Executive Education
Introduction to AI
Artificial intelligence has moved from science fiction to everyday reality—powering the tools we use at work, the recommendations we see online and the conversations happening in every industry about the future of work. This one-day course is designed to demystify AI for participants with little or no technical background, giving them the vocabulary, context and confidence to engage with AI thoughtfully.
Who Should Attend
No prior technical or programming experience is required—this course is built for professionals, managers and curious learners who want a solid, jargon-free foundation in AI.
At A Glance
Introduction to AI
- One-day, in-person course
- Hands-on practice with everyday AI tools
- No technical background required
- Built for professionals, managers and curious learners
Dates
24 & 25
14 & 15
Costs
$499.00
Session Objectives
- What AI actually is—cutting through hype and buzzwords to understand machine learning, neural networks, and generative AI in plain language
- How AI systems work—a practical, non-technical look at how models are trained and how they generate outputs
- Where AI shows up today—real-world applications across industries, from customer service to healthcare to creative work
- Generative AI and large language models—what tools like ChatGPT and Claude can (and cannot) do, and how to use them effectively
- Opportunities and limitations—a balanced look at what AI does well, where it struggles and common pitfalls to avoid
- Ethics and responsible use—bias, privacy, accuracy and the human judgment AI still requires
- Hands-on practice—guided exercises using popular AI tools, so participants leave with practical experience, not just theory
By the end of the day, participants will walk away with a clear mental model of what AI is and is not, practical experience using common AI tools and the critical-thinking skills to evaluate AI’s role in their own work and life.
Taught By
Ben Nichols
Nichols combines academic rigor with hands-on AI implementation. He teaches AI at Syracuse University and designs AI systems for businesses through Upstate AI. His background spans over 15 years in analytics, product management and technology leadership, with a foundation in applied statistics (M.S. in Statistics and Operations Research, B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy). He builds and operates AI systems daily—a practitioner perspective that distinguishes this workshop from traditional academic programs.