BCS Foundation Award in Generative AI

Learn how to use generative AI effectively, safely, and confidently in your work.

Generative AI is changing how people work.


From writing content and analysing information to automating tasks and supporting decision-making, tools like ChatGPT and other AI systems are rapidly becoming part of everyday business activity.


The BCS Foundation Award in Generative AI helps you understand how these tools work and, more importantly, how to use them effectively and responsibly. As organisations adopt generative AI at pace, there is a growing need for professionals who can use it safely, understand its risks, and apply it in real-world situations.


This level 3 SFIA course provides a practical foundation in generative AI — including how it works, how to use it, how to validate its outputs, and how to manage ethical and legal considerations. The syllabus highlights that understanding generative AI is essential as organisations increasingly rely on it to improve processes and develop new products and services.  


For individuals, this means improved productivity and future-ready skills.

For organisations, it means teams that can use AI effectively without increasing risk.

Pay with Klarna, PayPal, or card – interest-free instalments available, no credit check. Contact us to arrange live training or payment via invoice.

Accredited Excellence You Can Trust

Duco Digital is a BCS-accredited training provider, offering courses that uphold the highest standards in learning artificial intelligence. Each module aligns with the official BCS syllabus, giving you the knowledge, confidence, and credentials to excel.

Trusted by professionals and organisations worldwide. Certified by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

About the Course

The BCS Foundation Award in Generative AI introduces the core concepts, tools, and applications of generative AI in a business context.

You’ll learn how generative AI systems create content such as text, images, and code, and how technologies like large language models (LLMs) and machine learning enable these capabilities.

The course focuses heavily on practical use, including prompting techniques, real-world applications, and how to get better outputs from AI systems. You’ll also explore how to validate and check AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and reliability.

A key part of the course is understanding the risks and responsibilities of using generative AI, including bias, hallucinations, data privacy, and legal considerations such as copyright and data protection.

The syllabus highlights that generative AI can enhance business processes, improve productivity, and create new opportunities — but must be used responsibly and with human oversight. 

You'll learn:

By completing this course, you’ll gain the ability to:
  • What generative AI is and how it works
  • Key concepts such as LLMs, prompts, NLP, and deep learning
  • Common business uses of generative AI (content creation, automation, analysis)
  • How generative AI systems are trained and improved
  • The role of prompts and prompt engineering in getting better results
  • Different prompting techniques (zero-shot, few-shot, chain-of-thought)
  • How to validate and fact-check AI-generated outputs
  • Understanding hallucinations, bias, and inaccuracies
  • Ethical and legal considerations (copyright, data protection, privacy)
  • How to identify opportunities to use generative AI in your organisation.

What you get:

 • Approx. 12 hours of online learning with 12 months’ access
 • BCS eCertificate on passing your exam
 • 1 year access to the BCS eLibrary of over 100 ebooks in business and technology and includes the recommended BCS books for this course
 • 1-year BCS Associate Membership (worth £92) after passing exam
 • Exam fee included — no hidden extras
 • Pass Assist package with live tutor support, practice exams, and exclusive video guides.
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Course Syllabus
Course Requirements
Career Path
course subjects you will learn

Course Syllabus

Gen AI Terms
Prompt Engineering
Types of Prompts
Quality Checking Output of GenAI
Ethics of GenAI
Legal and Regulatory Considerations of Gen AI
Mitigating AI Risks
Machine Learning in GenAI
Training a GenAI Model 
Use of Data in GenAI
Transformers in GenAI
Eligibility for the course

Course Requirements

No mandatory pre-requisites.
A good level of English
is recommended
An internet connection with a mobile/tablet or laptop is required

Not sure if this course is right for you?
Contact us to check your suitability before starting.

career opportunities 

Career Path

Generative AI skills are quickly becoming expected across many roles.
This course helps you:
  • Stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market
  • Improve productivity and efficiency in your role
  • Build confidence using AI tools in professional settings
  • Understand how AI impacts your industry

It supports progression into roles such as:
  • Digital or AI-enabled professional roles
  • Business Analyst or Consultant
  • Marketing and content roles
  • Project or Product roles
  • AI or digital transformation roles.
  • Health
  • Robotics
  • Engineering & Manufacturing

  • Finance
  • Government
  • Consulting

  • Retail
  • IT & Telecommunications
It's important to note that virtually all sectors can benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) training, as AI is becoming crucial to understand in nearly every industry.

Pass Assist

Your course price isn’t just for learning materials — it includes the complete Pass Assist package, designed to give you the best chance of passing your BCS exam with confidence.

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Two live video calls

Two live video calls with your course trainer for Q&A and a deeper understanding

Practice exam papers

Practice exam papers to test your knowledge and get exam-ready

Exclusive video guides

Exclusive video guides to make a learning plan, maximise the course, and prepare effectively

Tutor support

Tutor support via forum, email, and WhatsApp for help whenever you need it

BCS exam included 

BCS exam fee included — take your exam when you’re ready, at no extra cost

BCS
Books

1 year access to over 100 BCS books in buisness and technology, including the essential BCS business analysis books to help you pass this course
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EMPLOYERS
NEED  PROFESSIONALS WITH QUALITY AI KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

70%

    Organisations are already using AI in at least one business function

40%

    Generative AI can improve productivity by up to 40% in knowledge-based roles


    A large proportion of AI outputs require human validation due to risks such as inaccuracy and bias

DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Explore the BCS Diploma in Artificial Intelligence

If you’re looking to build deeper, career-focused expertise across multiple aspects of Artificial Intelligence, the BCS Foundation Pathway in Artificial Intelligence (AI Diploma) may be a better fit. The AI Diploma allows you to explore AI from multiple perspectives — including data, ethics, machine learning, risk, governance, and real-world organisational use — rather than focusing on a single course. Learners select 8 accredited AI awards from a wider suite of options, creating a personalised pathway that reflects their role, interests, or career goals.

Designed by BCS, the Diploma provides a structured, recognised route for professionals who want to demonstrate broad AI competence, not just awareness.
The AI Diploma is ideal if you want to:
 • Develop expertise across multiple AI disciplines, not just the basics
 • Build a strong, evidence-based AI skillset for career progression
 • Support roles in leadership, consultancy, data, IT, governance, or transformation
 • Show employers you understand AI holistically, including risk and ethics
 • Create a flexible, accredited learning pathway aligned to your career.
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Many learners start with the BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and then progress into the Diploma to broaden their knowledge and strengthen their professional credibility. 
Explore the BCS AI Diploma Pathway or contact us to discuss which pathway best suits your goals.

Learners from These Organisations Choose Us

Meet Your Instructors

Darren Winter

Company Director and BCS Trainer
I’m Darren, BCS Accredited Trainer and Company Director of Duco Digital Training. I've been teaching AI for over 7 years and am completing my PhD in AI Ethics at Cordoba University.
If you have any questions about choosing the right course for your career, please contact me.

James Mc Connell

Accredited BCS  AI Trainer
James has more than forty years’ experience in technical, management and digital roles across a range of sectors including manufacturing, defence, social enterprise and public services.  He is an engineering graduate and postgraduate in education, business and risk.  James is an experienced speaker, lecturer and instructor and is passionate about empowering people to harness their digital superpowers for good.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is BCS?

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is an internationally respected professional organisation, recognised and trusted by businesses, academic institutions, and IT professionals around the world. Representing over 60,000 members across 150 countries,

BCS brings together a global community of technology experts, educators, industry leaders, and policy-makers. Its purpose is to steer the IT profession through ethical and societal challenges, nurture the skills and careers of those within the field, and champion the use of technology for the greater good. Through its qualifications, events, and professional networks, BCS promotes continuous learning, thought leadership, and responsible innovation across the global tech landscape.

What is SFIA Plus?

SFIA Plus is a comprehensive, BCS-developed enhancement of the SFIA framework,  a globally recognised, seven-level framework that provides a common language for defining skills, competencies, and responsibilities in the digital world.

SFIA Plus provides detailed competency, training, and development resources for over 120 IT skills. It serves as a 3D, 7-level career roadmap to help organisations and individuals benchmark skills, define roles, and map career progression. 

Why should I take this course?

Generative AI is already being used across organisations — but using it effectively is a skill.

This course will help you:

  • Use AI tools more effectively and confidently
  • Improve productivity in everyday tasks
  • Understand the risks and limitations of AI
  • Avoid common mistakes such as inaccurate or biased outputs
  • Apply AI in real business scenarios
  • Gain a recognised, accredited certification.

For organisations, it helps teams:

  • Use AI safely and responsibly
  • Improve efficiency and reduce manual work
  • Maintain quality and accuracy in AI-generated content
  • Reduce legal, ethical, and reputational risks.

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for:

  • Professionals looking to use generative AI in their role
  • Business leaders exploring AI adoption
  • Marketing, content, and communications professionals
  • IT, digital, and transformation teams
  • Project managers, consultants, and analysts
  • Organisations looking to safely adopt AI across teams.

The syllabus highlights a wide range of roles, including content creators, designers, developers, managers, and business leaders.  

What does the course include?

  • Online access to structured modules and lessons that follow the official BCS syllabus
  • Pass Assist support package (tutor calls, practice papers, video guides, discussion forum, email/WhatsApp support)
  • 1 year access to the BCS eLibrary of over 100 ebooks in business and technology and includes the recommended BCS books for this course
  • A personal course login that saves your progress
  • Exam booking guidance and support
  • A BCS eCertificate and 1-year Associate Membership* when you pass
  • VAT.


*New BCS members only

What is Pass Assist?

Pass Assist is our unique support package designed to give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pass your BCS exam.

When you enroll in this course, Pass Assist gives you:
  • Two live video calls with your course trainer to ask questions and deepen your understanding
  • Practice exam papers to test your knowledge and get familiar with the exam format
  • Exclusive video guides to help you make a learning plan, get the most from the course, and prepare effectively for the exam
  • Ongoing tutor support via discussion forum, email, and WhatsApp for guidance whenever you need it


With Pass Assist, you’re never learning alone—you have the tools and support to succeed.

When is the start date of the course?

Self-study: Begin right after enrolment — learn anytime, anywhere. Book a 15-minute welcome call and a 15-minute exam prep session with your trainer directly via the course link.

Live training: Held on mutually agreed dates. Contact us to check availability.

How to start the course?

Enrol online now with card, PayPal, or Klarna — or contact us for invoice/bank transfer.

If you prefer live training, please contact us or message us on WhatsApp with a date you would like the training and any requirements, for example, the number of people. 

We train individuals and support teams with their training needs in organisations, colleges, universities, and government departments in different countries. Contact us if you have any questions.

What happens after I enroll?

  1. Click on the enrolment email to gain access.
  2. Complete your study
  3. Book your BCS exam using the link in the BCS email sent to you 14 days after enrolment
  4. Take your exam
  5. Download your BCS certificate from your BCS exam account when you pass
  6. Access your free* 1-year BCS Associate membership from the link in your BCS exam account when you pass
  7. Create a BCS professional profile, access further learning, build networks, and access career tools with a BCS membership

*New BCS members only

What is studying with Duco Digital Training like?


  • Self-paced learning that fits around your schedule

  • Step-by-step modules aligned with the syllabus

  • Our unique Pass Assist package of tutor support, BCS-recommended Books* discussion forums, and exam preparation resources

  • Accredited courses trusted by organisations worldwide

  • BCS certification and membership** that add real career value.


*BCS eBooks as recommended on your syllabus
** Pass the BCS exam to claim your certification. Membership for new BCS members only.

I prefer live training — how can I book this?

Prefer learning in real time with a trainer? We offer live online training for groups of two or more. If you’re learning solo, you can invite a friend or colleague to join. To book, just contact us with your preferred dates and group size, and we’ll confirm availability and customise the session to your needs.

Can organisations buy this course for teams?

Yes. Duco Digital Training partners with organisations, colleges, universities, and government departments around the world. We can enrol teams of any size, giving each learner their own login, progress tracking, and Pass Assist support. Payment is available by invoice or bank transfer, and our self-study approach allows groups to learn consistently, at their own pace, while keeping costs manageable.

How long will I have access to the course? 

You have 12 months to complete all BCS courses and take the exam. For career pathways that include multiple courses, simply contact us if you need extra time.

Live Training for Companies

Looking to train a team?* We deliver bespoke live training in AI for organisations worldwide – online or onsite.
Tailored sessions, group discounts, and the same exam-ready Pass Assist package. Ideal for teams adopting AI tools, developing AI strategies, or needing confidence around ethical and responsible use.
*minimum of two people
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What People Say About Us

The course is really thorough about AI in general, and it covers all of the basic knowledge about AI. As a lecturer myself, I will teach this to my students.
Cholid
The training provided will assist me to conduct AI research projects in a more professional and systematic way. The knowledge provided will be incredibly valuable for my future study in the field of computer vision.
Muhammad
Good training materials for remote learning, and the most impressive part was the speed at which they responded to questions. I also had issues with the exam (through the exam platform, not Duco) and they were really helpful in resolving it.
Tom
The course is really thorough about AI in general, and it covers all of the basic knowledge about AI. As a lecturer myself, I will teach this to my students.
Cholid
The training provided will assist me to conduct AI research projects in a more professional and systematic way. The knowledge provided will be incredibly valuable for my future study in the field of computer vision.
Muhammad
Good training materials for remote learning, and the most impressive part was the speed at which they responded to questions. I also had issues with the exam (through the exam platform, not Duco) and they were really helpful in resolving it.
Tom

Get in touch today to discuss enrolment, team training, or payment options.

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