No technical background required – this course is designed for complete beginners.
Basic digital literacy – comfort with using the internet, mobile devices, and apps.
Curiosity and openness to learning about new technologies.
Delegates will need a smartphone, tablet, or laptop (recommended for the hands-on portion).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere—from the apps we use every day to the tools transforming how we work. But what is AI really, and why does it matter?
This interactive, beginner-friendly course is designed to demystify AI, show you where it already lives in your life, and introduce you to the tools shaping our digital future. You’ll explore the history and workings of AI, see how it’s used in professional settings, and get hands-on with tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. We’ll also dive into the ethical challenges and potential risks of AI in a real, relatable way.
By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with a strong foundational understanding of AI, ideas for practical use in your work or everyday life, and the confidence to keep learning in this fast-moving field.
1. Icebreaker: Yes/No Game - How Smart Are You?
Human intelligence comes before artificial intelligence so let’s kick things off with an interactive challenge.
2. What’s AI Really About?
We hear about AI everywhere, but what exactly is it? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
3. AI in Your Life Right Now (You’re Probably Using It!)
Did you know you’re already using AI? From your favourite social media filters to the smart tech in your car. Let’s explore where AI is hiding in your day-to-day life.
4. The Story Behind AI
AI is nothing new and has come a long way already. Discover how it all started, a brief history, and why it’s suddenly everywhere.
5. How Does AI Work?
Let’s uncover the mechanics behind AI. We’ll chat about machine learning, neural networks, and how computers are becoming more "human" every day.
6. Generative AI - Creating New Stuff with AI
AI has the power to make us all more productive but needs to be used in the right way. There are guidelines for using AI and we’ll brainstorm how AI can be used in all areas of government.
7. Get Hands-On with AI
Let’s try out some AI tools together. We’ll explore apps like ChatGPT, Microsoft Co-pilot and others. You will see AI in action on your own phone or device. We will look at using AI to look into some professional tasks - creating presentations, writing blogs, preparing for and summarising meetings, coding/testing and office automation.
8. The Dark Side of AI
AI isn’t perfect. Let’s talk about some of the risks—like AI making mistakes (bias, hallucinations), security concerns, rogue use of AI and ethical dilemmas.
9. Q&A - Your AI Questions Answered
Got questions? Now’s the time! Let’s talk about anything that’s still on your mind about AI.