CSC-150 AI Foundations
AI Foundations introduces students to artificial intelligence tools and practical applications without requiring technical or programming backgrounds. Students learn to effectively use leading AI platforms including ChatGPT, Claude, and specialized tools for text, image, and voice generation. Through hands-on practice with prompt engineering and model comparison using platforms like LM Arena, students develop critical skills in selecting appropriate AI tools, evaluating outputs for accuracy and bias, and integrating AI into their personal and professional workflows. The course emphasizes ethical considerations from the ground up, including privacy, attribution, and responsible AI use. By the end of the course, students can confidently leverage AI tools to enhance productivity, solve problems creatively, and critically assess AI-generated content. No prior AI experience required.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Craft effective prompts to generate high-quality outputs from multiple AI platforms for text, image, and voice applications.
- Evaluate and select appropriate AI models and tools for specific tasks by comparing capabilities, limitations, and performance across different platforms.
- Critically assess AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, and reliability, demonstrating understanding of common failure modes including hallucinations and inherent model limitations.
- Apply ethical frameworks to AI tool usage, including considerations of privacy, data security, attribution, copyright, and responsible deployment in professional contexts.