Day-to-Day AI: An Introduction to Generative AI for University Administrators

Presenter: Alan Cafferkey, Ph.D. (cafferkey@fordham.edu)

Are you curious about generative AI? Want an explanation of how it works? An overview of potential real-world uses? Tips on how to spot AI hallucinations and how to avoid them? And be able to speak on the topic a bit more supportively with students?

Join us for a hands-on, practical workshop where we confront the fact that while generative AI creates compelling content, it doesn’t always create truth. The real benefits will stem from your understanding of its capabilities and limitations.

Together, we will:

• Understand the fundamentals of generative AI and how it differs from traditional conceptions of AI
• Explore real-world examples and case studies that highlight both the promise, pitfalls, and ethical questions of this technology
• Access a curated list of the best generative AI tools currently available
• Review “prompt engineering” best practices to get the most relevant, accurate, and useful responses from AI tools.
• Discover practical ways to integrate AI into your workday, including:
  • Summarizing documents
  • Classifying and organizing data
  • Generating or completing text
  • Getting coaching, advice, and suggestions
  • Finding answers 

This workshop is open to all university members but will be particularly beneficial for administrators looking to: streamline repetitive tasks, enhance decision-making with AI insights, and unlock new efficiencies in day-to-day operations.