Foundation - Week 1
How AI Actually Thinks
Replace fear with understanding, start building the AI habit.
Session Overview
60 min
Interactive session with discussion
- Address common AI concerns and misconceptions head-on
- Understand why AI matters for your work
- Practice refining queries for better results
- Establish your first AI conversation habit
- Set up Perplexity for homework assignment
Session Materials
Session Guide
Full session outline with talking points and timing for facilitators.
Facilitator ResourceAI Concerns Discussion Guide
Common fears and honest responses. The foundation for our opening discussion.
Discussion MaterialThe Shape of Meaning
Interactive explainer: How LLMs represent concepts in vector space.
Interactive ReadingThe Two Roads of AI
Visual timeline of AI history - why the symbolic path faded and neural won.
Going Deeper (Optional)Homework Assignment
Perplexity challenge plus "Shape of Meaning" reading assignment.
Due Before Module 2Session Debrief
Consolidated notes from Week 1 sessions across all cohorts.
Post-Session NotesBefore This Session
No pre-work required for Module 1. Come ready to share your current relationship with AI tools - what you've tried, what worked, what didn't.
If you haven't already, create a free account at perplexity.ai - we'll use it during the session.