AI: How to (Actually) Use AI

***IMPORTANT: PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP*** for workshops scheduled at Morgridge Hall! There are no desktop computers at this location and only a limited number of laptops to check-out from the front desk.

Welcome to the “How to (Actually) Use AI” workshop! In this workshop, we will demystify Generative AI by exploring how it works, what its limitations are, and what benefits you can gain as a person, student, and professional by exploring its potential.

We will cover essential concepts to help you optimize your interactions with your generative AI models, including token efficiency, context management, and prompt engineering. Additionally, the workshop addresses critical safety and university policy topics, including:

• Understanding the mechanics of AI hallucinations and how to verify information.
• Navigating academic integrity and UW-Madison’s UWS Chapter 14 policies.
• Protecting data privacy and making safe upload decisions using the “Traffic Light Policy” framework.

By the end of the session, you will learn how to be critical when selecting the right AI tool for specific tasks and apply these concepts in a hands-on activity to build a verifiable academic workspace.