GBA409

Generative AI in Practice: Higher Ed Applications for Faculty & Staff

Leveraging AI in Higher Education 

Designed for the University of Rochester community, this course provides hands-on experience in utilizing, designing, and building Generative AI tools that create value in higher education. It will serve as a guide for taking practical steps to integrate AI into university workflows and provide frameworks to help decide how, where, and when to use AI. Course participants will also become conversant with big questions surrounding AI, and the moral, philosophical, and ethical challenges inherent in this new frontier.

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Why Take This Course?

  • Learn how to build and refine ChatGPT prompts, and explore practical ways to apply them effectively.

  • Develop the skills to build an application tailored to your role in higher ed using AI tools. 

  • Gain insight into how to approach ChatGPT with a focus on privacy and data security best practices.

  • Become conversant about the key issues surrounding AI. 

Course Details

Instructor: Dan Keating, Clinical Associate Professor of Business Administration, Simon Business School                          

Schedule: Wednesdays, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. EST (April 2 - April 16) in Gleason 118

Modality: In-person

Cost: $850 (UR Tuition Benefits may cover 80-95% of the cost for eligible employees)
 

Join the Virtual Info Session 

February 12, 2025 • NOON EST

RSVP for the info session by February 11. Zoom information will be sent via email. 

RSVP Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 

Who is this course intended for?

This course is intended for University of Rochester faculty, staff, and affiliates.

 

Do I need to have any background knowledge in AI to enroll in this course?

There is no prerequisite required for this course. If you’re not a particularly technical person, this course can still work for you.

What skills will I gain from taking GBA409?

Building and Iterating ChatGPT Prompts in Higher Ed
• Learn to create and refine ChatGPT prompts for application in higher education.

For Faculty: Enhancing Student Learning with AI
• How do you assign tasks to students using AI?
• How can AI foster creativity among students?

For Staff: Integrating AI into University Workflows
• How do you integrate Generative AI into admissions, advancement, operations, and finance?

For Everyone: Leveraging Generative AI in the Workplace
• How can you effectively generate images with Generative AI?
• How can you integrate AI tools into common office productivity applications?

Building AI Applications for Higher Ed
• Learn to create applications that generate value in higher education using AI tools.

Creating Applications for Your Role in Higher Ed
• Build a simple custom GPT or create more complex solutions, such as using Python to securely call an API.

Using ChatGPT Tools with Private and Secure Knowledge Bases
• Understand data privacy and security concepts
• Learn the best practices and University of Rochester guidelines for using AI tools secure!

Understanding the Big Questions Around AI in Business
• Gain insight into the moral, ethical, and philosophical issues surrounding AI.
• Understand what AI use in business means and its implications.

What will the class sessions look like?

Each class session is ninety minutes. As these sessions begin at noon, participants can bring a brown bag lunch.

Session 1: Interactive case designed to teach curiosity utilizing ChatGPT; to engage with ChatGPT prompts; use industry-standard project management frameworks; generate data visualizations, and to ideate.

Session 2: Interactive case to discuss the philosophy, ethics, and bias of AI.

Session 3: Presentations on the outcomes of your ChatGPT application construction.
 

How much time should I expect to spend on coursework outside of class?

You should expect to spend up to 10 hours of time outside of class over the total three-week period.

 
 
What materials are needed for this course?
  • Students are expected to have a ChatGPT login. For some more advanced applications, students may consider a subscription to ChatGPT Plus ($20 per month + tax).
  • Students should purchase Robot Souls by Dr. Eve Poole. It can be purchased here on Amazon.
  • There is a Harvard Coursepack which will be available for purchase.
  • Optional: Open AI API funding (~$5)

 

Have questions? 

For more information on GBA 409:  

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