The world is witnessing a technological revolution that experts are comparing to the invention of the Internet itself: generative AI. This groundbreaking innovation has the potential to reshape the landscape of creative and knowledge work, with AI-assisted tools empowering individuals to elevate their skills and capabilities. The most popular generative AI platform, ChatGPT, broke the record for fastest-growing consumer application in history by gaining 100 million users in only two months.
There is a new undergraduate course available to help students stay ahead of the curve, Generative AI and Prompting, set to launch in fall 2023. Registration opened on May 3 for this course that can be put toward an entrepreneurship elective or the Embedded Certificate in Entrepreneurial Thinking.
Developed by Dr. Mohammad Keyhani, PhD, an entrepreneurship professor at the Haskayne School of Business, this course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to harness the power of generative AI effectively and is open to all University of Calgary students, provided they have completed 24 units. The course can be found under the code ENTI 359.03 and will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
"Generative AI is transforming the way we approach creative and knowledge-based work," says Keyhani. "We have entered a new era in which AI technology is allowing us to build on the aggregate of knowledge available and recorded on the Internet, to assist us in everything new we write, create or do.
"Figuring out how to best take advantage of this amazing new tool is not trivial and is a whole new domain of knowledge and expertise that we all need to learn.”
The course will provide an in-depth understanding of generative AI technology, but not from the perspective of the science behind the technology. Rather, the course focuses on the newly emerging field of ‘prompt engineering’ and the skill and knowledge required to effectively harness the power of generative AI.
Focusing on both text generation and image generation, students will learn to use tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney effectively in various professional settings and find innovative solutions to real-world problems. Students will need to acquire paid subscriptions to ChatGPT and Midjourney. Hands-on projects will further allow students to apply their newly acquired skills in practical scenarios.
"The introduction of this course aligns with UCalgary’s Ahead of Tomorrow strategy, which focuses on preparing our students for the rapidly evolving global landscape," says Haskayne Dean Jim Dewald. "Generative AI is a prime example of how emerging technologies are shaping the future of work, and we are committed to providing our students with the tools and knowledge to thrive in this dynamic environment."
The course will also explore potential concerns and cautions regarding the use of AI including issues of plagiarism and intellectual property, as well as questions surrounding authorship and IP rights. The class will also discuss issues of algorithmic bias, data privacy and ethical use of AI in training.
Given the power of ChatGPT and similar technologies to help deliver innovative solutions and change the ways in which we do business, it is important to the Haskayne School of Business to offer students opportunities to explore and develop skills with these technologies.
