:00)

  • 16 June – in-depth workshops & portfolio guidance (13:00–17:00)

  • 14 July – follow-up session, assessment and awarding of the microcredential (13:00–17:00)

Language

The course is delivered in English.

Certificate

After successful completion, you will receive an official Fontys microcredential certificate.

 

 

Register

Below you will find the start date of this course and a link to register.

Start date(s)


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