{"id":49,"date":"2009-06-10T19:41:33","date_gmt":"2009-06-11T00:41:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/ce\/?page_id=49"},"modified":"2026-03-05T10:46:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T16:46:07","slug":"workshops","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/ce\/workshops\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Workshops"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Community Workshops<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Series<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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April 2, 9, and 16
\n6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
\nBlanchard Hall - Room 110<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Southern Arkansas University is pleased to announce a new educational workshop series on AI and it’s applications in business, everyday life, and how to write better prompts to maximize the effectiveness of AI models.<\/div><\/div>
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Cost: $25
each or all three workshops for $60<\/strong><\/div>
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Please contact Robin Sronce <\/a>with any questions or concerns at rksronce@saumag.edu<\/a> or 870-235-4004<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Session 1 – April 2: Developing AI Literacy: How to Use Generative AI to Save Time, Work Smarter, and Stay Informed
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Presented by Dr. Brianna McCartney<\/span><\/div>

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn\u2019t just for tech experts\u2014it\u2019s a powerful tool that can help streamline daily tasks, boost productivity, and even spark creativity. From writing emails and planning trips to generating meal ideas and summarizing news, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can make life easier in ways you may not have imagined. Whether you’re a working professional, a small business owner, or just curious about how AI can assist in everyday decision-making, this hands-on workshop will show you practical ways to make AI work for you.<\/p><\/div>

In this engaging session, we\u2019ll break down the basics of generative AI in simple terms, explore ethical considerations (like misinformation and privacy), and provide live demonstrations of AI in action. You\u2019ll learn how to use AI for writing, learning, planning, professional development, and even entertainment. Plus, you\u2019ll have the chance to try it out yourself with guided exercises! Whether you\u2019re new to AI or looking to deepen your understanding, you\u2019ll walk away with valuable insights and easy-to-use tools to work smarter, not harder.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Session 2 – April 9: Mastering Prompt Engineering & LLMs: Unlocking the Power of AI-Driven Text Generation<\/span><\/h3>
Presented by Dr. Ahmad Al-Shami<\/span><\/strong><\/div>
Take your AI skills to the next level with modern prompt engineering techniques. This hands-on workshop is designed for AI enthusiasts, and professionals who want to harness the full potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) for diverse real-world applications. Building on foundational AI concepts, this session will introduce practical methods to craft effective prompts, enhance AI outputs, and optimize interactions with LLMs like ChatGPT, Llama-3.1, and LangChain- and NVIDIA NIM powered models.<\/div>
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In this interactive 2-hour workshop, you’ll explore how to structure prompts for maximum accuracy, efficiency, and creativity. You’ll also gain an introductory understanding of advanced techniques, such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Parameter-Efficient-Fine-Tuning (PEFT)\u2014key components for building next-generation AI applications. This session will provide essential skills and hands-on practice to help you get started with developing AI-powered applications, automate workflows, or generate high-quality content.<\/div>
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No prior coding experience is required\u2014just curiosity and a willingness to experiment with AI! Seats are limited, based on FCFS.<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Session 3 – April 16: AI for Business Leaders: Boosting Productivity, Streamlining Operations, and Driving Growth<\/span><\/h3>
Presented by Natasha Riley<\/span><\/strong><\/div>

Transform your business operations with the power of AI. This practical, hands-on workshop is designed specifically for business leaders and entrepreneurs who want to leverage artificial intelligence to save time, reduce costs, and create new opportunities. Building on the foundations of our “AI for Everyday Life” workshop, this session focuses on business-specific applications of generative AI that can give you a competitive edge without requiring technical expertise or significant investment.<\/p>

In this comprehensive workshop, you’ll discover how AI can automate repetitive tasks, enhance customer interactions, improve decision-making, and unlock creative solutions to business challenges. From generating professional content and analyzing customer feedback to streamlining administrative work and developing marketing strategies, you’ll learn practical ways to implement AI tools that deliver measurable results for your business.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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