// APPLIED LLM ENGINEERING // FIRST EDITION // SEPTEMBER
Bridging the
AI Skills Gap.
Bridging applied research, operational AI and real industry opportunities.
14 weeks of hands-on development, enterprise AI systems and continuous project work guided by researchers and engineers.
Sponsored access opportunities available for selected participants.
14
WEEKS
180
TOTAL HOURS
90
HOURS IN PERSON
5
MODULES
1
CAPSTONE PROJECT
Build real AI systems hands-on
AI Academy Direct by Fusion AI Labs is a graduate programme for applied AI designed to address one of Europe’s fastest-growing challenges: the gap between AI experimentation and operational adoption.
Built on Fusion AI Labs’ applied research methodology, the programme prepares AI professionals through applied research, real-world projects, and offers immediate employment opportunities with partner companies.
// SKILLS & OUTCOMES
Build real operational AI skills
01
Prompt Engineering
Design and evaluate prompt-based systems with verifiable quality criteria.
02
RAG Production Pipelines
Build complete pipelines from ingestion to retrieval, reordering and scalable production synthesis.
03
Multi-Tool Agents
Architect and deploy tool-calling agents and multi-agent systems using the OpenAI Agents SDK.
04
LLM Operations
Operate distributed LLM systems with structured logging, monitoring, caching and incident management.
05
When to Fine-Tune
Informed decisions on build vs. train and evaluation of fine-tuning proposals versus rapid alternatives.
06
AI Security & Governance
Prompt injection defense, release policies and production of compliant audit artifacts.
Five modules. One coherent path.
M.1
Foundation & Engineering Discipline
WEEKS 1–2
M.2
Model Behaviour & Prompting
WEEKS 3–4
M.3
Retrieval Systems & RAG
WEEKS 5–7
M.4
Tools, Agents & Orchestration
WEEKS 8–10
M.5
Production, Evaluation & Security
WEEKS 11–14
A learning experience designed around real-world AI applications
ALWAYS UP TO DATE
Materials reflect the latest field developments – validated by applied research, not static curricula
AI Assisted learning
A personalised learning experience supported by AI, designed to adapt to your background, pace and goals
Learn directly from the lab
In-person sessions and direct feedback from AI researchers, PhDs and industry experts
// WHO IS THIS FOR
One programme. Two perspectives.
IF YOU ARE A STUDENT
A job before you finish training.
If you are finishing a degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field, have basic coding experience, and want to understand where AI could take you, this program is for you.
✓ Pre-screened by Fusion AI Labs from the university pipeline
✓ Interviewed and selected by the partner company
✓ Contract signed before training begins
✓ Job-ready at the end of 14 weeks
IF YOU ARE A COMPANY
You recruit AI experts.
Candidates are pre-screened by Fusion AI Labs. You interview a shortlist and select the most suitable for your needs. At the end of the Academy, your new AI talent is operational from day one.
✓ Fusion AI Labs pre-selects three candidates
✓ You select the best candidates for your needs
✓ Tripartite contract ensures full alignment
// THE TEAM
International expertise. Applied research.
ANDREA PESCINO
CEO
30+ years in AI and digital transformation for large organizations.
ANTONELLO SCALMATO
CTO
PhD. 15+ years in AI and cloud engineering. Architect of scalable enterprise AI systems.
STEFANO SEDOLA
CHIEF RESEARCH & LEARNING
Entrepreneur with 25+ years in learning design and specialized training programme development.
ALESSANDRO CARFÌ
AI/ML ENGINEER
PhD. 9 years in applied AI, data-driven solutions in robotics and machine learning.
// WHERE
A 15th-century villa.
Contemporary training facilities.
15 minutes from Genoa Airport
1.5 hours from Milan by train
Easy access from the MOTORWAY exit
Accommodation options nearby
Villa Quartara · Via Romana della Castagna, 11A · 16148 Genova
Q&A — AI Academy Direct
Who is the programme designed for?
The programme is designed for two profiles:
- Software engineers with working Python skills and basic familiarity with LLM APIs.
- Analytically trained graduates from mathematics, physics, economics, or related disciplines who want to develop applied engineering competencies in operational AI systems.
Do I need previous AI experience?
No. Basic Python proficiency is sufficient.
A preparatory Python reference course is available for candidates who want to refresh or strengthen their foundations before the programme begins.
What makes this programme different from traditional AI courses?
Unlike traditional courses, the programme is built around one continuous project: a production-grade AI system participants develops from the first session to the final presentation.
The programme combines:
- Hands-on workshops led by active AI researchers and engineers.
- Real-world case studies drawn from Fusion AI Labs engagements.
- An AI-assisted learning platform providing continuous personalized support.
- Direct interaction with researchers throughout the 13-week journey.
The focus is not only on learning concepts, but on building operational AI competencies through real systems and real engineering decisions.
What will I build during the programme?
Participants build one continuous operational AI system across the entire 13-week journey.
Each session advances the same project: from the first API call through retrieval systems, agents, orchestration, evaluation, and production deployment. By the final session, participants will have developed a working production-grade AI application built end-to-end.
Is this an online course?
No. AI Academy Direct is a hybrid programme combining:
- 26 remote learning sessions covering the technical curriculum.
- 13 in-person applied workshops in Genoa focused on operational AI systems and real-world case studies.
- Continuous access to the AI-assisted learning platform throughout the programme.
Can I attend remotely only?
No. In-person participation is a core part of the programme. The workshops and case studies are where concepts become engineering decisions through collaboration, experimentation, and hands-on development.
A minimum attendance rate of 80% is required to receive the diploma.
What is the AI-assisted learning system?
The programme platform includes an integrated AI assistant capable of:
- providing contextual support.
- identifying learning gaps.
- delivering personalized reinforcement content.
- supporting participants between sessions.
The assistant is designed to enhance human interaction, not replace it. When a question exceeds its scope, participants are directed toward the appropriate resource: a researcher, workshop session, or learning material.
How much does the programme cost?
Partner organizations will sponsor a participant’s enrolment in exchange for a post-programme work commitment (e.g. full-time employment as AI junior specialist or similar roles). The specific terms of any sponsorship agreement are established directly between the participant and the partner organization.
The programme fee is €5,000. Participants may finance their place independently if they are not interested in the post-programme work placement.
Will I be paid during the programme?
AI Academy Direct itself does not provide salaries or stipends during the programme. The academy is in Genova. Travel and accommodation expenses are not included.
How does the selection process work?
The first cohort is limited to 20 participants. The process includes:
- Online application.
- Technical assessment (in presence in Genova).
- Interview with Fusion AI Labs.
- Matching of the participants with partners’ companies.
- Signature of a contract between participants, partners’ companies and Fusion AI Labs.
Can I attend if I already have a job?
Yes, provided you can commit seriously to the programme and attend to in person workshops once a week in Genova. AI Academy Direct is intentionally intensive and requires active participation across workshops, project development, and collaborative sessions.
What happens after the programme?
Graduates receive the AI Academy Direct Diploma in Applied AI Systems, signed by the Fusion AI Labs research and engineering team, along with access to the alumni ecosystem. Unless, otherwise agreed, you start working with the partner company you signed the agreement with.
The alumni community remains active through:
- continued access to Fusion AI Labs events
- updates from ongoing research activities
- and networking opportunities across the Fusion AI Labs ecosystem
The process
- Apply
Complete the application form.
- Pre-screening
Fusion AI Labs reviews the applications.
- Assessment
Selected candidates may be invited to technical and attitudinal tests.
- Interview
A short interview with Fusion AI Labs evaluates motivation and fit.
- Company matching
Final candidates meet the partner company.
- Contract & Academy start
Once selected, candidates sign the agreement and begin the Academy journey.
20 places
AI skills are evolving 60% faster than any other industry. The first Academy starts September 2026. Those who act now secure the best candidates.
Questions? Get In Touch Directly:
Apply for the academy
Fusion AI Labs
via Corsica 2/18
16128 Genova
Kirill Veselkov is an Associate Professor whose research spans artificial intelligence, biomedical data science, precision medicine and precision nutrition. His work focuses on the development of clinically relevant AI and data-driven methods for decision support, patient stratification, and the integration of multi-modal health data, including clinical, lifestyle, molecular and multi-omics data. He has led and contributed to interdisciplinary research and innovation projects that translate advanced analytics into actionable insights for healthcare, prevention and personalised intervention. His work in the AIDA project advances AI for personalised medicine, while through HyperFoods he leads research into how food, metabolism, and biomarkers can be integrated to support more precise and individualised nutrition strategies. Through his research, Dr Veselkov aims to advance more predictive, preventive, and personalised approaches to health and disease.
Ricard Martínez Martínez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Constitutional Law, Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Valencia and Director of the Chair of Privacy and Digital Transformation. His work lies at the intersection between law and clinical practice, advising and training healthcare professionals and institutions on privacy, data governance and regulatory compliance in the health sector.