Hands-On Learning
Build and deploy AI/ML solutions using AWS services including SageMaker, Bedrock, S3 Vectors, and Lambda.
BOT Academy
Build and certify your AWS AI/ML skills, in person.
An immersive, in-person AWS AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp designed for professionals ready to build practical AI/ML skills and prepare for the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate (MLA-C01) exam.
Details
Program at a glance
Dates for the next cohort are being confirmed. Check the events calendar or contact us to be notified when they are announced.
- Duration
- 4 weeks16 total hours
- Format
- In personInstructor-led sessions
- Schedule
- TBASaturdays · 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Certification
- AWS MLA-C01ML Engineer – Associate
Overview
About the bootcamp
This four-week bootcamp combines hands-on labs, real-world use cases, and certification-aligned instruction to help participants move confidently into AI/ML roles or expand their existing technical skill set.
Participants work directly inside a BOT-managed AWS environment, gaining experience with modern AI/ML and generative AI services used in real enterprise settings — designed with enterprise-level guardrails, cost controls, and best practices, so the experience translates directly to professional environments.
Real-World Application
Work through realistic use cases and a capstone project designed to mirror real production environments.
What you will learn
Four-week curriculum
- Week 1
AI/ML Foundations & Exam Mapping
- AI vs ML vs Generative AI
- Core ML concepts and tradeoffs
- Overview of the MLA-C01 exam domains
- Hands-on data exploration in SageMaker
- Week 2
Data Preparation & Model Development
- Data cleaning and feature engineering
- Training and evaluating classical ML models
- Understanding performance, bias, and interpretability
- Week 3
Generative AI & Foundation Models
- Prompt engineering and RAG fundamentals
- Using Amazon Bedrock and Titan models
- Building AI workflows with LangChain and S3 Vectors
- Week 4
Capstone & Certification Readiness
- Design and deploy an AI/ML solution
- Build and demo a Bedrock-powered agent
- Exam strategy and next-step study planning
Cost
Pricing & access
$100Orange County residents
$250Non–Orange County residents
$0Scholarship (limited availability)
Scholarship seats are limited and awarded through the application review process. Seats are limited and not all applicants will be accepted.
Even with over 25 years in technology, I recognized the need to retool and modernize my skill set, especially with the rise of AI and cloud computing.
How it is taught
Approach & instruction
BOT Academy’s approach emphasizes practical skill development, exam alignment, responsible AI principles, and confidence in applying AI/ML tools beyond the classroom.
Your instructor
Joshua Walker
Founder & Board Chair
Josh Walker builds AI systems for some of the largest companies on the planet. He also believes the next generation of engineers building those systems should look nothing like the ones who came before.
A Senior Leader at a leading Big 4 consulting firm, Walker serves as VP of AI and Engineering and AWS Alliance Lead, architecting cloud-native and agentic AI platforms for clients across Life Sciences, pharmaceuticals, and marketing technology. His delivery portfolio spans household names in pharma, consumer brands, and enterprise software. He holds 13 official AI certifications, is a four-time AWS Community Builder, and a past speaker at major tech events including Amazon’s DC Summit.
That commitment to access is the foundation of Building Our Tech, the nonprofit Walker co-founded to train and upskill people for the technology jobs of tomorrow and help early-stage startups get investor-ready before they walk into a VC room. He extends the same mission through his TikTok platform, where he translates enterprise AI and cloud concepts for an audience that does not need a corporate badge to benefit from knowing them.
In person, in a managed AWS sandbox
Enterprise guardrails and cost controls, so what you practise here transfers to work.
FAQ
AI/ML Bootcamp questions
What certification does the bootcamp prepare me for?
The AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate exam (MLA-C01).
How long is the bootcamp?
Four weeks, 16 total hours, delivered in person on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Cohort dates are announced ahead of each intake.
What will I actually build?
Participants work inside a BOT-managed AWS sandbox environment using SageMaker, Bedrock, S3 Vectors, and Lambda, and complete a capstone project that includes deploying an AI/ML solution and demoing a Bedrock-powered agent.
How much does it cost?
It is $100 for Orange County residents and $250 for non-Orange County residents, with a limited number of $0 scholarship seats awarded through the application review process.
Is this suitable for experienced technologists?
Yes. The bootcamp is designed for professionals ready to build practical AI/ML skills, whether moving into AI/ML roles or expanding an existing technical skill set.
Apply
Seats are limited.
Not all applicants will be accepted. Apply early and tell us what you are aiming to build.