Applied Automation Systems Lab

A hands-on Pasadena lab to build and stress-test a repeatable AI workflow with human oversight, validation, and failure controls. Applied Automation Systems Lab is an in-person event. Join us to explore applied automation systems in a hands-on lab setting. Practical AI Workflow Lab is a three-hour, hands-on workshop where business professionals build and stress-test repeatable AI workflows. Using sample data, participants explore input validation, human review, error handling, and controlled implementation. No coding experience required. TIMELINE: • 1:15 PM–1:30 PM - Check-In & Workstation Setup QR check-in, seating assignment, Wi-Fi setup, and laptop readiness checks. Participants access prepared scenario files, confirm their tools are available, and prepare for the guided exercises. Coffee, tea, water, and light snacks are available during arrival. • 1:30 PM–1:45 PM - From Prompt to System The instructor compares one-off AI requests, reusable prompts, multi-step workflows, and unattended automation. Participants learn why reliable systems need clear boundaries and review checkpoints, focusing on automating repeatable tasks while keeping people responsible for decisions that require judgment. • 1:45 PM–2:15 PM - Module 1: Scenario Audit Before using AI tools, participants map a sample business process on a Workflow Architecture Sheet: trigger, input, required fields, AI task, validation, human review, output, and failure path. They identify missing-information risks and decide when a workflow must stop rather than guess or produce unsupported results. • 2:15 PM–2:50 PM - Module 2: Build the Processing Layer Participants build the core AI step using a clear role, approved source, task, constraints, output format, and escalation rule. Working with organizer-prepared sample data, they test whether the system returns structured results, avoids unsupported assumptions, and flags cases requiring human review. • 2:50 PM–3:00 PM - Break Refreshments and workstation reset before the next hands-on module. • 3:00 PM–3:35 PM - Module 3: Connect the Workflow Participants connect a sample trigger, structured input, AI processing step, validation check, human approval point, and approved output using the announced tools. They examine how the steps interact and where controls belong. The result is an educational prototype, not production-ready software. • 3:35 PM–4:00 PM - Workflow Stress Test In groups of four, participants test workflows with missing fields, conflicting details, unclear requests, unsupported claims, long inputs, and formatting errors. Each result is marked PASS, FAIL, ESCALATE, or FIX, helping the group locate weak points and revise the workflow rather than assume it works. • 4:00 PM–4:20 PM - Controlled Deployment Blueprint Participants draft a narrow, controlled follow-up test plan covering the use case, authorized data, human reviewer, measurable success check, stop conditions, and review date. They define what would justify continuing, revising, or stopping the experiment without treating the prototype as ready for full deployment. • 4:20 PM–4:30 PM - Closing & Optional Follow-Up The instructor reviews common architecture lessons and failure patterns identified during the lab. Participants finalize their next steps and may voluntarily scan a separate QR code for future workshop information. Registration does not automatically enroll anyone in an alumni group or mailing list.