Goal

Build a **web chatbot** that calls a **large language model** (LLM) through Google Cloud Vertex AI, return answers like ChatGPT, and host it behind a URL you can share with your team.

• Frontend: a simple chat UI (prompt box + responses)
• Backend: Python Flask app running locally (PyCharm) and deployable to cloud
• LLM: Vertex AI pre-built text model (no training required)

Prerequisites

• Google account (Gmail or Workspace) to access GCP
• Billing enabled on your GCP project (free credits often available for new accounts)
• PyCharm installed on your laptop
• Python 3.10+ recommended (python --version)
• Basic knowledge of Python functions, packages, and virtual environments

Course Map (6 Lessons)

1. Overview & Prereqs (this page)
2. GCP Project, Vertex AI API, Credentials
3. PyCharm Project + First Vertex AI Call
4. Build the Chatbot UI (Flask + HTML)
5. Conversation Memory, Logging, Simple Styling
6. Deployment (Cloud Run) + Connect to Your Website