Living in the age of AI
Thinking Clearly and Acting Responsibly in an AI-Shaped World
AI is shaping how we learn, work, and think. This course helps you navigate it confidently.
Start
For the best experience
If you’re using a phone, switch to portrait mode.This will make the content easier to read and navigate.
Why This Matters
AI is already part of everyday life.
AI explains ideas, makes recommendations, and helps analyze information in learning, daily life, and work.But we often use it without fully understanding how it works or where it can go wrong.
That’s why AI literacy matters: thinking clearly and acting responsibly in an AI-shaped world.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Explain what AI is and what it is not Identify predictive vs generative AI Understand how generative AI produces responses Recognize when AI may be wrong Write clearer prompts
How This Course Is Organized
This course is divided into two modules.
Module 1
Module 2
Understanding AI
Using AI Effectively
- Foundations of AI
- predictive vs generative AI
- How AI generates responses
- Writing better prompts
- Evaluating AI responses
- Using AI in everyday situations
START
START
Coming Soon!
*Feel free to start with either module based on your experience.
Module 1
Understanding AI
Learn what AI is, how generative AI works, and why it sometimes gets things wrong
This module includes 3 short lessons · ~15 minutes total
Module 1
How Generative AI Produces Responses?
What is AI?
Why Can Generative AI Be Wrong?
Module 1
Lesson 1 - What is AI?
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will learn What AI is The two main types of AI How AI is used in everyday life
What is AI?
Formal definition (OECD): AI systems are machine-based systems that infer from data to generate outputs such as predictions, recommendations, or content that can influence real or digital environments.
AI systems analyze data and generate outputs such as predictions, recommendations, or content.
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
Check Your Understanding
Let’s Consider These Examples
You open Netflix. It recommends movies you might like.
You ask ChatGPT: Explain climate change in simple terms.
Both of these use AI. Are they the same?
No
Not sure
Yes
Types of AI
It might seem like they work the same at first.But these systems actually use different types of AI.
reTry
Types of AI
You are noticing an important difference!These systems actually use different types of AI:
- Netflix uses predictive AI
- ChatGPT uses generative AI
Let’s explore what that means
Types of AI
Let’s take a closer look.These systems actually use different types of AI:
- Netflix uses predictive AI
- ChatGPT uses generative AI
Let’s explore what that means
Two Major Types of AI
Examples:- Netflix recommending what to watch
- Email spam filters
- Credit card fraud detection
These systems classify, rank or detect patterns.
Examples: - ChatGPT or Gemini answering questions
- AI tools generating images
- Having a conversation with chatbot to brainstorm ideas
Generative AI
Predictive AI
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Generative AI systems create new content in response to prompts.
Predictive AI systems analyze data and make predictions.
Subtitle
* This course focuses primarily on Generative AI.
Everyday AI Scenarios
Work
Family
School
Generative AI
Predictive AI
Predictive AI
Take a Moment to Reflect
Where have you encountered AI recently?
Examples: recommendations, chatbots, writing tools
Were those predictive AI or generative AI?
Check Your Understanding
Drag each example to the correct type of AI
Generative AI
Predictive AI
Autocompleting your sentence
Ask an AI to write an email
Email spam filter sorting messages
Use an AI tool that summarizes your notes
Check Your Understanding
Module 1
How Generative AI Produces Responses?
What is AI?
Why Can Generative AI Be Wrong?
Module 1
Lesson 2 - How Generative AI Produces Responses
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will: Understand how generative AI produces responses Explore the strengths and limitations of generative AI
Let’s Start with a Real Example
You ask an AI:Explain photosynthesis in simple terms.It gives you a clear, confident answer.
But how did it actually come up with that response?
What Do You Think?
How does AI generate a response?
A. It searches the internet for the best answer
B. It memorizes and retrieves exact information
C. It predicts what words should come next
How Generative AI Works
It's indeed predicting! Generative AI produces responses by predicting what words are most likely to come next, based on patterns it learned from large amounts of text.It generates responses step by step, one word at a time.
How Generative AI Works
It may seem like AI searches the internet for answers (while some tools can access external information). Generative AI primarily produces responses by predicting what words are most likely to come next, based on patterns it learned during training.
How Generative AI Works
It may seem like AI stores and retrieves exact answers.Instead, it generates responses by predicting what words are most likely to come next, based on patterns learned during training.
Let’s See How It Works
How AI generates the response: The AI starts generating one word at a time
You ask an AI: Explain photosynthesis in simple terms AI Response: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into energy in the form of glucose.
Photosynthesis
is
the
process
by ....
The AI is predicting what word should come next, step by step.
What This Means
Even though AI responses sound natural and well-formed,they are generated based on patterns in language, not true understanding.
Because of this, AI responses can sometimes sound correct
even when they are not.
Check Your Understanding
Everyday AI Scenarios
Work
School
Take a Moment to Reflect
When AI generates a response,what do you think is happening behind the scenes?
Check Your Understanding
Check Your Understanding
Module 1
How Generative AI Produces Responses?
What is AI?
Why Can Generative AI Be Wrong?
Module 1
Lesson 3 - Why AI Gets Things Wrong
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will: Why AI can produce incorrect information What that means for how we use it
Let’s Start with a Situation
You ask an AI: Can I drink salt water to stay hydrated in an emergency? AI response: Drinking small amounts of salt water can help you stay hydrated temporarily.
What do you think about the response?
Doesn’t sound right
Not sure
Seems correct
Let’s Take a Closer Look
This answer sounds reasonable but it’s actually incorrect.Drinking salt water can make dehydration worse.AI can generate answers that sound convincing, even when they are wrong.Let’s look at why this happens.
Let’s Take a Closer Look
You’re right to question it.Drinking salt water actually makes dehydration worse.Even though the answer sounds confident, it’s incorrect.Let’s understand why AI can do this.
Let’s Take a Closer Look
It’s smart to pause when you are unsure. This answer is actually incorrect. Drinking salt water can make dehydration worse. AI doesn’t always provide accurate information, even when it sounds confident.Let’s explore why that happens.
Why AI Can Be Wrong
Generative AI generates responses by predicting patterns in language.But predicting what sounds right is not the same as knowing what is correct.
AI can sometimes produce responses that sound confident but are not accurate.
Different Ways AI Can Be Wrong
Tap each card to see how AI can go wrong
Example:A student asks AI to summarize a chapter.The summary sounds clear and confident.However, it includes a detail that never happened.
Example: A company uses AI to screen job applications.The system ranks candidates based on past hiring patterns.Some qualified candidates may be ranked lower because of those patterns.
Bias
Hallucinations
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
LEARNS PATTERNS FROM TRAINING DATA THAT MAY BE BIASED
GENERATES INFORMATION THAT SOUNDS CORRECT BUT IS NOT actually TRUE
Let’s See This in Action
The student checks a reliable source online.After checking:The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, not Thomas Edison.
A student asks AI: Who invented the telephone? AI response: The telephone was invented by Thomas Edison in 1876.
What type of issue is this?
Bias
Not sure
Hallucination
Let’s Take a Closer Look
This is a hallucination. The AI generated something that sounds right but isn’t true.
Let’s Take a Closer Look
Almost! This is a hallucination, not bias. The AI generated something that sounds right but isn’t true.
What This Means for You
AI can sound confident, but it is not always correct.Use AI as a tool, not a source of truth.Always verify important information and use your own judgment.
How to Check AI Responses
Check Your Understanding
Check Your Understanding
Module 1
How Generative AI Produces Responses?
What is AI?
Why Can Generative AI Be Wrong?
You’ve Completed Module 1
You’ve learned:- What AI is
- How generative AI produces responses
- Why AI can sometimes be wrong
AI can sound confident, but it is not always correct.Use AI as a tool, not a source of truth.
Want to learn more about how AI works?
University of Helsinki- Elements of AI
University of Helsinki - Building AI
Thank You for completing lesson 1. Please help us fill out the survey below!
Home
Feedback Survey
Module 2
Using AI Effectively
Learn how to write better prompts, improve AI responses, and use AI more thoughtfully
Have your preferred AI tool ready! You’ll use it to complete activities. This module includes 3 short lessons · ~15 minutes total
Module 2
Writing Better Prompts
Why AI Gives Different Answers
Improving AI Responses
Module 2
Lesson 1 - Why AI Gives Different Answers
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will learn Why AI responses vary How your prompt affects the output How to get better results
Try This
Open your preferred AI tool (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
1. Ask this question: Give me a workout plan 2. Ask the same question again 3. Compare the responses
What do you notice about the responses?
Why The Responses Are Different
You might have noticed the responses were not exactly the same. There isn’t just one way to answer a question.
AI can generate responses in different ways, even for the same question.
What Does This Mean for You
You just saw that the same question can lead to different responses. The way you ask can actually shape the response you get.
More helpful prompts usually include
what you want details context
Let’s Consider These Prompts
Prompt A
Prompt B
You ask an AI: Help me write an email
You ask an AI: Write a polite email to my teacher asking for an extension on an assignment
Which prompt gives the AI more useful information?
Not sure
Prompt A
This prompt is very general. It doesn’t give enough detail about what kind of email you need. The AI has to guess what you want, which can lead to less helpful responses.
Prompt B
This prompt gives more detail and context. It clearly describes the situation and what you want.This helps the AI generate a more useful response.
Prompt B
Both prompts ask for help writing an email. But Prompt B gives more detail about the situation and goal.That makes it easier for the AI to generate a helpful response.
Try This
Open your preferred AI tool (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
1. Ask a simple question: Plan a trip to New York 2. Then make it more specific: Plan a 3-day trip to New York for a first-time visitor 3. Compare the responses
What do you notice about the responses?
Key Takeaway
You may have noticed the more specific prompt gave a more helpful response. The more specific your prompt, the more helpful the response.
Check Your Understanding
Module 2
Writing Better Prompts
Why AI Gives Different Answers
Improving AI Responses
Module 2
Lesson 2 - Write Better Prompts
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will learn What makes a strong prompt Simple ways to improve your prompts How to get more useful results from AI
How Would You Improve This Prompt?
Original Prompt
Give me a chicken recipe
Which revision below would lead to the most useful response?
A. Give me a simple chicken recipe
B. Give me a chicken recipe I can cook in 30 minutes
C. Give me a simple chicken recipe I can cook in 30 minutes for dinner
Prompt C
This prompt is the most helpful because it includes multiple useful details:“simple” - what you want “30 minutes” - details“for dinner” - contextCombining these helps the AI give a more relevant response.
Prompt A
This prompt improves clarity by adding “simple”, which makes the recipe easier to follow.What other detail could make it even more useful?
reTry
Prompt B
This prompt adds a helpful constraint with “30 minutes”, which makes the result more practical.What other detail could improve it further?
reTry
Try Improving This Prompt
Original Prompt
Help me study
Which revision would lead to a more useful response?
A. Help me study for a biology test
B. Help me study for a biology test on photosynthesis
C. Help me study for a biology test on photosynthesis using practice questions
Prompt C
This prompt is the most helpful because it includes multiple useful details:“biology” - subject “photosynthesis” - topic“practice questions” - how you want to studyCombining these helps the AI give a more relevant response.
Prompt A
This prompt adds some detail with "biology test", but it’s still too broad.Think about what other detail could make it even more useful.
reTry
Prompt B
This is more specific with "photosynthesis", but it doesn’t say how you want to study.Think about what other detail could improve it further.
reTry
Try This
Open your preferred AI tool (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
1. Fill in the template below: Help me learn about [your topic] in [simple terms / step-by-step / with examples] for [a beginner / a student / myself] in [a short summary / bullet points] 2. Change one part and compare
What changed in the response?
Key Takeaway
How you phrase your prompt shapes the response you get. Small changes, like adding detail or changing the format can improve the result.
Check Your Understanding
Module 2
Writing Better Prompts
Why AI Gives Different Answers
Improving AI Responses
Module 2
Lesson 3 - Improving AI Responses
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will learn How to ask follow-up prompts to improve the response How to use AI more effectively and responsibly
Try Improving This Response
You ask AI: Explain how exercise helps your body AI response: Exercise is good for your body. It helps you stay healthy and strong. It can improve your mood and energy.
What would you ask next to improve this response?
A. Can you give specific examples?
B. Can you explain this in more detail?
C. Can you make this shorter?
Prompt A
These follow-up prompts improve the response by adding more detail and clarity.Asking for examples can make responses more useful.
Prompt B
These follow-up prompts improve the response by adding more detail and clarity.Asking for more detail can make responses more useful.
Prompt C
Making it shorter doesn’t improve the response.Think about what should be asked to improve the response.
reTry
Try This
Open your preferred AI tool (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
1. Ask a simple question: How can I stay focused while studying? 2. Ask a follow-up to improve it Can you give specific examples?Can you explain this step by step?Can you suggest a daily routine?
How do the responses compare?
Key Takeaway
You don’t have to accept the first response. You can improve it by asking follow-up questions. Ask for:
more details examples clearer explanations
Check Your Understanding
You ask AI: What is a healthy breakfast? AI response: A healthy breakfast is important. You can eat foods like fruits, grains, and protein.
Module 2
Writing Better Prompts
Why AI Gives Different Answers
Improving AI Responses
You’ve Completed Module 2
You’ve learned:- How to write clearer and more effective prompts
- How small changes can improve AI responses
- How to use follow-up questions to get better results
AI responses depend on how you ask.Guide the AI to get the answers you need.
Want to learn more about using AI effectively?
University of Michigan - Generative AI: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges
Vanderbilt University - Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT
Thank You for completing lesson 2. Please help us fill out the survey below!
Home
Feedback Survey
School & Generative AI
A student asks an AI chatbot to summarize a chapter from a textbook.The summary sounds clear and confident. However, the AI adds a detail about an event that never occurred.If the student accepts the summary without checking the original material, the mistake could lead to a misunderstanding of the topic.AI can help organize information but its outputs should always be verified.
Work & Predictive AI
A company receives hundreds of job applications for a position.An AI system scans resumes and ranks candidates based on patterns learned from past hiring decisions.This helps recruiters review applications more efficiently. However, because the system learns from past hiring data, it may repeat patterns that existed in earlier hiring practices. For this reason, human review is still important when evaluating candidates and making final hiring decisions.
Generative an Academic Response
A student asks an AI chatbot:“Explain the causes of World War I.” The AI generates a response that sounds like a textbook explanation by predicting words and patterns commonly used in textbook writing, one word at a time.
Family & Predictive AI
A family uses a streaming service to choose a movie for the evening.The platform recommends several films based on viewing history and patterns from similar users.These recommendations are generated by AI systems that predict what viewers are likely to enjoy.Although helpful, recommendations may not always reflect everyone’s preferences.
Generating a Professional Response
An employee asks an AI assistant:“Draft a professional email to a client.” The AI generates a professional-sounding email by predicting words and phrases commonly used in similar emails, one word at a time.
Living in the age of AI
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Transcript
Living in the age of AI
Thinking Clearly and Acting Responsibly in an AI-Shaped World
AI is shaping how we learn, work, and think. This course helps you navigate it confidently.
Start
For the best experience
If you’re using a phone, switch to portrait mode.This will make the content easier to read and navigate.
Why This Matters
AI is already part of everyday life.
AI explains ideas, makes recommendations, and helps analyze information in learning, daily life, and work.But we often use it without fully understanding how it works or where it can go wrong.
That’s why AI literacy matters: thinking clearly and acting responsibly in an AI-shaped world.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Explain what AI is and what it is not Identify predictive vs generative AI Understand how generative AI produces responses Recognize when AI may be wrong Write clearer prompts
How This Course Is Organized
This course is divided into two modules.
Module 1
Module 2
Understanding AI
Using AI Effectively
START
START
Coming Soon!
*Feel free to start with either module based on your experience.
Module 1
Understanding AI
Learn what AI is, how generative AI works, and why it sometimes gets things wrong
This module includes 3 short lessons · ~15 minutes total
Module 1
How Generative AI Produces Responses?
What is AI?
Why Can Generative AI Be Wrong?
Module 1
Lesson 1 - What is AI?
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will learn What AI is The two main types of AI How AI is used in everyday life
What is AI?
Formal definition (OECD): AI systems are machine-based systems that infer from data to generate outputs such as predictions, recommendations, or content that can influence real or digital environments.
AI systems analyze data and generate outputs such as predictions, recommendations, or content.
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
Check Your Understanding
Let’s Consider These Examples
You open Netflix. It recommends movies you might like.
You ask ChatGPT: Explain climate change in simple terms.
Both of these use AI. Are they the same?
No
Not sure
Yes
Types of AI
It might seem like they work the same at first.But these systems actually use different types of AI.
reTry
Types of AI
You are noticing an important difference!These systems actually use different types of AI:
- Netflix uses predictive AI
- ChatGPT uses generative AI
Let’s explore what that meansTypes of AI
Let’s take a closer look.These systems actually use different types of AI:
- Netflix uses predictive AI
- ChatGPT uses generative AI
Let’s explore what that meansTwo Major Types of AI
Examples:- Netflix recommending what to watch
- Email spam filters
- Credit card fraud detection
These systems classify, rank or detect patterns.Examples:- ChatGPT or Gemini answering questions
- AI tools generating images
- Having a conversation with chatbot to brainstorm ideas
Generative AI
Predictive AI
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Generative AI systems create new content in response to prompts.
Predictive AI systems analyze data and make predictions.
Subtitle
* This course focuses primarily on Generative AI.
Everyday AI Scenarios
Work
Family
School
Generative AI
Predictive AI
Predictive AI
Take a Moment to Reflect
Where have you encountered AI recently?
Examples: recommendations, chatbots, writing tools
Were those predictive AI or generative AI?
Check Your Understanding
Drag each example to the correct type of AI
Generative AI
Predictive AI
Autocompleting your sentence
Ask an AI to write an email
Email spam filter sorting messages
Use an AI tool that summarizes your notes
Check Your Understanding
Module 1
How Generative AI Produces Responses?
What is AI?
Why Can Generative AI Be Wrong?
Module 1
Lesson 2 - How Generative AI Produces Responses
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will: Understand how generative AI produces responses Explore the strengths and limitations of generative AI
Let’s Start with a Real Example
You ask an AI:Explain photosynthesis in simple terms.It gives you a clear, confident answer.
But how did it actually come up with that response?
What Do You Think?
How does AI generate a response?
A. It searches the internet for the best answer
B. It memorizes and retrieves exact information
C. It predicts what words should come next
How Generative AI Works
It's indeed predicting! Generative AI produces responses by predicting what words are most likely to come next, based on patterns it learned from large amounts of text.It generates responses step by step, one word at a time.
How Generative AI Works
It may seem like AI searches the internet for answers (while some tools can access external information). Generative AI primarily produces responses by predicting what words are most likely to come next, based on patterns it learned during training.
How Generative AI Works
It may seem like AI stores and retrieves exact answers.Instead, it generates responses by predicting what words are most likely to come next, based on patterns learned during training.
Let’s See How It Works
How AI generates the response: The AI starts generating one word at a time
You ask an AI: Explain photosynthesis in simple terms AI Response: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into energy in the form of glucose.
Photosynthesis
is
the
process
by ....
The AI is predicting what word should come next, step by step.
What This Means
Even though AI responses sound natural and well-formed,they are generated based on patterns in language, not true understanding.
Because of this, AI responses can sometimes sound correct even when they are not.
Check Your Understanding
Everyday AI Scenarios
Work
School
Take a Moment to Reflect
When AI generates a response,what do you think is happening behind the scenes?
Check Your Understanding
Check Your Understanding
Module 1
How Generative AI Produces Responses?
What is AI?
Why Can Generative AI Be Wrong?
Module 1
Lesson 3 - Why AI Gets Things Wrong
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will: Why AI can produce incorrect information What that means for how we use it
Let’s Start with a Situation
You ask an AI: Can I drink salt water to stay hydrated in an emergency? AI response: Drinking small amounts of salt water can help you stay hydrated temporarily.
What do you think about the response?
Doesn’t sound right
Not sure
Seems correct
Let’s Take a Closer Look
This answer sounds reasonable but it’s actually incorrect.Drinking salt water can make dehydration worse.AI can generate answers that sound convincing, even when they are wrong.Let’s look at why this happens.
Let’s Take a Closer Look
You’re right to question it.Drinking salt water actually makes dehydration worse.Even though the answer sounds confident, it’s incorrect.Let’s understand why AI can do this.
Let’s Take a Closer Look
It’s smart to pause when you are unsure. This answer is actually incorrect. Drinking salt water can make dehydration worse. AI doesn’t always provide accurate information, even when it sounds confident.Let’s explore why that happens.
Why AI Can Be Wrong
Generative AI generates responses by predicting patterns in language.But predicting what sounds right is not the same as knowing what is correct.
AI can sometimes produce responses that sound confident but are not accurate.
Different Ways AI Can Be Wrong
Tap each card to see how AI can go wrong
Example:A student asks AI to summarize a chapter.The summary sounds clear and confident.However, it includes a detail that never happened.
Example: A company uses AI to screen job applications.The system ranks candidates based on past hiring patterns.Some qualified candidates may be ranked lower because of those patterns.
Bias
Hallucinations
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
LEARNS PATTERNS FROM TRAINING DATA THAT MAY BE BIASED
GENERATES INFORMATION THAT SOUNDS CORRECT BUT IS NOT actually TRUE
Let’s See This in Action
The student checks a reliable source online.After checking:The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, not Thomas Edison.
A student asks AI: Who invented the telephone? AI response: The telephone was invented by Thomas Edison in 1876.
What type of issue is this?
Bias
Not sure
Hallucination
Let’s Take a Closer Look
This is a hallucination. The AI generated something that sounds right but isn’t true.
Let’s Take a Closer Look
Almost! This is a hallucination, not bias. The AI generated something that sounds right but isn’t true.
What This Means for You
AI can sound confident, but it is not always correct.Use AI as a tool, not a source of truth.Always verify important information and use your own judgment.
How to Check AI Responses
Check Your Understanding
Check Your Understanding
Module 1
How Generative AI Produces Responses?
What is AI?
Why Can Generative AI Be Wrong?
You’ve Completed Module 1
You’ve learned:
- What AI is
- How generative AI produces responses
- Why AI can sometimes be wrong
AI can sound confident, but it is not always correct.Use AI as a tool, not a source of truth.Want to learn more about how AI works?
University of Helsinki- Elements of AI
University of Helsinki - Building AI
Thank You for completing lesson 1. Please help us fill out the survey below!
Home
Feedback Survey
Module 2
Using AI Effectively
Learn how to write better prompts, improve AI responses, and use AI more thoughtfully
Have your preferred AI tool ready! You’ll use it to complete activities. This module includes 3 short lessons · ~15 minutes total
Module 2
Writing Better Prompts
Why AI Gives Different Answers
Improving AI Responses
Module 2
Lesson 1 - Why AI Gives Different Answers
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will learn Why AI responses vary How your prompt affects the output How to get better results
Try This
Open your preferred AI tool (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
1. Ask this question: Give me a workout plan 2. Ask the same question again 3. Compare the responses
What do you notice about the responses?
Why The Responses Are Different
You might have noticed the responses were not exactly the same. There isn’t just one way to answer a question.
AI can generate responses in different ways, even for the same question.
What Does This Mean for You
You just saw that the same question can lead to different responses. The way you ask can actually shape the response you get.
More helpful prompts usually include
what you want details context
Let’s Consider These Prompts
Prompt A
Prompt B
You ask an AI: Help me write an email
You ask an AI: Write a polite email to my teacher asking for an extension on an assignment
Which prompt gives the AI more useful information?
Not sure
Prompt A
This prompt is very general. It doesn’t give enough detail about what kind of email you need. The AI has to guess what you want, which can lead to less helpful responses.
Prompt B
This prompt gives more detail and context. It clearly describes the situation and what you want.This helps the AI generate a more useful response.
Prompt B
Both prompts ask for help writing an email. But Prompt B gives more detail about the situation and goal.That makes it easier for the AI to generate a helpful response.
Try This
Open your preferred AI tool (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
1. Ask a simple question: Plan a trip to New York 2. Then make it more specific: Plan a 3-day trip to New York for a first-time visitor 3. Compare the responses
What do you notice about the responses?
Key Takeaway
You may have noticed the more specific prompt gave a more helpful response. The more specific your prompt, the more helpful the response.
Check Your Understanding
Module 2
Writing Better Prompts
Why AI Gives Different Answers
Improving AI Responses
Module 2
Lesson 2 - Write Better Prompts
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will learn What makes a strong prompt Simple ways to improve your prompts How to get more useful results from AI
How Would You Improve This Prompt?
Original Prompt
Give me a chicken recipe
Which revision below would lead to the most useful response?
A. Give me a simple chicken recipe
B. Give me a chicken recipe I can cook in 30 minutes
C. Give me a simple chicken recipe I can cook in 30 minutes for dinner
Prompt C
This prompt is the most helpful because it includes multiple useful details:“simple” - what you want “30 minutes” - details“for dinner” - contextCombining these helps the AI give a more relevant response.
Prompt A
This prompt improves clarity by adding “simple”, which makes the recipe easier to follow.What other detail could make it even more useful?
reTry
Prompt B
This prompt adds a helpful constraint with “30 minutes”, which makes the result more practical.What other detail could improve it further?
reTry
Try Improving This Prompt
Original Prompt
Help me study
Which revision would lead to a more useful response?
A. Help me study for a biology test
B. Help me study for a biology test on photosynthesis
C. Help me study for a biology test on photosynthesis using practice questions
Prompt C
This prompt is the most helpful because it includes multiple useful details:“biology” - subject “photosynthesis” - topic“practice questions” - how you want to studyCombining these helps the AI give a more relevant response.
Prompt A
This prompt adds some detail with "biology test", but it’s still too broad.Think about what other detail could make it even more useful.
reTry
Prompt B
This is more specific with "photosynthesis", but it doesn’t say how you want to study.Think about what other detail could improve it further.
reTry
Try This
Open your preferred AI tool (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
1. Fill in the template below: Help me learn about [your topic] in [simple terms / step-by-step / with examples] for [a beginner / a student / myself] in [a short summary / bullet points] 2. Change one part and compare
What changed in the response?
Key Takeaway
How you phrase your prompt shapes the response you get. Small changes, like adding detail or changing the format can improve the result.
Check Your Understanding
Module 2
Writing Better Prompts
Why AI Gives Different Answers
Improving AI Responses
Module 2
Lesson 3 - Improving AI Responses
What You'll Learn
In this lesson, you will learn How to ask follow-up prompts to improve the response How to use AI more effectively and responsibly
Try Improving This Response
You ask AI: Explain how exercise helps your body AI response: Exercise is good for your body. It helps you stay healthy and strong. It can improve your mood and energy.
What would you ask next to improve this response?
A. Can you give specific examples?
B. Can you explain this in more detail?
C. Can you make this shorter?
Prompt A
These follow-up prompts improve the response by adding more detail and clarity.Asking for examples can make responses more useful.
Prompt B
These follow-up prompts improve the response by adding more detail and clarity.Asking for more detail can make responses more useful.
Prompt C
Making it shorter doesn’t improve the response.Think about what should be asked to improve the response.
reTry
Try This
Open your preferred AI tool (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
1. Ask a simple question: How can I stay focused while studying? 2. Ask a follow-up to improve it Can you give specific examples?Can you explain this step by step?Can you suggest a daily routine?
How do the responses compare?
Key Takeaway
You don’t have to accept the first response. You can improve it by asking follow-up questions. Ask for:
more details examples clearer explanations
Check Your Understanding
You ask AI: What is a healthy breakfast? AI response: A healthy breakfast is important. You can eat foods like fruits, grains, and protein.
Module 2
Writing Better Prompts
Why AI Gives Different Answers
Improving AI Responses
You’ve Completed Module 2
You’ve learned:
- How to write clearer and more effective prompts
- How small changes can improve AI responses
- How to use follow-up questions to get better results
AI responses depend on how you ask.Guide the AI to get the answers you need.Want to learn more about using AI effectively?
University of Michigan - Generative AI: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges
Vanderbilt University - Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT
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School & Generative AI
A student asks an AI chatbot to summarize a chapter from a textbook.The summary sounds clear and confident. However, the AI adds a detail about an event that never occurred.If the student accepts the summary without checking the original material, the mistake could lead to a misunderstanding of the topic.AI can help organize information but its outputs should always be verified.
Work & Predictive AI
A company receives hundreds of job applications for a position.An AI system scans resumes and ranks candidates based on patterns learned from past hiring decisions.This helps recruiters review applications more efficiently. However, because the system learns from past hiring data, it may repeat patterns that existed in earlier hiring practices. For this reason, human review is still important when evaluating candidates and making final hiring decisions.
Generative an Academic Response
A student asks an AI chatbot:“Explain the causes of World War I.” The AI generates a response that sounds like a textbook explanation by predicting words and patterns commonly used in textbook writing, one word at a time.
Family & Predictive AI
A family uses a streaming service to choose a movie for the evening.The platform recommends several films based on viewing history and patterns from similar users.These recommendations are generated by AI systems that predict what viewers are likely to enjoy.Although helpful, recommendations may not always reflect everyone’s preferences.
Generating a Professional Response
An employee asks an AI assistant:“Draft a professional email to a client.” The AI generates a professional-sounding email by predicting words and phrases commonly used in similar emails, one word at a time.