Generative AI has transformed lives and jobs and sparked the creation of tools and new opportunities that weren’t even dreamed of five years ago. From simple chatbots to advanced tools capable of generating text, images, music, videos, and even code, the possibilities are limitless and growing faster than ever. To help people harness the power of this rapidly advancing technology, University of South Florida’s Innovative Education has created GenAI in Action: Impact and Possibilities, a free, self-paced online micro-course open to everyone.
Building on the success of USF’s popular GenAI and ChatGPT micro-course in 2023, this updated version remains free, self-paced, and open to anyone eager to explore GenAI. Registration is open now through March 24 on Instructure’s Canvas Network platform.
“We launched our first GenAI micro-course nearly two years ago to great success, with over 4,500 participants. With AI evolving at lightning speed, this redesigned micro-course brings fresh insights from our USF faculty experts and industry partners,” said Christine Brown, associate vice president for USF Innovative Education. “As a university, we are proud to support our community by offering this incredible resource for hands-on experimentation and real-world application of GenAI.”
WHAT’S NEW IN GENAI IN ACTION
The micro-course includes a new roster of speakers, streamlined assignments, and updated content to reflect the latest breakthroughs in GenAI. It includes concise video lectures paired with hands-on activities that allow learners to experiment with GenAI tools in real-world applications.
It consists of three modules, and over three to five hours, participants will learn how to write effective prompts, build their own AI toolkit for writing, research, or learning, and develop an action plan to integrate GenAI into their work - all while leveraging AI responsibly and ethically.
EXPERT-LED LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Participants will be guided by several thought leaders, including USF faculty, staff, and industry experts.
University of South Florida experts include specialists in education, research, computer science, and literacy studies:
- Christine Brown, associate vice president of Innovative Education
- Evan Fruehauf, assistant librarian
- John Licato, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering
- Bo Pei, assistant professor in the College of Education
- Adam Phillips, assistant professor of instruction and assistant director of first-year writing
- Jenifer Schneider, professor of literacy studies and interim dean of the USF College of Education
Industry professionals include innovators in IT, AI operations, and business strategy:
- Niriksha Patel, senior executive service at Deep Water Point & Associates
- Keith Sartain, senior director of global IT at ConnectWise
- Douglas Smith, director of AI operations at Element451
EARN RECOGNITION
This micro-course is free to access until March 24. Participants have the option to purchase a $39 badge upon completion, one that can be used to showcase skills on LinkedIn, resumes, and email signatures.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW AI EXPERTISE
USF offers a number of online programs and resources designed to help people boost their AI skills.
- Course Enhancement with Generative AI: A self-paced workshop tailored for faculty and practitioners to integrate AI into their teaching.
- USF Libraries AI Resources: Explore tools for research, how to avoid plagiarism, and tips for citing GenAI resources.
- Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence: An engineering-focused graduate certificate designed for professionals who want to learn how to build AI tools or advance their careers in the field.
- USF GenAI: A central hub for information, resources, news and events related to GenAI from the University of South Florida.
To learn more about how the GenAI in Action course can empower you to confidently integrate GenAI into your work and personal projects, visit the website and enroll now!