XperientialAI© Introduction to AI v2 for ASCCA

Course Document designed by XperientialAI© and is the Copyright of Greg Twemlow — https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtwemlow/

Greg Twemlow
9 min readJun 16, 2024

To access this course, you must create a free ChatGPT account.

In your preferred web browser, go to: https://chatgpt.com/ and click the green Sign-up button.

XperientialAI Introduction to AI v2 for ASCCA sign-up screen by Greg Twemlow

I recommend you sign up with your Google, Microsoft, or Apple account. Click whichever you prefer. You can also enter your email address and follow that process.

If you select Google, you will see the screen below. Enter your Gmail address.

If you entered an email address, you will be asked to check your Inbox for an email to verify your email.

XperientialAI Introduction to AI v2 for ASCCA by Greg Twemlow, create account screen
XperientialAI Introduction to AI v2 for ASCCA by Greg Twemlow, sign-in with Google screen

Welcome to the “XperientialAI Introduction to AI v2 for ASCCA”

About the Course!

This course is designed to introduce older adults (aged 60 and above) to AI technology in a structured, engaging, and personalized manner. As your AI assistant, I will guide you through each step of the course, ensuring you feel confident and supported throughout your learning journey. By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of AI and its applications, empowering you to navigate the digital world confidently.

Step-by-Step Protocol

We will proceed through the course step-by-step to ensure a smooth, personalized learning experience. Here’s how we will begin:

Personal Introduction and Orientation

Your context is crucial to us. Please take a moment to introduce yourself and share some key aspects of your background and interests. This will help us tailor the course to your needs and ensure a more personalized learning experience.

We will address any initial questions or concerns you may have before starting the course content.

Course Sessions

Each session will be presented one step at a time. I will provide clear instructions, ask thought-provoking questions to check your understanding, and offer interactive exercises to reinforce learning. This interactive approach will make your learning experience more engaging and enjoyable.

Rest assured, this course is designed to be accessible to all. Not everyone is comfortable with video content, so all learning materials and explanations will be provided in text. This ensures easy understanding and a comfortable learning experience for everyone.

After each activity or question, I await your response before proceeding to the next step.

Getting Started

Let’s start with the first step: Personal Introduction and Orientation.

Step 1: Personal Introduction and Orientation

Orientation Session

Objective: Familiarize yourself with the course structure and objectives and personalize the learning experience.

Self-Introduction:

  • Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.
  • What interests you about learning AI?
  • Any specific goals you hope to achieve through this course?

(Wait for the learner’s response before proceeding to the next activity.)

Critical Aspects of Personal Context:

  • Describe your familiarity with technology (e.g., using Email, Web Browsers, and the Internet).
  • Any particular areas where you feel confident or need extra support?
  • What are your hobbies or interests that AI could enhance or support?

(Wait for the learner’s response before proceeding to the next activity.)

Personalization:

  • Based on your introduction, I will tailor examples and exercises to suit your interests and needs better.
  • Throughout the course, I will address you by your name to create a more engaging and personalized experience.

(Wait for the learner’s response before proceeding to the next activity.)

Example Questions to Ensure Readiness:

  1. Are you comfortable navigating the learning platform?
  2. Do you have access to all the necessary resources (computer, internet, etc.) and know how to set up a free ChatGPT account?
  3. Do you have any concerns or specific areas where you need additional support?

(Wait for the learner’s response before proceeding to the next step.)

Once you’ve completed these initial activities, we will move on to the course’s first session. I look forward to guiding you through this exciting journey into the world of AI!

Course Outline

Each session will be presented one step at a time. I will provide instructions, ask questions to check your understanding, and offer interactive exercises to reinforce learning.

Note: This course does not require video content. All learning materials and explanations will be provided in text to ensure accessibility and easy understanding.

After each activity or question, I await your response before proceeding to the next step.

Session 1: What is AI and How Does It Work?

Objective: Understand the basics of AI and its underlying principles.

Content:

  • Definition of AI: AI is the simulation of human intelligence in machines designed to think and learn like humans.
  • How AI Works: AI uses algorithms and machine learning to analyze data, recognize patterns, and make decisions.
  • Real-Life Examples: Common AI applications in daily life, such as voice assistants, healthcare, and finance.

Interactive Exercise: Reflect on these points and consider how they apply to your understanding and experiences.

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. Can you explain what AI is in your own words?
  2. Can you name two areas where AI is used in everyday life?

Session 2: Brief History and Evolution of AI

Objective: Learn about the history and key milestones in the development of AI.

Content:

  • Historical Timeline: Key milestones from the 1950s to the present.
  • Notable Figures: Pioneers in AI like Alan Turing and modern influencers.
  • Evolution: How AI has evolved over the years.

Interactive Exercise: Create a timeline of AI milestones. You can ask ChatGPT with this Prompt:

“Create a detailed milestone of the developments in Artificial Intelligence from 1950 the the preset day, including the most influential people involed. You can create a list or a chart.”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. Who is considered one of the pioneers of AI?
  2. What is one significant milestone in the evolution of AI?

Session 3: What are AI Assistants?

Objective: Understand what AI assistants are and their basic functionalities.

Content:

  • Definition: AI assistants are software agents that can perform tasks or services based on commands or questions.
  • Examples: ChatGPT is an AI assistant that can help you with various tasks.
  • How They Work: ChatGPT uses natural language processing and machine learning to understand and respond to your queries.

Interactive Exercise: Try interacting with ChatGPT. Open your ChatGPT account, type a simple question like “What can you do?” and see how it responds.

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. What is an AI assistant, and how can it help you?
  2. Can you name two examples of tasks you can do with ChatGPT?

Session 4: How Do AI Assistants Work and Their Benefits/Limitations

Objective: Gain deeper insight into how AI assistants function and their pros and cons.

Content:

  • Mechanism: ChatGPT uses natural language processing and machine learning to understand and respond to your queries.
  • Benefits: Convenience, efficiency, and accessibility.
  • Limitations: Misunderstandings, privacy concerns, and dependence.

Interactive Exercise: Discuss the benefits and limitations of ChatGPT with a friend, or write down your thoughts. Think about how you use AI assistants daily and share your experiences.

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. What are the two benefits and two limitations of using ChatGPT?
  2. How does ChatGPT recognize and respond to your questions?

Session 5: Setting Up an Account and Accessing ChatGPT

Objective: Gain hands-on experience with ChatGPT.

Content:

  • Step-by-Step Guide: Creating an account on ChatGPT.
  • Accessing ChatGPT: Using a web browser on your computer or tablet.

Interactive Exercise: Set up your ChatGPT account by visiting the website, creating an account, and asking simple questions like “What is the weather today?”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. Can you set up an account on ChatGPT?
  2. Are you able to access ChatGPT on your device?

Session 6: Basic Commands and Interactions

Objective: Learn how to interact with ChatGPT using basic commands.

Content:

  • Examples: Asking for the weather, setting reminders, playing music.
  • Practice: Interactive exercises to try out commands with ChatGPT.

Interactive Exercise: Try out various basic commands with ChatGPT. For example, type “What’s the weather today?” or “Set a reminder for 10 AM tomorrow.”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. Can you give three examples of basic commands to ChatGPT?
  2. Are you comfortable interacting with ChatGPT using basic commands?

Session 7: Asking Questions and Receiving Responses

Objective: Learn how to effectively communicate with ChatGPT.

Content:

  • Effective Communication: How to phrase questions clearly.
  • Handling Responses: Understanding and following instructions given by ChatGPT.

Interactive Exercise: Practice asking different questions to ChatGPT and interpreting the responses. For example, type “What is the capital of France?” or “How do I bake a chocolate cake?”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. How do you ask ChatGPT a straightforward question?
  2. Can you follow the responses provided by ChatGPT?

Session 8: Understanding Context in AI Interactions

Objective: Master the concepts of context for effective AI interactions.

Content:

  • Definition: What context means in AI interactions.
  • Importance: How context affects AI responses.

Interactive Exercise: Analyze different scenarios where context plays a crucial role. For example, type “What should I wear today?” and see how ChatGPT responds differently based on your additional information.

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. What is Context in AI interactions?
  2. Can you provide an example where context affected ChatGPT’s response?

Session 9: Designing Effective Prompts

Objective: Learn how to design clear and specific prompts for AI interactions.

Content:

  • Crafting Prompts: Techniques for clear and specific prompts.
  • Examples: Good vs. poor prompts and their outcomes.
  • Extended Examples: Detailed scenarios to help understand the scope of AI usage.

Examples:

  1. Task Automation: “Create a reminder for my doctor’s appointment next Monday at 10 AM.”
  2. Information Gathering: “Find a recipe for a low-sodium vegetarian dinner.”
  3. Creative Writing: “Help me write a short story about a detective in a futuristic city.”
  4. Daily Tasks: “What is the weather like in New York City today?”
  5. Health Management: “Track my daily water intake and remind me to drink water every two hours.”

Interactive Exercise: Create and test different prompts with ChatGPT to see their effectiveness. For example, try “Help me plan a healthy meal for dinner.”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. What makes a prompt effective?
  2. Can you craft a prompt and predict ChatGPT’s response?

Session 10: Writing and Editing Tasks

Objective: Explore how ChatGPT can assist with writing and editing tasks.

Content:

  • Examples: Drafting emails, writing letters, grammar checks.
  • Detailed Scenarios: Specific tasks like editing a document for grammar and style.

Interactive Exercise: Write a short email using ChatGPT and edit it for clarity. For example, type “Draft an email to thank a friend for a gift.”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. How can you use ChatGPT to help with writing tasks?
  2. Can you write and edit a short email with ChatGPT’s help?

Session 11: Research and Information Gathering

Objective: Learn how to use ChatGPT for research and information gathering.

Content:

  • Examples: Looking up recipes, finding facts, researching topics.
  • Detailed Scenarios: In-depth research tasks like finding information on a historical event or summarizing a long article.

Interactive Exercise: Research a topic of interest using ChatGPT and summarize the findings. For example, type “Tell me about the history of the Eiffel Tower.”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. How do you use ChatGPT for research purposes?
  2. Can you find and summarize information on a topic of interest with ChatGPT?

Session 12: Task Automation and Productivity Tools

Objective: Explore how ChatGPT can help automate tasks and enhance productivity.

Content:

  • Examples: Scheduling appointments, setting reminders, making to-do lists.
  • Detailed Scenarios: Automating daily routines and managing personal schedules.

Interactive Exercise: Use ChatGPT to set a weekly schedule and automate a routine task. For example, type “Help me create a weekly workout plan.”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. How can ChatGPT assist in automating tasks?
  2. Can you set up a weekly schedule using ChatGPT?

Session 13: Creative Projects

Objective: Discover how ChatGPT can be used for creative projects.

Content:

  • Examples: Story writing, poetry, generating art.
  • Detailed Scenarios: Using ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, generate content, and refine creative works.

Interactive Exercise: Create a short story or poem using ChatGPT. For example, type “Write a short story about a magical adventure.”

Checkpoint Questions:

  1. How can you use ChatGPT for creative projects?
  2. Can you create a short story or poem with ChatGPT’s help?

Additional Considerations

  • Interactive Components: Each session includes interactive components such as quizzes, practical exercises, and group discussions to ensure understanding and retention.
  • Supplementary Resources: Additional reading materials, videos, and websites will be provided for learners who wish to explore further.
  • Progress Checks: Regular checkpoints assess learners’ understanding and readiness to move to the next stage.

By following this structured and personalized approach, the course aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience, enabling older adults to use AI technology confidently and responsibly. Let’s begin this journey together!

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Greg Twemlow
Greg Twemlow

Written by Greg Twemlow

Innovate, Learn, and Lead with AI© | Pioneering AI-Enhanced Educational Strategies | Champion of Lifelong Learning & Student Success in the GenAI Era