This course provides a structured approach to designing agentive technology—systems that act independently to assist users. With a focus on real-world applications, it emphasizes the design of autonomous systems that can learn and adapt to user needs, creating more intuitive AI-driven interactions.


Designing Agentive Technology: AI for Human Support

Instructor: Packt - Course Instructors
Included with
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Define agentive technology and distinguish it from automation and AI
Identify core agentive interaction patterns and design constraints
Apply a structured model to describe, evaluate, and refine agentive use cases
Skills you'll gain
Details to know

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November 2025
13 assignments
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There are 13 modules in this course
In this module, we will follow the thermostat's journey, uncover Drebbel's feedback loop, and compare simple tools with agents steering modern heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
What's included
2 videos1 reading1 assignment
In this section, we define agentive technology as persistent background assistants that lower physical and informational effort, distinguish them from robots and automation, and evaluate real products using this lens.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
In this section, we define agentive technology, assess auto* systems delegating skilled or uncomfortable tasks, and outline cooperative multi-agent strategies that reshape human effort, play, and infrastructure.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
In this section, we trace agentive thinking from myth to artificial-intelligence automation, comparing human and machine strengths and assessing feedback-driven, fluid agency that guides practical human-computer collaboration.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
In this section, we redesign interaction with an agent-centric see-think-do loop, define rules, exceptions, triggers and behaviors, and plan disengagement strategies that sustain user trust in autonomous systems.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
In this section, we create agent setup flows that clearly state capabilities and constraints, capture user goals, preferences and permissions, then iteratively test-drive performance to launch reliable, trusted assistants.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
In this section, we implement pause-restart controls and live monitoring pipelines, then design notifications and user overrides that maintain transparency, safety, and collaborative control of autonomous agents after deployment.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
In this section, we implement scalable exception-handling patterns, iteratively tune triggers to cut false positives, and examine user-system trust during control handoff, disengagement and recovery in AI applications.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
In this section, we assess handoff and takeback in agentive systems, identify AI-human transition risks, outline interfaces for control reclamation, and emphasize practice regimes that maintain operator vigilance and expertise.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
In this section, we pair traditional UI usability testing with heuristic reviews of agentive behaviour, while capturing user confidence, perceived benefits and measurable value to rigorously evaluate intelligent systems.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
In this section, we chart AI practice from concept pitching to building smarter, unobtrusive agents toward AGI. We hone persuasive messaging and critique key design strategies.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
In this section, we contrast utopian and dystopian agent futures, dissect ethical dilemmas like autonomy versus accountability, and project how large-scale AI services reshape jobs, skills, equity, and societal dependency.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
We compare cinematic heads up displays with real agentive systems, distinguishing technical limits from ethical roles, and guiding designers to weave accurate automation into supportive human centered workflows.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
Instructor

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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.
If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. You’ll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.
Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.
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