Course 2: AI in Our Lives

Course Overview

This mini-course explores how AI is already integrated into daily life and provides hands-on guidance for using common AI tools effectively and safely. We’ll examine how AI enhances everyday experiences and how you can leverage these tools more intentionally while addressing important questions about privacy, data security, and ethical considerations.

Module Structure

Module 1: Personal AI Assistants (25 minutes)

Key Topics:

• The invisible AI assistants already in your daily routine
• Common AI tools and their practical applications
• A typical day with AI integration
• Getting started with ChatGPT and other conversational AI tools

Practical Exercise: Creating personalized prompts for everyday tasks with Claude

Module 2: Content and Entertainment (20 minutes)

Key Topics:

• AI-powered recommendation systems (music, video, shopping)
• Creative tools for image, audio, and video generation
• How content curation algorithms work
• Maintaining diversity in an algorithmic world

Practical Exercise: Using AI tools to create personalized content recommendations

Module 3: Productivity and Creativity Tools (25 minutes)

Key Topics:

• Building your AI productivity stack
• AI writing and communication tools
• Creative expression using AI image generators
• Smart home management and automation
• Optimizing your AI workflow

Practical Exercise: Creating a practical workflow with Perplexity AI for research tasks

Module 4: Digital Security and Privacy (20 minutes)

Key Topics:

• Common AI tool pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Privacy considerations when using AI tools
• Creating personal data boundaries
• The human-AI partnership: enhancement not replacement
• Best practices for AI security and data protection

Practical Exercise: Conducting a personal data audit with AI assistance

Learning Objectives

By the end of this mini-course, learners will be able to:

• Identify and leverage AI tools already present in their digital environment
• Develop practical strategies for using AI applications more effectively
• Implement essential privacy and security practices for an AI-powered world
• Create frameworks for making ethical decisions about AI use
• Build a personalized collection of AI tools that enhance rather than diminish their agency

Course Materials

• Video lectures for each module
• Interactive exercises with popular AI tools
• AI tool evaluation frameworks
• Privacy and security checklists
• Workflow integration templates