Hands-On With Generative AI Workshop

Gen AI is most powerful when you actually use it. This hands-on workshop is designed to move past demos and buzzwords and start building. Over the course of the workshop, participants will spend time on each topic, actively creating tools, experimenting with workflows, and applying generative AI to their own work. You will leave with concrete assets you can keep using, not just ideas. The workshop is led by Drake University professors Chris Porter and Chris Snider. This will be an in-person workshop. What you will build during the workshop A personal plan for using generative AI in your job Identify where AI can save time, improve quality, or unlock new possibilities in your day-to-day work. Decide what needs human review and what data stays out of AI, then map out next steps. Reusable workflows Save your best instructions as prompts, projects, or skills, tailored to your role and responsibilities, so you are not starting from scratch every time you open an AI tool. An AI agent that completes a real task Set up an agent to handle a multi-step task such as research, writing, or analysis, and schedule it to run on its own, with clear limits on what it can access. A verified research report using advanced research tools and Gemini Notebook Learn how to generate, organize, and synthesize high-quality research using AI-assisted workflows, then check the citations so you can trust what you present. A simple app built in Claude, Gemini or ChatGPT Build a functional AI-powered app that does one job well and supports a real use case relevant to your work. Work assets Use AI to build polished presentations and working spreadsheets you can use in meetings, reports, and day-to-day work, then review the output before you share it. This workshop is ideal for professionals who want practical experience, clear frameworks, and immediately useful outputs. No advanced technical background is required. Curiosity and a willingness to experiment are the only prerequisites. Participants will leave with working tools, increased confidence, and a clear understanding of how generative AI can fit into their work right now. Location: Meredith Hall on Drake University's campus