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Applications are open
SITA × American Resource Center
AI Bootcamp: Building the Future of Software
An intensive training programme that bridges the gap between software engineering theory and the practical application of artificial intelligence in a real-world environment.
Until applications close
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Applications for this cohort are closed. Follow Instagram ili LinkedIn for the next announcement.
The programme runs from 2 September to 24 November 2026.
Free
The programme is entirely free of charge
20 participants
A small, highly selective cohort
12 weeks
Workshops and final capstone project
Organised and supported by
What is the AI Bootcamp?
Building Serbia’s first generation of AI engineers
The AI Bootcamp was created to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the real-world needs of the industry. Through hands-on project work and a simulated real-development environment, the programme transforms theoretical understanding into engineering autonomy.
Over 12 weeks of intensive work you will be part of a development team, solving real engineering challenges and building AI applications using the tools and best practices of the industry. By the end of the programme you will take away not just new knowledge, but a complete portfolio project that you designed, built and defended in front of experienced AI engineers.
On completion you will be fully equipped to independently design the architecture of, develop and deploy an AI application using modern AI models, APIs and agentic systems.
Important note This programme is entirely free of charge. It was designed in close cooperation with engineers from leading IT companies, to build exactly the practical skills employers look for when hiring AI engineers today.
Who is this programme for?
For junior technical learners and software engineers
This bootcamp is tailored for those who want to master practical AI toolsets and application development.
Is this programme for you?
- You are a student at a technical faculty and want hands-on experience working with artificial intelligence.
- You are finishing your degree and your goal is to build a strong portfolio before your first job.
- You are a software engineer who wants to pivot into AI development.
You are a great fit if…
- You can write basic Python.
- You have used the terminal to run a command.
- You want to build actual products, not just learn theory.
- You are curious about AI APIs and practical agentic tooling.
This may not be the right fit if…
- You have never written code before.
- You need a purely lecture-based format.
- You cannot commit to the required weekly hours.
Curriculum and skills acquired
Twelve phases, from foundations to defence
The curriculum was developed to directly respond to the current demands and technical needs of the IT market in Serbia. Each phase is one week of work.
Phase 01Build the foundations of AI engineering
4 modulesWeeks 1–4
02wk 2
Python and API foundations for AI apps
03wk 3
Prompting, context and structured outputs
04wk 4
Tool calling and API integration
Phase 02Learn how AI agents and RAG systems are built
3 modulesWeeks 5–7
05wk 5
Stateful workflows and simple agentic patterns
06wk 6
RAG fundamentals
07wk 7
RAG quality and controlled improvement
Phase 03Prepare your application for production
4 modulesWeeks 8–11
08wk 8
Evaluation and capstone approval
09wk 9
Security, responsible AI and risk hardening
10wk 10
Reproducibility and release-candidate gate
11wk 11
Capstone hardening, clinics and review
Phase 04Defend your AI product
1 moduleWeek 12
12wk 12
Final project defence
More than 20 AI experts and engineers from leading domestic and global IT companies operating in our market worked on defining the modules, planning the classes, creating the programme and selecting the technologies.
A number of engineers from the group of creators will also be involved in teaching as lecturers and mentors, and the final schedule by modules will be published before the start of the programme.
Skills acquired
What will you be able to do after the Bootcamp?
- Build AI applications using modern LLMs.
- Integrate AI APIs into existing software systems.
- Design agentic workflows.
- Create advanced RAG systems.
- Evaluate and continuously improve AI model performance.
- Confidently present your portfolio project to future employers.
The people behind the programme
Engineers who build AI systems in production
3 lecturers
- Viktor Nagy
- Dimitrije Jovanović
- Marko Mitrović
7 lecturers
- Borivoje Kovač
- Siniša Andrić
- Aleksandar Vujić
- Stevan Đorđević
- Marko Pavković
- Marko Potkonjak
- Slavica Mastilović Sulica
… and others. More than 20 experts in total, from domestic and global IT companies.
Key organizational details
Format and logistics
Format
In-person workshops, in a classroom.
Location
American Resource Center (ARC) premises in Ložionica.
Timing
Wednesdays and Fridays, 17:00 to 19:45.
Duration
12 weeks: 10 weeks of workshops and 2 weeks for the final project.
Language
Lectures in Serbian; materials and coursework in English.
Cohort size
Limited to 20 participants for personalized mentorship.
Weekly commitment
6+ hours of workshop time, plus independent work.
Equipment and licenses
Bring your own laptop; SITA and ARC provide software licenses.
Credentials
An official certificate upon successful defence of the capstone project.
Location
American Resource Center, Ložionica
Workshops are held in person, at the ARC premises.
Workshop schedule and application process
Class dates
Classes will be held on the following dates:
September 9 sessions
249
111618
232530
October 9 sessions
279
141621
232830
November 6 sessions
4610
131820
Selection process
Places are limited to maintain high educational quality.
17 July 2026
Applications open
You fill out the online application form.
5 August 2026
Applications close
Last day to submit your application.
After the deadline
Admissions decision
Successful candidates will be offered a place in the cohort.
2 Sep – 24 Nov 2026
Programme duration
12 weeks of workshops and the capstone project.
FAQ
Questions before you apply
Is the AI Bootcamp really free?
Yes, the programme is entirely free of charge. SITA and ARC also provide all necessary software licenses. Participants only bring their own laptops.
How many places are available in the programme?
The cohort is limited to 20 participants for personalized mentorship and high-quality interaction. You fill out an online application form, and successful candidates will be offered a place.
How much time do I need to set aside per week?
Expect 6+ hours of workshop time per week, plus independent project work. Classes are held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 17:00 to 19:45.
What prior knowledge do I need?
You should be able to write basic Python and have used the terminal to run a command. If you have never written code before, this is probably not the right fit.
What language are the classes in?
Lectures are in Serbian. Learning materials, documentation and coursework are in English.
Will I receive a certificate on completion?
Yes, an official certificate upon successful completion and defence of the final capstone project.
Where are the classes held?
At the American Resource Center (ARC) premises in Ložionica, Belgrade. Workshops are in person, in a classroom.
Who teaches the programme?
More than 20 AI experts and engineers from leading domestic and global IT companies, including EPAM and Endava, worked on the programme.
A number of them will also be involved in teaching as lecturers and mentors, and the final schedule by modules will be published before the start of the programme.