Vanderbilt University
Generative AI Database Design & Management with ChatGPT
Vanderbilt University

Generative AI Database Design & Management with ChatGPT

Dr. Jules White

Instructor: Dr. Jules White

Top Instructor

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete
3 weeks at 1 hour a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete
3 weeks at 1 hour a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Have AI interview you with intelligent questions to uncover critical data insights and identify database design blind spots

  • Use AI to simulate database designs before implementation to identify performance issues, better designs, and additional data needs

  • Brainstorm and generate complete dashboard and reporting implementations on top of your database in seconds without programming

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

April 2025

Assessments

2 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Generative AI SQL Database Specialist with ChatGPT Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate
Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 4 modules in this course

This module introduces you to transformative techniques for using AI as a true design partner in database development, helping you create schemas that are more adaptable, robust, and aligned with business needs. Key Topics: Flipped Interaction Pattern: Having AI interview you about requirements to uncover critical insights SQL Implementation Generation: Creating complete, ready-to-use database schema scripts from conversations Database Schema Visualization: Converting requirements into entity-relationship diagrams and visual models Cross-Database Targeting: Generating implementation SQL for different database systems (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.) Design Package Creation: Building reusable archives that capture design context and reasoning Bootstrapping Conversations: Ensuring AI fully understands your schema in new design sessions Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, students will be able to: Use the flipped interaction pattern to have AI ask you questions about requirements Generate complete SQL implementation scripts for your database design Create entity-relationship diagrams and visualizations from conversations Retarget schemas across different database platforms with minimal effort Transform conversations into comprehensive design packages with SQL implementation Bootstrap new conversations by having AI analyze existing schemas Verify AI's understanding of database structure before proceeding This module teaches a fundamentally new approach to database design. Rather than starting with a blank page, you'll learn to engage AI in thoughtful conversation about your data needs. Students will discover how to have the AI interview them about requirements, generate SQL schemas, and create multiple artifacts that capture both the implementation code and the reasoning behind design decisions. The techniques you'll learn aren't just about working faster—they're about thinking more deeply about your database design while still producing concrete SQL implementation that can be immediately deployed. You'll learn how to rapidly move from conceptual design to physical implementation across different database platforms, all while maintaining complete documentation of the design process.

What's included

3 videos3 readings1 assignment

This module explores how to leverage AI to dramatically accelerate the database design lifecycle through iterative prototyping, simulation, and testing—all before writing a single line of implementation code. Key Topics: Database Persona Simulation: Teaching AI to act as your database and execute queries against schemas that don't exist yet Gap Analysis: Identifying what questions your database design can't answer efficiently Multiple Design Exploration: Generating and evaluating competing database architectures simultaneously Load Testing Simulation: Predicting performance bottlenecks under various usage scenarios Schema Resilience Testing: Validating designs against unexpected query patterns Conversational Design Refinement: Using targeted AI questioning to iteratively improve schemas Design Package Evolution: Creating comprehensive design artifacts that capture reasoning and refinement history Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, students will be able to: Simulate database query execution against unimplemented schemas Identify design limitations and gaps through AI-powered analysis Rapidly iterate through multiple schema variations to find optimal solutions Test schema performance characteristics without implementation Generate realistic test queries that challenge design assumptions Create documentation that captures the evolution of design thinking This module transforms database design from a slow, implementation-heavy process into a rapid, iterative conversation. Students will learn to catch design flaws early, explore exponentially more design options, and arrive at higher quality schemas.

What's included

7 videos3 readings1 assignment

This module focuses on transforming database designs into actionable insights through AI-powered dashboard and reporting tools. Students will learn how to rapidly prototype and implement visualization solutions that directly connect to their database designs. Key Topics: Rapid Dashboard Prototyping: Converting requirements into visual mockups and functional prototypes in minutes Database Performance Optimization: Identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks for reporting workloads Materialized Views & Summary Tables: Designing database structures specifically optimized for reporting Report-Driven Schema Evolution: Using reporting needs to refine underlying database designs Interactive Implementation: Generating functional Python visualization code that connects directly to databases Dashboard Package Creation: Building comprehensive, shareable dashboard solutions Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, students will be able to: Generate complete Python dashboard implementations with minimal coding Identify database design limitations for reporting through AI-powered simulation Design database schemas optimized for both transaction processing and analytics Create interactive visualizations that effectively communicate database insights Develop a holistic approach to database and reporting design as interconnected systems This module bridges the gap between data storage and data insight, teaching students to think about databases not just as repositories of information, but as foundations for decision support systems.

What's included

3 videos3 readings

This module explores powerful techniques for using AI to transform existing data sources into optimized database designs and manage schema migrations when requirements change. Key Topics: Excel-to-Database Transformation: Converting spreadsheet collections into proper relational schemas Visual-to-Schema Design: Creating database designs from photographs or diagrams of real-world items Step-by-Step Migration Planning: Designing low-risk database schema changes when requirements evolve Schema Evolution Strategies: Balancing backward compatibility with new requirements Migration Risk Analysis: Identifying potential pitfalls in schema changes Data Preservation Planning: Ensuring existing data integrity during migrations Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, students will be able to: Transform Excel spreadsheets and other existing data into optimized database schemas Generate complete SQL implementation scripts from non-database sources Design step-by-step migration plans for simple and complex schema changes Evaluate alternative migration approaches based on risk and business impact Create SQL scripts that safely migrate data while preserving functionality Design database schemas starting from photos, descriptions, or other non-traditional inputs This module teaches you to move beyond the blank-slate approach to database design. You'll learn to work with the raw materials you already have - whether that's Excel files, existing databases that need evolution, or even just photographs of real-world items you want to track. The techniques you'll master will help you handle one of the most challenging aspects of database management: safely evolving schemas when requirements change. You'll learn to have AI create detailed, step-by-step migration plans that minimize risk while enabling your database to adapt to new business needs.

What's included

2 videos3 readings

Instructor

Dr. Jules White

Top Instructor

Vanderbilt University
40 Courses682,179 learners

Offered by

Explore more from Data Management

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

New to Data Management? Start here.

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions