A Practical Introduction to Python

My course, A Practical Introduction to Python: From Fundamentals to AI Applications is coming back to Stanford Continuing Studies for Summer quarter 2026!

This course provides an accessible introduction to using the Python language. In the course, we’ll use Visual Studio Code and Jupyter notebooks to learn the basics of Python. We’ll explore best practices for working with AI tools and understanding what they’re doing. We also touch on using third-party modules in the second half in the course, and we’ll put all the basic Python concepts together to build an AI chatbot app.

Here’s the official course description:

“Python is a widely used and flexible programming language adopted across many fields. It enables you to build software, automate tasks, and connect programs and data. It is also central to modern AI development—whether calling APIs, processing data, or building systems that respond intelligently. This course begins with core Python concepts and the Python Standard Library. While AI tools can help you write code faster, understanding the fundamentals allows you to read what AI generates, catch mistakes, and adapt code to your needs. The goal is to build enough fluency that you remain in control. As you learn, you will apply these skills by building a custom AI chatbot step by step, using variables, control structures, functions, and collections to connect your code to a live AI model. By the end, you will have both a strong foundation and a working project that demonstrates what you can build. No prior programming experience is required. This course focuses on Python fundamentals, with limited exposure to Python libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, etc.”

If this sounds interesting to you, search for the course name (or course code TECH 19) in the course catalog at Stanford Continuing Studies!