Digital Innovation and Transformation

ChatGPT Basics: Foundational Skills for Effective Use

This course equips professionals with foundational skills to effectively use ChatGPT in their roles. Participants will learn to leverage AI for communication, content generation, and problem-solving, enhancing productivity and decision-making in various professional contexts, ultimately driving innovation and efficiency in their work environments.

5 days Classroom or live online English

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Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Many professionals struggle to integrate AI tools like ChatGPT into their workflows, which can hinder efficiency and innovation. Mastering the effective use of ChatGPT can transform communication strategies, streamline content creation, and enhance customer engagement. This is crucial for professionals who must adapt to rapidly changing market demands and leverage technology to maintain a competitive edge. By understanding how to use ChatGPT effectively, participants will automate routine tasks, generate creative content, and improve collaboration across teams, making it an essential skill in the modern workplace. This knowledge will empower them to make data-driven decisions that enhance their overall productivity and effectiveness.

Participants will engage in practical exercises that simulate real-world tasks, such as drafting emails, generating reports, and brainstorming ideas with ChatGPT. They will practice evaluating the quality of AI-generated content and refining it to meet professional standards. By developing these skills, professionals will be better equipped to make informed decisions, improve team collaboration, and drive business outcomes through AI-enhanced processes. This hands-on approach ensures that participants leave with actionable skills that can be directly applied to their roles, enhancing their productivity and effectiveness in using AI tools. The course will also address ethical considerations, ensuring responsible use of AI in their organisations.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course employs a blend of interactive workshops, hands-on exercises, and scenario-based learning to build practical capabilities. Participants will work on real-life tasks using ChatGPT, such as drafting content and generating responses to client queries. Each session culminates in a collaborative project, producing tangible outputs that demonstrate their understanding and application of the tool. Exercises will include peer reviews and group discussions to foster a deeper understanding of how to effectively utilise AI in various contexts. This approach ensures that participants not only learn theoretical concepts but also apply them in practical, workplace-relevant scenarios, enhancing their confidence in using ChatGPT effectively.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate effective prompt engineering techniques for optimal ChatGPT responses.
Generate professional emails and reports using ChatGPT for various contexts.
Evaluate the quality of AI-generated content and make necessary adjustments.
Design a workflow that integrates ChatGPT into daily tasks for enhanced productivity.
Assess ethical considerations when using AI tools in professional settings.
Construct a presentation showcasing ChatGPT applications relevant to specific roles.

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Marketing professionals looking to enhance content creation.
Customer service representatives aiming to improve response efficiency.
Project managers seeking to streamline communication processes.
Content creators interested in leveraging AI for idea generation.

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Crafting effective prompts for AI interaction.
Evaluating and refining AI-generated content.
Integrating AI tools into existing workflows.
Understanding ethical implications of AI usage.
Creating professional documents with AI assistance.
Presenting AI solutions to stakeholders.

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Introduction to ChatGPT and AI Fundamentals

Applied activity: Participants will identify specific tasks in their roles where ChatGPT could be beneficial. They will draft initial prompts to test how well ChatGPT can assist with these tasks, focusing on clarity and specificity to improve outcomes.

Output: A document listing identified tasks and initial prompts for ChatGPT, including expected results.

09:00–09:54Exploring ChatGPT's capabilities and potential applications in the workplace, including communication and content generation.
09:54–10:48Understanding AI language models and their relevance to professional tasks across various sectors.
10:48–11:00Identifying specific use cases for ChatGPT in marketing, customer service, and project management.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Identifying specific use cases for ChatGPT in marketing, customer service, and project management. (continued)
12:12–13:06Discussing the limitations and challenges of AI tools in practice, including accuracy and bias.
13:06–14:00Learning the basics of prompt engineering for effective AI interaction and response generation.

Day 2Crafting Effective Prompts

Applied activity: In small groups, participants will create and test a series of prompts aimed at generating specific content types, such as marketing emails or project summaries. They will share their findings and discuss the effectiveness of each prompt in achieving desired outcomes.

Output: A collection of tested prompts with notes on effectiveness and suggested improvements, ready for future use.

09:00–09:54Learning principles of effective prompt engineering for AI tools, focusing on clarity and specificity.
09:54–10:48Practicing techniques to refine prompts for improved responses, including iterative testing.
10:48–11:00Testing different prompt variations to observe outcomes and adjust strategies accordingly.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Testing different prompt variations to observe outcomes and adjust strategies accordingly. (continued)
12:12–13:06Identifying common pitfalls in prompt crafting and strategies to avoid them, enhancing user experience.
13:06–14:00Understanding the iterative process of prompt testing and refinement for continuous improvement.

Day 3Generating Content with ChatGPT

Applied activity: Participants will draft a professional email and a brief report using ChatGPT, focusing on clarity, tone, and audience engagement. They will then engage in peer review to provide constructive feedback on each other's drafts and suggest improvements for clarity and impact.

Output: Two polished pieces of content: an email and a report, ready for professional use.

09:00–09:54Utilising ChatGPT for drafting professional emails and reports, focusing on structure and clarity.
09:54–10:48Best practices for generating and editing content with AI assistance to meet professional standards.
10:48–11:00Exploring various content formats: blogs, social media posts, and presentations, tailored to target audiences.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Exploring various content formats: blogs, social media posts, and presentations, tailored to target audiences. (continued)
12:12–13:06Techniques for ensuring tone and style consistency in AI-generated content across different formats.
13:06–14:00Collaborative content creation using ChatGPT for team projects, enhancing group dynamics and creativity.

Day 4Evaluating and Refining AI Outputs

Applied activity: Participants will evaluate a set of AI-generated responses for quality and relevance, making necessary edits to improve clarity and accuracy. They will discuss their rationale for the changes made and the impact on the final output, fostering critical thinking.

Output: A revised set of AI-generated responses with annotations explaining the edits and improvements made.

09:00–09:54Establishing criteria for assessing the quality of AI-generated content, including relevance and accuracy.
09:54–10:48Learning techniques for editing and enhancing AI outputs effectively to meet professional standards.
10:48–11:00Understanding the importance of human oversight in AI-generated content to ensure quality and compliance.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Understanding the importance of human oversight in AI-generated content to ensure quality and compliance. (continued)
12:12–13:06Reviewing case studies of successful AI content integration in businesses to identify best practices.
13:06–14:00Exploring tools for content verification and fact-checking to enhance reliability of AI-generated information.

Day 5Integrating ChatGPT into Professional Workflows

Applied activity: Participants will work in teams to develop a comprehensive workflow that integrates ChatGPT into a specific project or task. They will prepare a presentation to share their approach, expected outcomes, and how they plan to implement the workflow in their organisation.

Output: A detailed workflow document and presentation slides demonstrating ChatGPT integration.

09:00–09:54Designing workflows that effectively incorporate ChatGPT into daily tasks, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
09:54–10:48Identifying specific tasks suitable for AI assistance and integration, tailored to individual roles.
10:48–11:00Discussing ethical considerations and best practices for AI usage to ensure responsible implementation.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Discussing ethical considerations and best practices for AI usage to ensure responsible implementation. (continued)
12:12–13:06Creating a presentation on ChatGPT applications tailored to specific roles, showcasing potential benefits and challenges.
13:06–14:00Collaborative project to showcase practical ChatGPT integration in workflows, enhancing team collaboration and innovation.

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

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Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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