How to make AI your content co-pilot

Trainer - Dan Mason

What’s it about?

Get ready for this hands-on workshop that will put you in the AI driving seat.

This training won’t show you how AI can replace human creativity (because it can’t), but it will explore how AI can be a powerful partner in producing content designed for diverse audiences and platforms. It’s about working smarter, faster and staying in control to create engaging stories using text, images, audio and video.

We’ve made this workshop face-to-face to help participants get the most from the training in a collaborative environment. Aimed at journalists and content creators with limited knowledge of AI, the training will explain how to harness AI in an ethical way for drafting stories. Expect tools, tips and techniques without being overloaded with technical jargon.

As well as learning how to write and optimise your own prompts to generate text and images, an online prompt library will be used to guide the interactive storytelling. Along the way, we’ll explore free tools for transcribing, adding subtitles, enhancing images, creating ‘mini-podcasts’ and more.

A handy online toolkit with links to free AI tools will be shared on the day.

Important note for participants: This workshop is not intended as a forum for debate on AI and does not imply support for the use of AI. The aim is to help you decide how AI might be used responsibly and productively in your own work.

What will I learn?

• LLMs, prompts and GPTs … deciphering the AI lingo.
• Use of AI for search, research and article ideas.
• Tips for creating and optimising AI prompts.
• How to create explainer story drafts (lists, Q&As, timelines, fact checks and more)
• Tips for creating generative images (and when not to use them).
• How to draft audio and video explainer scripts (and make them come to life fast).
• Examples of AI innovation and pitfalls.
• Free AI tools for transcription, image enhancement, background removal and more.

Who’s it for?

Journalists, content creators, marketers and communication professionals from any background.No prior experience of AI is required.

What equipment will I need?

A laptop computer (without wifi restrictions, if company-owned). Recommended: A free account with Perplexity at perplexity.ai (using your Gmail account is quick and easy). Other tools used during the morning may also require registration, so please remember your Gmail account details. Participants will not be asked to register for any platform if they don’t wish to.

About Dan Mason

Dan Mason is an international trainer and educator, specialising in digital, mobile and social media. He has led projects with media, NGOs and civil society partners in over 25 countries, including launching and leading a Master’s journalism programme based in Baku, Azerbaijan. In the UK he works with unions, corporate clients and charities, and is proud to have supported NUJ Training Wales for over a decade.A journalist for over 40 years, Dan was an award-winning editor and CEO of daily newspapers and digital newsrooms in the UK before becoming a full-time trainer in 2010.

Full day face-to-face -Clayton Hotel Cardiff St Mary Street Cardiff Wales CF10 1GD

Timing: 10am - 3pm