Workshop Overview
Artificial intelligence is a game-changer for business because it provides a tool for the democratization of knowledge and skills, and also supplies the innovation to sift through data and create actionable insights that solve problems and improve business outcomes. This workshop will provide an introduction to AI, focused primarily on using prompts to interact with AI tools, then moving to a history of AI, and most importantly, showing its use in business to harness a competitive advantage. Since engagement is needed to take a disruptive force and leverage it into a great opportunity, we provide hands-on AI examples that participants in the program can use to innovate and create smarter, more inclusive and more resilient businesses.
Available Dates
Custom training available onsite or via Zoom livestream – on your schedule!
Pricing:
Contract pricing information available on request. Contact Mary Patterson for details.
Workshop Outline
- Introduction and History
- What is AI
- Key milestones
- Relevance in business
- Prompting Basics: How to Talk to AI
- What is prompting
- Examples of good vs. poor prompts
- Interactive Activities: AI in Action
- Hands-on AI activities
- Small group collaboration
- AI Tools, Resources and Responsible Use
- Recommended platforms
- Business-ready applications and uses
- Do’s and Don’ts for AI
- Open Q&A and Discussion
- Key takeaways
- Next steps for application
- Resources
Workshop Leads
Lee Laska
Lee Laska is an assistant director in Instructional Technology and Academic Services, a unit of The University of Alabama’s Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education. He is the team lead for Creative Academic Media Services. He has an extensive background in NFL Films, commercials and feature film production. His experience includes 15 years in higher education and 10 years in the military as a contractor for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Defense Health Agency. Currently a PhD student with UA Online, Lee is actively experimenting with AI applications for media production and student engagement. Lee enjoys translating his professional production skills to enhance media production for faculty, online students and the community at large.
Jason Miller
Jason Miller is the director of technology for the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education at The University of Alabama. He has a BA in Computer Network Administration from UA and is currently pursuing an MA in Instructional Technology. His professional interests include providing the highest quality IT support while pursuing cutting-edge technology through thoughtful innovation. Jason has presented at the 2025 South Alabama Conference on Teaching and Learning and the 2025 University of Central Florida Teaching and Learning with AI Conference. He is an early adopter of technology and an AI enthusiast.
Program Manager
Mary Patterson
CPA, SHRM-CPPhone Number: 205-348-7049
Email: professionaldevelopment@ua.edu
Mary Patterson works in the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education at The University of Alabama as Program Manager, where she assists the OTIDE team in designing and implementing professional development and training programs, industrial training programs, and executive education programs. She is a certified public accountant, as well as a certified professional in the Society for Human Resources Management. She works closely with HR departments to design custom training to enhance work objectives, increase productivity and build a positive culture.
