Introduction to AI
A plain-English, hands-on class on what artificial intelligence really is, how it works, how to use it well, and how to think about it wisely. No tech background needed.
Artificial intelligence went from a research curiosity to something in our phones, our jobs, and our kids' homework almost overnight. This class is a calm, clear, jargon-free guide for ordinary people who want to actually understand it — not be afraid of it, and not be fooled by the hype either.
You'll learn what AI is (and isn't), how today's tools learn and make mistakes, how to talk to them so they're genuinely useful, and how to use them with wisdom, honesty, and care. Each lesson is short, plain-spoken, and followed by a quick knowledge check. This class also includes a live AI tutor right on the page — you can talk or type to it, in your own language, and practice everything you learn.
What you'll learn
1What AI Actually Is
- 1
What We Mean by “AI”
Cutting through the sci-fi to a working definition.
Quiz - 2
Narrow Tools, Not a Mind
The difference between the AI we have and the AI of the movies.
Quiz - 3
How We Got Here
A short history from rules to learning machines.
Quiz - 4
Review: What AI Actually Is
A quick look back at the big picture.
2How Today's AI Learns
- 5
Training and Inference
The two phases of an AI model's life.
Quiz - 6
What a Language Model Does
The surprisingly simple engine behind the chatbot.
Quiz - 7
Why Data Matters
Garbage in, garbage out — and why bias creeps in.
Quiz - 8
Review: How Today's AI Learns
Recapping training, prediction, and data.
3Talking to AI Well
- 9
Anatomy of a Good Prompt
The simple recipe that makes answers far more useful.
Quiz - 10
Show Examples, Then Refine
Treat it as a conversation, not a vending machine.
Quiz - 11
Review: Talking to AI Well
The habits that make AI genuinely useful.
4Strengths, Limits & Honesty
- 12
What AI Is Great At
Where these tools genuinely shine.
Quiz - 13
Hallucinations: When AI Is Confidently Wrong
The most important limit to understand.
Quiz - 14
Bias, Privacy, and the Human in the Loop
Three cautions to carry into everyday use.
Quiz - 15
Review: Strengths, Limits & Honesty
Holding the good and the cautions together.
5Using AI Wisely — A Faith & Ethics Lens
- 16
Stewardship, Truth, and Human Dignity
Old wisdom for a new tool.
Quiz - 17
Guardrails for Home, Work, and Church
Turning conviction into simple, practical rules.
Quiz - 18
Review: Using AI Wisely
Carrying wisdom to the keyboard.
6Hands-On: Everyday Uses
- 19
Everyday Ways to Use AI
Concrete, friendly starting points.
Quiz - 20
Practice with Your AI Tutor
Try everything you've learned — by voice or text, in your language.
Quiz - 21
Review & Next Steps
Where to go from here.
Join the class to read each lesson and take the knowledge checks.