Foundations of AI and GenAI Tools

This unit introduces core concepts of artificial intelligence, machine and deep learning, algorithms, and the data and hardware that power AI systems while situating generative AI within user experience workflows. Students will evaluate major GenAI providers and productivity copilots, learn prompt fundamentals, and practice responsible, effective use of GenAI in writing, marketing, localization, and collaboration tools to prepare for advanced prompt engineering and agent-building in later units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze core AI concepts by distinguishing between artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI, and summarizing the roles of data, algorithms, and hardware in system performance
• Evaluate major generative AI providers, account versions (e.g., ChatGPT tiers), and copilot offerings for accuracy, bias, privacy, and suitability to specific UX and business tasks
• Apply prompt-design principles to create, refine, and test prompts that produce targeted outputs across scenarios (writing, marketing, localization, Excel/PowerPoint/Teams assistance)
• Demonstrate responsible GenAI use by identifying tasks AI cannot replace, recognizing ethical and change-management considerations, and proposing adoption strategies for teams