AI 112 Applied AI Literacy

Lecture Hours: 2
Credits: 2

Introduces practical uses of artificial intelligence to improve productivity, creativity, and decision-making in everyday life and work. Use AI tools responsibly, identify bias and misinformation, and apply effective prompting strategies. Emphasis is placed on ethical, informed, and skillful use of AI across personal, academic, and professional contexts.

Maximum number of credits course can be taken for: 2

Student Learning Outcomes:

Use AI tools effectively to improve productivity, creativity, and communication in academic, professional, and personal contexts.
Apply responsible AI practices by recognizing bias, misinformation, and ethical concerns in AI-generated content.
Evaluate AI outputs critically for accuracy, relevance, and fairness before applying results to real-world tasks.
Demonstrate effective prompting techniques to obtain useful and context-appropriate results from AI systems.
Explain the basic capabilities and limitations of current AI technologies using accessible, non-technical language.
Compare multiple AI tools or platforms to determine which best supports specific work or learning goals.
Identify privacy, security, and data considerations when using AI in professional or educational settings.
Reflect on the evolving role of AI in society and its impact on work, education, and human decision-making.

Content Outline

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- What AI is (and isn’t)
- Overview of AI in daily life, work, and education
- Historical context and current trends
- Understanding generative AI vs. traditional automation
AI Tools for Productivity and Creativity
- Common AI platforms (ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, etc.)
- Using AI for writing, editing, summarizing, and brainstorming
- AI in spreadsheets, presentations, and data organization
- Time-saving automation and workflow integration examples
Prompting for Effective Results
- Structure of good prompts (context, instruction, tone, output type)
- Role-based prompting and iterative refinement
- Using examples and constraints for clarity
- Avoiding vague or misleading input
Evaluating AI Output
- Checking for accuracy, completeness, and bias
- Recognizing “hallucinations” and unreliable sources
- Comparing AI output to credible human or verified data sources
- Developing a critical-thinking framework for AI results
Ethics, Bias, and Responsible AI Use
- Understanding algorithmic bias and data limitations
- Cultural and accessibility considerations
- Intellectual property and plagiarism in AI-assisted work
- Ethical decision-making models for AI use in education and business
Privacy, Security, and Data Awareness
- What data AI tools collect and store
- Managing sensitive or proprietary information
- Safe and responsible sharing of AI-generated content
- Understanding terms of service and data policies
Comparing and Selecting AI Tools
- Criteria for evaluating AI tools (accuracy, usability, privacy, cost)
- Comparing results across multiple AI systems
- Adapting tools for specific goals (education, business, creative work)
- Accessibility and inclusion in AI tool design
The Evolving Role of AI in Society
- Impacts of AI on employment, creativity, and communication
- Human-AI collaboration models
- Future trends: automation, generative media, and ethics of innovation
- Reflective discussion: where AI fits in your personal and professional life
Final Application / Reflection Project
- Demonstrate AI use in a chosen real-world task
- Explain decision-making process, tool selection, and ethical considerations
- Reflect on skills learned and evolving perspectives on AI