Oracle Academy in collaboration with Aditya University conducted a virtual webinar on September 23, 2026, attracting 2,600 attendees. Titled “Algorithms to Intelligent Agents: Applied AI for Software Engineers,” the session featured Prateek Thakur, Staff Solution Engineer APAC,Oracle, as the speaker.
The webinar connected foundational computing knowledge with practical AI development, taking attendees through algorithmic principles, intelligent agents, data integration, and the engineering considerations involved in building reliable applications.
From foundations to intelligent agents
Following the welcome, context, and learning outcomes, the technical agenda began with “Foundations: algorithms that still matter.” This segment positioned algorithmic thinking as a continuing foundation for software engineering, including applications that incorporate AI.
The session then addressed “What makes an AI system an agent?”, introducing a central question for engineers exploring systems that use AI to act towards defined goals. This progression established the context for the practical portion of the webinar.
Connecting AI to reliable data
“Connecting AI to reliable data: SQL, semantic search, and RAG” explored bringing these topics together within the broader discussion of intelligent application development. SQL, semantic search, and retrieval-augmented generation offer different ways to connect applications with relevant information. For software engineers, understanding these approaches is an important part of designing AI systems grounded in useful data.
Bringing concepts into practice
A guided demonstration of building an applied intelligent agent formed the practical component of the agenda. It connected the preceding concepts with an implementation-focused view of agent development.
The session then moved to “Engineering for production: evaluation, security, and reliability.” These topics extended the discussion to the responsibilities involved in preparing intelligent applications for real use. Assessing performance, protecting data and system access, and ensuring dependable behavior are essential considerations throughout that process.
A roadmap for continued learning
The webinar concluded with a skills roadmap and Oracle Academy learning pathways, linking the technical content with avenues for further learning.
The event brought together academic learning and an industry perspective on applied AI. Its structured journey — from algorithms to agents, reliable data, practical implementation, and production engineering — highlighted the breadth of skills involved in developing intelligent software.
Through this collaboration, Aditya University and Oracle Academy placed strong computing foundations alongside emerging AI capabilities, encouraging continued learning at their intersection.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Prateek Thakur for delivering the webinar. His expertise and guided demonstration helped connect foundational concepts with practical AI development, enriching the learning experience for attendees.