*Students will need to bring either, their smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Foundational understanding

1. Describe in plain language what generative AI is (and isn't), including that it predicts text rather than knows facts.

2. Identify at least three free AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot) and explain the basic differences among them.

3. Create a free account and navigate the basic interface of at least one AI chatbot on their own device.

Practical everyday skills

4. Write a clear, effective prompt using the basics of good prompting (context, specifics, follow-up questions).

5. Use an AI tool to complete common everyday tasks, such as drafting an email or letter, building a grocery list or meal plan around dietary needs, organizing a to-do list or packing list, and planning a trip itinerary or day outing.

6. Refine an AI response through follow-up prompts rather than accepting the first answer.

7. Identify additional personal-use applications relevant to their own lives (e.g., summarizing long documents, explaining medical or insurance jargon in plain terms, hobby ideas, recipes from ingredients on hand).

Safety, ethics, and judgment

8. Recognize that AI can produce confident-sounding errors ("hallucinations") and verify important information with trusted sources.

9. Protect their privacy by knowing what personal information not to share with AI tools (SSNs, banking details, passwords, medical record numbers).

10. Recognize common AI-powered scams targeting adults (voice cloning, phishing emails, fake images) and know basic red flags.

11. Describe simple ethical guidelines for AI use, such as disclosing AI assistance when appropriate and not presenting AI writing as their own in formal contexts.

Confidence and independence

12. Leave with a personal "cheat sheet" of prompts they can reuse at home.

13. Know where to go for continued learning and help (The AI Trailblazer, The Ethical AI Guidebook, etc.).

Instructor BIO: 

Jessica Clanton has taught physical sciences at Arkansas State University–Mountain Home for 19 years. She is the founder and chair of the ASUMH Workgroup on Artificial Intelligence and co-author of the ASUMH Ethical AI Guidebook, which helps students and faculty use AI tools responsibly. Jessica believes AI should be useful, understandable, and safe for everyone regardless of their tech background.