ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s microlearning series offers a deep dive on AI
Modules available starting this month
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s microlearning series offers a deep dive on AI
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University’s AI Fundamentals Microlearning Series is introducing a new flexible learning pathway to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Online’s catalogue, featuring short modules and live webinars designed to give participants a greater understanding of artificial intelligence.
Enrollment to the series is open now and free for faculty, staff, and current ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students. Cost for alumni and members of the general public .
Each microlearning module will be supplemented by a webinar hosted by the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Alumni Association. Participants will receive a ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú AI Fundamentals digital badge upon completion of the series. The webinars are optional and not required to earn the digital badge.
Faculty, staff, and students for free by logging in with their ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú credentials (links available at the bottom of the course page). External participants , which includes access to the full five-part series and five live webinars.
Dennis Cheatham, associate professor of Communication Design, said the series is helpful for both those who may be brand new to AI or those who want to dig a little deeper on their own. Cheatham’s “What is AI?” was the first module released and is available now. His corresponding is Aug. 27 at noon.
“ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú can make a significant impact in people’s daily lives by offering these kinds of sessions and learning tools,” Cheatham said. “Participants in the microlearning series can start applying these tools and make recommendations for those in their circles and maybe reduce the pitfalls and concerns these technologies can offer.”
“AI is coming at us so quickly. Every day, it feels like there’s some new development,” said Heidi McKee, professor of English and affiliate for Emerging Technology in Business and Design, comparing the present moment to the Industrial Revolution, which spanned the 1700s to the early 1900s.
McKee’s microlearning series and webinar, the second in the series, will focus on ethical issues surrounding AI, including consideration of the harms and challenges of AI, the role of human agency and AI autonomy, the relationships of humans with and toward AI, and how we might approach responsible and ethical usage in different sectors of society.
“Whether you’re 90 years old or 9 years old, you need to be thinking about AI and its impacts, how you want to use it, how you want it to be used, how it intersects with your life and affects broader society,” McKee said.
Modules will be released according to the schedule below. All webinars start at noon:
- Module 1: What is AI?, with Dennis Cheatham, associate professor of Communication Design, Art
- Aug. 7: Course release
- Aug. 27: Webinar
- Module 2: AI and Ethics Considerations for Responsible Usage, with Heidi McKee, professor of Professional Writing, English
- Sept. 3: Course release
- Sept. 10: Webinar
- Module 3: Using AI and Common AI Tools, with Glenn Platt, C. Michael Armstrong Professor of Network Technology and Management
- Sept. 17: Course release
- Sept. 23: Webinar
- Module 4: AI Prompt/Context Engineering, with John Femiani, professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering
- Oct. 1: Course release
- Oct. 8: Webinar
- Module 5: Writing and AI, with Mandy Olejnik, assistant director for Writing Across the Curriculum
- Oct. 15: Course release
- Oct. 21: Webinar
The microlearning series is part of the Disruptive Technology Collaboration initiative from MIamiTHRIVE, the university’s strategic planning process.
The microlearning series was designed for a broad public audience.
“We’ll provide some deeper use case examples that will draw across domains,” McKee said. “There are so many areas to consider that I’m hoping in the webinar that we’ll have the opportunity to have really robust discussions.”
Cheatham, a self-described “techno optimist,” hopes the series serves as a chance to have meaningful conversations about the technology.
“Generative AI is right up there with electricity in terms of advancement,” Cheatham said. “There are unbelievable opportunities but many unexpected and unintended consequences. This is a chance to better understand its context in our world and its impacts.”