From Curious to Confident: A Practical Guide to Using AI

From Curious to Confident:   A Practical Guide  to Using AI

An MBA Series of Webinars

By

Caleb Asbridge

February 12, 17 and 19, 2026

Each webinar will begin at 2 pm central time and, depending on the needs

of the participants, will end between 3:30 and 4 pm

 

 

February 12 -Understanding AI and Getting Started

This first session is for anyone who’s ever felt curious about AI but unsure where to start. We’ll cut through the noise to explain what AI really is (and isn’t), how large language models like ChatGPT and Claude work at a practical level, and what they can realistically do for you.

 What you’ll learn:

• The core ideas behind generative AI in plain language—no tech jargon.
• The difference between tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity, and how to choose one that fits your work.
• Everyday ways AI can help with writing, organizing, summarizing, planning, and learning.
• Common pitfalls and misconceptions to avoid when first using AI.
• A simple process for giving AI good instructions (prompting basics).

 By the end of this session, you’ll understand what’s happening when you talk to an AI tool, what to expect from it, and how to start using it with confidence in real-world tasks.

 

February 17 – AI Well: Practical Skills and Smarter Workflows

Now that you know what AI can do, this session focuses on how to use it well. We’ll explore practical techniques for improving accuracy, reducing frustration, and turning AI into a real partner in your daily life.

 What you’ll learn:

• How to structure prompts for better responses (beyond the basics).
• Strategies for refining and verifying AI outputs to ensure reliability.
• Practical use cases: writing and editing, meeting summaries, communication drafts, idea generation, and learning support.
• How to use AI safely with sensitive or professional information.
• A brief look at AI features inside tools you already use—Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Canva, Notion, and others.

 You’ll leave this session with a set of practical habits and prompt structures you can apply immediately to get more useful, accurate, and ethical results.

 

February 19 – Advanced AI in Practice: Research, Creativity, and Building with AI

The final session focuses on expanding what you can do with AI once you’re comfortable with the basics. We’ll move into advanced tools, workflows, and techniques that can elevate your work and creativity while still keeping things accessible.

What you’ll learn:

• How to use AI for deep research, analysis, and synthesis across multiple sources.
• How to use tools like Google Notebook, Perplexity, and ChatGPT’s workspace features to manage complex projects.
• Intro to small-scale “building” with AI—creating custom GPTs or simple app-like tools for personal or team use.
• How to evaluate emerging tools confidently (what to look for and what to avoid)
• A brief look at AI for images and video—what’s possible, what’s ethical, and what’s useful.

By the end, you’ll understand how to go beyond basic prompting and start shaping AI tools to fit your own work—creatively, responsibly, and with confidence.

 

 

To take a survey to help determine which of the webinars you should take,  go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4JMavzbrBbS4flmiX5XFQmJSoUyJhHM1hd1VMlxDsisaabg/viewform