ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech University is continuing its exploration of generative artificial intelligence by offering a free community AI class during the Spring 2024 semester.
“We’ve noticed that with the speed that AI evolves and is developed there is an increasing gap between conventional education and the newest developments,” course instructor Konnor Young said in an email sent to St. George News. “We wanted to create a class where people could gather to discuss AI advancements and how AI can be utilized in their space.”
Utilization of AI spans across the board, from education and business to learning and development.
This course follows the success of the AI pop-up community class held last fall and will be in the Science, Engineering and Technology building. Seating for the free class is limited, but the pop-up format allows attendees the flexibility to choose classes in which they hope to participate.
Young said he and his colleagues decided that AI needed to be discussed, which prompted them to create the program.
“There is so much evolving and coming out about AI that we wanted to be sure to keep ourselves (and anyone else) as up-to-date as possible,” Young said.
Young highlighted the increasing prevalence of AI and emphasized the importance of understanding its workings.
“AI is pervasive, and it will be everywhere sooner rather than later,” he said. “These classes provide a great opportunity for individuals already interested in AI to delve into its functionality and explore potential applications.”
The course will primarily feature discussion-based sessions, focusing on topics such as prompt engineering, app-building and coding with AI, according to a press release issued by the university. It also aligns with Utah Tech’s polytechnic mission and emphasizes hands-on learning, preparing students for their careers.
“If anyone is interested in how AI could be effectively used in your life feel free to join,” Young added. “A lot of the classes are going to be more code-focused and slightly less ‘beginner friendly’, but the first few weeks on custom GPTs would be a good place for people to start.”
The class is held every Wednesday at noon in the Science, Engineering and Technology building in classroom 106. The first class begins Wednesday, Jan. 24.
To learn more about each session’s discussion topic, visit this website.
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