Courses/AI-Assisted Engineering Basics
4 lessons · Intermediate

AI-Assisted Engineering Basics

Build faster with AI without shipping code you can't maintain.

Free 4 lessons ~1 hour 2 modules 1 free previews
Skill level
Intermediate
Language
English
Duration
~1 hour
Format
Self-paced video
Free free · lifetime access
Hosted on learn.xatatech.com Start free
Overview

Faster is only good if you can still read it next month.

AI coding tools are genuinely useful — but they’ll also confidently generate code that’s hard to test, hard to extend, and wrong in ways that take hours to debug. The bottleneck isn’t generating code anymore. It’s staying in control of what gets merged.

Four lessons on using these tools with judgment. You’ll come away with a review habit, a set of prompting patterns that produce better output, and a clearer sense of where to trust AI and where to stay skeptical.

Learning outcomes
Use AI coding tools without losing ownership of your codebase
Spot AI-generated code that will cause problems later
Build a review habit that keeps quality high at speed
Know which tasks AI handles well vs. where it misleads you
Who it's for

Built for builders, not spectators.

This is for you if
  • You're a developer already using or about to use AI coding tools
  • You want to move faster without accumulating debt you'll regret
  • You've accepted AI output at face value and it's cost you time
  • You want a clear-headed view on where these tools actually help
Probably not for you if
  • You've never written code and want to learn to program
  • You want a comparison review of every AI coding tool on the market
  • You're looking for AI theory or how language models work internally
  • You expect AI to replace code review or architectural judgment
Required knowledge
You write code regularly — any language. Basic Git and IDE familiarity assumed.
Tools needed
Any AI coding assistant (Copilot, Cursor, Claude, etc.) — free tiers work fine.
Time commitment
~1 hr of video. Apply it in your next PR or feature.
Curriculum

4 lessons across 2 modules

1 lessons free to preview
01Working with AI in a codebase
2 lessons
What AI coding tools are actually good at
Video
14:50Preview
2
Reviewing AI output like it matters
Video · Exercise
16:30Locked
02Staying in control
2 lessons
1
Prompting for maintainable code, not just working code
Video · Code
15:40Locked
2
Building a sustainable AI-assisted workflow
Video · Quiz
13:00Locked
Assessments

How you prove you've got it

Complete all to earn your certificate
Quiz4 quizzes · auto-graded
Module knowledge checks
Short quizzes after each module. Unlimited attempts — pass at 80%.
Assignment2 assignments
Map & scope a real workflow
Apply the framework to a workflow from your own work or business.
ExerciseHands-on
In-lesson coding exercises
Build and extend the agent as you go, with worked solutions.
Final projectReviewed
Ship your own agent
Submit a working agent. Get written feedback from the instructor.
Materials

What's included

PDFAI code review checklist
PDFPrompting patterns for engineers
TEXTFull lesson transcripts
SLIDESLesson slide decks (downloadable)
Access & delivery

How the course is delivered

Format
Self-paced — start anytime, learn on your own schedule
Access period
Lifetime access, including all future updates
Devices
Desktop and mobile — pick up where you left off across devices
Downloads
Materials downloadable; video streams from the platform
Updates
Lessons updated as tools change — you keep access to new versions
Support & community

You won't be stuck on your own

Q&A
Instructor Q&A
Ask questions on any lesson. Answered within ~2 business days.
Community
Student discussion
A private community to share work, get unstuck, and compare builds.
Live
Monthly office hours
Optional live sessions to walk through your own workflow.
Certification

Finish strong, get certified

  • Certificate of completion issued on the platform
  • Earned by completing all lessons, quizzes, and the final project
  • Shareable link with a unique verification ID
  • Add it to LinkedIn or your portfolio
  • This is a course certificate, not a formal accreditation
John Soriano · Courses
2026
Certificate of completion
Maria Santos
AI-Assisted Engineering Basics
Issued Jul 2026ID · JS-CERT
Instructor
JS
John Soriano
Technical Founder · Product Engineer · Founder of XataTech

Around ten years building software, AI systems, and automation for companies across the US, Europe, Australia, and the Philippines. This course is the same approach I use in real client work — not theory. I teach the patterns that survived contact with production.

Pricing

Free — full access

AI-Assisted Engineering Basics
Free
free · lifetime access
  • 4 lessons · ~1 hr of video
  • Code review checklist and prompting patterns PDF
  • Lifetime access
Start free
FAQ

Common questions

How long do I have to complete the course?
It's self-paced with lifetime access — there's no deadline. Most students finish in one to two weeks of casual study.
Do I need to be a strong programmer?
No, but you should be comfortable reading JavaScript or Python and understand basic API concepts. The exercises are guided with worked solutions.
Can I watch on mobile?
Yes. The platform works on desktop and mobile, and your progress syncs across devices.
Can I download the materials?
All worksheets, slides, code, and transcripts are downloadable. Video streams from the platform.
Is there a certificate?
Yes — complete all lessons, quizzes, and the final project to earn a shareable certificate with a verification ID.
What if it's not for me?
There's a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it's not a fit, email for a full refund — no friction.
Do I get future updates?
Yes. As tools and best practices change, lessons get updated and you keep access at no extra cost.
Enroll

Ready to start?

Preview the free lessons, then enroll on the platform for lifetime access to everything.