Artificial Intelligence and Me! NEW

Start date: 2nd Nov 2026
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Cost: £38
Day: Monday
Duration: 3 weeks
Tutor: Haydn Rees-Jones AI
Course code: 26AU118
Artificial intelligence is everywhere in the news — exciting, confusing, and sometimes a little worrying. This three‑week course is designed to cut through the noise and give you a clear, friendly, myth‑free introduction to what AI really is, how it works, and how it can genuinely help you in everyday life.
Across three relaxed, enjoyable sessions, you’ll explore AI hands‑on, compare different tools, learn how to get great results, and discover creative and practical ways to use AI at home, at work, and for your hobbies. You’ll also learn how to use AI ethically, safely, and confidently, so you always stay in control.
Whether you’re curious, cautious, or completely new to AI, this course will show you how modern tools can make life easier, spark creativity, and open up new possibilities — all explained in plain English, with plenty of time to experiment and ask questions.
For the first session students will need;
- A smartphone, tablet, or laptop (optional — demonstrations will be shown on screen).
- An open mind and a willingness to experiment.
The course will cover
Week 1 — What AI Is, How It Works & Myth‑Busting
- What modern AI actually is
- How large language models (LLMs) work in simple terms
- Why AI cannot think, feel, or make independent decisions
- Why AI sometimes gets things wrong — hallucinations explained
- The difference between real AI and sci‑fi AI
- Ethical foundations:
- What happens to your data when you use AI
- Why responsible use matters
- Understanding consent when using AI tools
- Why AI outputs must be checked for accuracy
- Myth‑busting
- Hands‑On Activities
Week 2 — Everyday AI: Practical Tools, Strengths, Weaknesses & Responsible Use
- Comparing major AI systems:
- Strengths and weaknesses of each system
- Choosing the right AI for the right job
- Ethical Use in Everyday Life
- When it’s appropriate to use AI at work
- When it’s not appropriate (e.g., confidential data, personal information)
- Understanding bias in AI outputs
- Avoiding plagiarism and respecting copyright
- Ethical prompting: how to ask for help without crossing boundaries
- Using AI images responsibly (e.g., avoiding deepfakes, respecting likeness rights)
- Hands‑On Activities
Week 3 — Creative AI, Personal Projects & Advanced Ethical Exploration
- Creative uses of AI:
- Building your own “AI helper”:
- Bias in training data — how it affects outputs
- Why AI struggles with nuance and sensitive topics
- Ethical image generation:
- When not to use AI
- Hands‑On Activities
By the end of the course students
- Understand how AI works in simple, practical terms
- Know the strengths and weaknesses of different AI systems
- Feel confident about what AI is — and what it isn’t
- Understand the truth behind common AI myths
- Know how to use AI safely and sensibly
- Have practical examples of how AI can help at home, at work, and with hobbies
- Leave with personalised ideas for using AI in their own daily life


