Local Large Language Model Specialist
Design, build and manage your own AI environment
- Live training with an industry professional
- Fully taught in English
- VLAIO-recognised certificate
Build private AI systems for organisations
Implement LLMs, RAG and AI agents
For IT professionals and AI leaders
Stay future-proof with GDPR-compliant AI
Anyone can install a local model today. The real value lies in the architecture around it.
You will not work on isolated experiments. Instead, you will build a complete implementation case and learn how local LLMs, RAG, AI agents, governance and compliance fit together within a coherent AI ecosystem. This helps you move faster from technical proof of concept to solutions that can actually be deployed within an organisation.
An AI project only succeeds when technology, business and compliance work together.
You learn how to justify technical decisions to management, security teams, legal departments and operational stakeholders. From hybrid architectures and data flows to GDPR, the EU AI Act and human oversight, every decision is placed within a realistic business context.
You develop expertise that goes far beyond implementation alone.
“My interest in AI became a real game changer in my job. By developing a chatbot that improves operational efficiency, I create measurable value for my team.”
Siebe Stroobants, softwaretester at Circet Benelux
Build a complete AI architecture from your home office
Throughout the programme, you work on one continuous implementation project. No disconnected demos or isolated exercises, but a solution that evolves from concept to defendable enterprise architecture.
You work hands-on with LM Studio, Dify, Qdrant, Docker Desktop, bge-m3 embedding models and Unsloth Studio for fine-tuning. You combine local LLMs, RAG, AI agents and governance into a single integrated solution.
Every session builds on a prepared environment. Thanks to guided setup sessions, live troubleshooting, interactive checkpoints and project milestones, you spend your time implementing rather than configuring.
Develop expertise that creates opportunities
Successful AI projects require more than strong technology. Organisations need professionals who can make informed decisions about architecture, compliance, governance and implementation.
You learn how to defend technical decisions to management, clients, security teams and compliance stakeholders. You work with the same considerations organisations face today around local AI, hybrid architectures, GDPR, the EU AI Act and human oversight.
As a result, you strengthen both your technical expertise and your ability to lead AI initiatives within organisations or as a consultant.
Would you also like to master the business side of entrepreneurship, including VAT, bookkeeping and business planning? The E-Start Me Up programme is the perfect complement.
Is this programme right for you?
This programme is designed for IT professionals, AI project leads, technical consultants, innovation managers, data and automation professionals, internal AI champions, solution architects and SME technology decision makers.
You do not need to be a programmer, but you should be comfortable with IT concepts, software installation and technical configuration. Throughout the programme, you work with modern open-source AI tools and develop your own implementation project based on your organisation, department or operational use case.
The programme is primarily delivered online. The first and final sessions take place on campus in Antwerp. At the end, you present your own AI project, including architecture decisions, deployment strategy, governance approach and compliance rationale.
Programme
Local LLM Specialist (in English) - online
The evening programme runs for one year, with one evening session per week on average.
Module 1 — Foundations of Local & Hybrid AI
Topics include local vs cloud vs hybrid AI, GDPR-first decision making, AI model evaluation, LM Studio, Docker fundamentals and AI infrastructure concepts.
Module 2 — RAG & AI Agent Orchestration
Topics include Retrieval-Augmented Generation, vector databases with Qdrant, embeddings and semantic search, Dify workflows, MCP (Model Context Protocol), AI agents and tool calling, multi-agent systems, human-in-the-loop approvals and retrieval quality optimisation.
Module 3 — Compliance, Fine-Tuning & AI Governance
Topics include EU AI Act risk classification, AI System Cards, DPIA creation, audit trails, AI governance workflows, local model fine-tuning and LoRA/QLoRA concepts.
Final assessment (1 hour)
Upon successful completion of all programme components, you receive the recognised Local Large Language Model Specialist certificate.
Voor wie het wil maken ...
FAQ & Practical Information
For this programme you may be eligible for:
- SME e-wallet support (KMO-portefeuille)
- Training vouchers (Opleidingscheques)
This programme is organised by Syntra-AB. For enrolment, conditions, up-to-date programme information, support measures and customer service, please visit their website.
More information and enrolment at syntra-ab.be
Prices, schedules, locations and programme content are provided for informational purposes and may exceptionally change. Always consult the organising Syntra partner for the latest updates.
Who is this programme designed for?
The programme is designed for IT professionals, AI project leads, technical consultants, innovation managers, data and automation professionals, internal AI champions, solution architects and SME technology decision makers.
Why are organisations investing in local AI?
Many organisations want to benefit from AI without exposing sensitive information to external providers. Local and hybrid AI architectures help balance performance, security, governance and compliance
Is the programme focused on theory or practice?
The focus is on practical implementation. You continuously work on your own AI project and apply the technologies in realistic business scenarios rather than purely theoretical exercises.
Do I build a real AI solution?
Yes. Throughout the programme you develop a complete AI implementation project based on a realistic organisational use case.
Why should I learn Local LLMs and private AI now?
Organisations increasingly need AI solutions that balance innovation with privacy, governance and compliance. Local and hybrid AI architectures are becoming a strategic capability for companies operating in regulated or data-sensitive environments.
How is this different from online tutorials?
Online tutorials typically focus on individual tools or isolated concepts. This programme teaches you how to design, implement and defend complete AI systems within a realistic organisational context while receiving expert guidance and feedback.
What will I be able to do after this programme?
You will be able to design, deploy and govern AI solutions using local LLMs, RAG pipelines, AI agents and hybrid architectures. You will understand how to connect AI systems to business data, evaluate architecture decisions and implement solutions that align with GDPR and the EU AI Act.
Which technologies are covered in the programme?
You work hands-on with LM Studio, Dify, Qdrant, Docker Desktop, bge-m3 embedding models and Unsloth Studio for fine-tuning. You also build solutions using local LLMs, RAG pipelines, AI agents and hybrid AI architectures.
Is GDPR covered during the programme?
Yes. GDPR considerations are integrated throughout the programme. You learn how to design AI solutions that align with privacy, governance and compliance requirements.
Does the programme cover the EU AI Act?
Yes. You learn about AI risk classifications, governance obligations and the practical impact of the EU AI Act on AI implementation projects.
Will I learn open-source AI tools?
Yes. The programme intentionally focuses on open-source and freely available technologies that you can continue using after completion.
Do I learn how to fine-tune AI models?
Yes. You are introduced to local fine-tuning techniques and concepts such as LoRA and QLoRA. You learn when fine-tuning is the right approach and when alternatives such as RAG may provide better results.
What does the final project involve?
You present an AI implementation project relevant to your organisation, department or professional context. The project includes architecture decisions, governance considerations, deployment strategy and compliance reasoning.
What is included in the final defence?
You explain and defend your technical architecture, compliance approach, AI governance decisions, deployment strategy and human oversight mechanisms.
Do I need programming experience?
No. Programming experience is not required. However, you should be comfortable with IT concepts, software installation and technical configuration.
What hardware do I need?
A laptop with at least 16 GB RAM and sufficient storage space is recommended. A stronger CPU or GPU can provide additional flexibility when running larger local models.
Do I need a paid AI subscription?
A personal AI subscription may be useful for certain exercises or experiments. Any subscription or additional tool costs are not included in the programme fee.
In which language is the programme taught?
The programme is taught in English. Administrative communication, emails, certificates and official documents are provided in Dutch.
Is this programme relevant for consultants and solution architects?
Absolutely. The combination of architecture, implementation, governance, compliance and stakeholder communication makes this programme highly relevant for consultants, solution architects and AI project leaders.
How does a live online programme work?
This programme is delivered entirely online. You can join the sessions from home, the office or any other quiet location. There is no need to travel, but you are expected to attend the live sessions at the scheduled times.
You learn together with your instructor and fellow participants in a virtual classroom. You can ask questions, contribute to discussions, collaborate on exercises and receive immediate feedback. This combines the flexibility of online learning with the structure, guidance and interaction of a live training environment.
We deliberately choose live online sessions because active participation leads to better learning outcomes. For that reason, sessions are not recorded, including in cases of absence or illness. This helps maintain an interactive learning experience with plenty of opportunities for discussion, questions and practical application.
During each session, you are expected to participate actively, just as you would in a physical classroom. You follow the discussion, use the chat, ask questions and contribute to exercises and conversations. We also encourage participants to keep their camera on whenever possible, as this creates a more engaging and collaborative learning environment.
If you are new to online learning, there is no need to worry. Before the programme starts, you will receive clear instructions about the learning platform, your login details and the first session. If you encounter any technical issues, support is available to help you get started with confidence.
