TAMPA — For those still wondering whether they want to dip their toes into artificial intelligence, the University of South Florida is offering a pool to do so.
Now through March 24, USF is offering a free, online, self-paced micro-course, “GenAI In Action: Impact and Possibilities,” for those interested in an introduction.
No minimum educational requirements are necessary.
“This course is not for power users of AI already,” said Christine Brown, the associate vice president of innovative education at USF. “It is for people who still kind of want to learn a little bit more, and they need a little bit of an overview of what AI is.”
The course is the latest iteration of one first offered nearly two years ago. Then, “GenAI and ChatGPT” was created to help understand the buzz around ChatGPT.
“A lot of people had recognized and started using it and experimenting with it, and just kind of wanted to know more,” Brown said. “So obviously, at USF, we have access to experts in the field as well as practitioners. So, we’re hearing from people in the community, we’re hearing from our own faculty and staff, and we wanted to do something to get people more information on this.”
Roughly 4,500 people took advantage of the original course. It wasn’t long after, however, that much of what was taught in that course became outdated due to the rapid growth of the technology.
But it received positive reviews, and Brown said she was still being asked by people wanting to learn more about AI.
So, she pursued an updated course.
“We kind of looked back at our original course, and we were like, ‘Let’s revamp this,’” she said.
The course takes three to five hours to complete and can be consumed by users at their own pace.
However, it will no longer be available after March 24.
The course is divided into three modules.
The first is led by Dr. John Licato from USF’s new AI, Cybersecurity and Computer Science College, which launches this fall. It focuses on demystifying AI and providing an overview of the newest technology, as well as best uses.
“We talk about all of the pros and cons and aren’t just saying AI is the best thing ever and it’s going to revolutionize everything,” Brown said. “We really go through what it is, and how to use it ethically and responsibly.”
Brown will help with some of her own expertise on how to formulate prompts to get the most out of AI, like analyzing an Excel document or doing other data analysis.
In the second module, Dr. Jenifer Schneider, the interim dean of the College of Education, explains how students, parents and teachers are using generative AI platforms in the classroom.
And the third module features a panel moderated by Dr. Licato with business leaders from the Tampa Bay community, who will discuss their insights and the impact of AI on the workforce.
There will be activities and quizzes to help with reinforcing what is being taught.
The course, according to the sign-up page, will help students use effective prompts, build their own AI toolkit for writing, research or learning, and develop an action plan for integrating GenAI into their work.
Brown said 2,500 people signed up for the course in the first three weeks it was available.
“And we’re seeing people from all over the world participate, which I think is amazing,” she said.
Those interested in the course can register at tinyurl.com/USFGenAI. You will have to create a Canvas account first.