GenAI: Understanding the Potential of AI

This introductory session will give you a clear, accessible overview of the opportunities and challenges AI brings to education and the wider college sector. We’ll cut through the hype to explore practical benefits, real-world limitations, and the future potential of AI as a tool for teaching, learning, and professional practice.

What To Expect

In this session, you’ll:

• Build Confidence with the Basics: Learn the key ideas behind Generative AI in plain language.
• Experiment with Prompts: Try out a short exercise to see how different questions shape AI responses.
• Think Critically: Explore simple strategies for checking the reliability of AI outputs and considering their limitations. e
• Imagine the Possibilities: Reflect on how AI could support teaching, operations, and problem-solving within the college environment.

We’ll use the institutional version of MS Copilot (login with your college email at copilot.microsoft.com) as the basis for activities.

Who Should Attend

This session has been designed for anyone working in a college, whether you’re a lecturer, manager, or part of the professional services team, who wants to learn more about the potential of AI and make informed decisions about how it could be applied in your own context.

Session Materials

Participants will receive a summary guide highlighting key concepts, opportunities, and challenges, with links to further resources for independent exploration.

Facilitator - Kenji Lamb

Kenji serves as the Delivery & Engagement Partner at the College Development Network (CDN), the principal improvement agency dedicated to advancing Scotland's colleges. With a robust background in ESOL education and educational technology, he has amassed extensive experience in the UK and overseas, spanning both private and public sectors. In light of the rapid advancements in generative AI, Kenji's current focus is on supporting educational practice to ensure that staff and students are well-prepared for an AI-driven future.

(Bio ‘enhanced’ by Llama v3 and image generated by a giggling daughter playing with Snapchat’s lenses)