AI in Action: Practical Tools for Workforce Development Webinar

May 15, 2025

​

​

​

29 E. Madison St., Suite 1700-C | Chicago, IL 60602-4415

312.252.0460 | cjc.net

Zoom Logistics

2

Click on the “Reactions” button to raise your hand or react with an emoji

Please mute yourself

Please type any questions or resources into the chat box.

Did you know CJC offers 1-on-1 customized training tailored to your needs?

​

Whether you're an individual or a team, we’re here to help you grow.

​

It’s simple—just fill out the form by scanning the QR code on the following slide, and we’ll schedule your FREE 30 minute consultation session.

​

Unlock

Your Team’s

Full Potential!

Who We Are / What We Do

Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is a membership based workforce development intermediary that keeps jobseekers at the center of all we do. CJC:

​

4

Advocates for jobseekers, by researching current pressing matters for the field, develop recommendations and share them broadly to create systemic change.

​

​

Builds capacity for workforce development field, by developing curriculum that’s offered through trainings, cohort learning and leadership academies based on our research of best practices.

​

​

Influences City, State and Federal Policies related to increasing funding for our public workforce system, creating equitable pathways and eliminating barriers to employment.

​

Your Facilitation Team

5

Cierra Smith�Capacity Building�Program Manager

Melina Jancovic

Capacity Building Program Coordinator

Matt Cardoni�CJC Trainer/Green Lightning Digital Marketing

Facilitation Values

Training Objectives

• Learn what AI is
• Understand why it's valuable to learn AI
• See AI examples
• Use AI tools in practice
• Learn where to find more information

7

8

Today’s Agenda

• Industry trends
• AI benefits
• AI opportunities
• Demo 1
• Demo 2
• Demo 3

​

9

Grounded Agreements

Vegas Rules

Type in the chat:

Drop an emoji in the chat to show how you feel today

​

AND/OR

​

What is one question you hope we answer today?

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Smart Technology

AI allows computers to simulate human intelligence—learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Automated Helper

Think of AI as a smart assistant that handles specific tasks independently.

Efficiency Booster

AI can complete tasks faster and more accurately than a human

Types of AI in the Workplace

Traditional (Narrow) AI

Designed for specific problems

• Processing payroll

• Scheduling systems

• Searching knowledge bases

Generative AI

Creates new content from prompts

• Drafting emails

• Generating ideas

• Preparing reports

Agentic AI

Designed for autonomy

• Streamlining onboarding

• Driving a Tesla

• Monitoring systems for attacks

ASI: Superintelligence

Hypothetical AI beyond human intelligence

• A theoretical achievement, smarter> us

• Rapid self-optimization

• IQ, emotions and relationships

AI Adoption is Skyrocketing

75%+

Business Adoption

Organizations using AI already

41%

Workforce Impact

Companies planning reductions w AI

60%

Jobs at Risk

In advanced economies potentially replaced by AI

77%

Employment Concerns

People worried AI could lead to job losses in the near future

AI Career Opportunities

Valued Skills

71% of business leaders prefer AI-skilled candidates

Hiring Requirement

66% won't hire without AI skills

Higher Salaries

Up to 47% premium for AI capabilities

Career Acceleration

77% get greater responsibilities sooner

The AI Talent Gap

#1 Essential Skill

LinkedIn: "mastering AI basics" is top essential leadership skill

Talent Shortage

Significant AI talent gap estimated at 50%

Career Opportunity

Unprecedented demand for AI-skilled workers

Benefits of AI for Workers: Time Savings

Email Management

Sort, filter, and respond automatically

Meeting Scheduling

Coordinate times without back-and-forth

Data Entry

Automate repetitive information input

Report Generation

Create summaries and analysis faster

Benefits of AI for Workers: Error Reduction

Consistent Performance

Maintains accuracy regardless of time or workload

Automated Verification

Cross-checks data against multiple sources

Pattern Recognition

Identifies anomalies humans might miss

Continuous Improvement

Learns from mistakes to prevent future errors

AI can elevate professionalism when used carefully

Generative AI can also make mistakes – so fact check

Benefits of AI for Workers: Enhanced Learning

Personalized Learning Paths

Adapts to individual learning styles and pace

Just-in-Time Knowledge

Delivers relevant information when needed

Progress Tracking

Monitors skill development and suggests practice

Continuous Feedback

Provides immediate guidance to improve

Benefits of AI for Workers: Improved Safety

Hazard Detection

Identifies risks before accidents occur

Continuous Monitoring

Watches for safety violations 24/7

Safety Training

Provides realistic simulations for hazardous scenarios

Ergonomic Guidance

Offers real-time posture recommendations

How AI is Used at Work: Automation

Data Entry

Automates form filling and processing

Scheduling

Coordinates & books meetings

Email Management

Sorts, prioritizes, drafts responses

Document Processing

Extracts and categorizes information

Document Creation

Creates resumes, articles, posts

Demo time!

How AI is Used at Work: HR & Recruitment

​

​

Resume Screening

AI filters applications based on job requirements.

​

​

Interview Scheduling

​

​

AI coordinates between candidates & hiring teams.

Skills Assessment

AI evaluates candidate capabilities through automated tests.

Onboarding

AI personalizes the new employee integration process.

​

​

Demo time!

Practice with AI: Create Certification Plan

Use Perplexity.ai to create a cosmetology certification plan for a single parent.

​

Include as much context as possible: geographic location, online/offline preference, objective, niche focus, & output expectations.

​

Ex: Longer version of Cosmetology Plan Prompt

→ request to make plan more concise

→ rework it again to emphasize geographic focus, add timelines into the financial aid applications, or add specialty (hair color, nails, etc)

​

Ask AI to Put the Action Plan into a Chart

Racial Bias in AI

Introduction to Racial Bias in AI

• In workforce development, AI screens job applicants, assesses skills, and personalizes career guidance.

​

• AI perpetuates and amplifies existing societal biases, particularly racial bias.

​

• AI’s output is determined by its input.

​

Examples of Racial Bias in HR

• Hiring and Recruitment Algorithms: Names, schools, speech pattern biases can disadvantage qualified candidates from underrepresented racial groups.
• Skills Assessment & Predictive Analytics: AI systems designed to predict job success or recommend training pathways can be skewed by biased data.
• Facial Recognition and Proctoring Software: AI facial recognition often misidentifies people with darker skin, causing unfair accusations or access issues.
• Automated Decision Support: Client suitability AI recommendation tools perpetuate biases if their underlying algorithms or data are flawed.

Impact of Racial Bias

Reinforces Systemic Inequality: Biased AI can worsen racial disparities in employment, income, and career progression.

Erodes Trust: When AI systems are perceived as unfair, it can erode trust in technology and in the organizations that use them, particularly among marginalized communities.

Missed Talent: Businesses and organizations miss out on qualified talent due to biased screening and assessment processes.

Legal and Ethical Risks: The use of biased AI can lead to legal challenges related to discrimination and raises significant ethical concerns.

​

Understanding is the first step to preparing us to be advocates.

​

Why Racial Bias Exists in AI

• Biased Training Data

AI learns from societal data - that has biases, which can under-represent groups, leading to biased outcomes.

• Flawed Algorithm Design�Bias can be introduced by how problems are defined and which algorithms are used, especially if based on biased goals or data. (zip codes, loans, education, etc)
• Lack of Team Diversity�Homogenous development teams may overlook potential biases, resulting in AI systems that don’t account for all users’ needs.
• Feedback Loops:�Biased AI decisions can reinforce and amplify existing societal biases over time.

Designing Inclusive & Diverse AI Education

• Inclusive Design: Teach AI & bias using varied formats (text, visuals, discussions) that is diverse, and let staff demonstrate learning in different ways.
• AI Literacy: Cover basic AI concepts, data awareness, and how to critically evaluate tools for bias and fairness.
• Ethics & Bias: Discuss racial bias in AI, ethical responsibilities, and how to identify and address bias.
• Practical Focus: Use real-world scenarios, provide tool assessment checklists, and empower staff to advocate for equitable AI.
• Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing education, sharing of best practices, and provide resources for staying updated.

Live Demo

Create & Refine Resumes

• Perplexity: advanced AI-powered search and writing assistant
• Key demo benefits: generate, refine, and tailor resumes for diverse clients, save time and improve outcomes

​

Use AI Like a Human Assistant

Step 3: Ask Perplexity to create 3 resumes in different resume formats: chronological, functional, hybrid

​

Step 4: Ask Perplexity to recommend the best version. Export.

​

Optional Step 5: use perplexity to refine the summary based on the client's recent AI skills.

Step 1: Collect Data & Format

→ A resume template [show]

→ Add client's resume, or use: Bus driver resume example

→Add bus driver job description

Step 2: Create prompt:

Create a resume in the [Resume Template] format for a [bus driver job description] using this information: [paste client details].

Live Demo

Summarize Long HR Policies with AI

• Google's Gemini: AI assistant that can understand and generate text, images, audio, video, and code. (free, publicly available)
• Key demo benefits: make long HR docs (e.g., employee handbooks, policies, guidelines) more accessible

Save Time with Summaries

Step 3: Ask Perplexity to create three different types of handbooks: a 1-page summary, 5-page, and 3 social media posts introducing it

​

Step 4: Ask Perplexity to recommend the best version for a Board of Directors’ review. Export.

​

Optional Step 5: use Perplexity to refine the summary based on the client's recent AI skills.

Step 1: Collect Data & Format

→ Select a longform HR document

→ Example Employee Handbook

→ Open Gemini.Google.com

Step 2: Create prompt:

Create an executive summary (2 paragraphs or less) written for a general audience who may have basic english skills of the employee handbook example attached.

[Attach the file]

Demo: Create a Presentation: AI for HR

Step 1: Define Parameters

→ Define audience: HR Workforce team of X people at X type of org

→ Select a topic: Training AI for HR

→ Choose objective: expand skills for HR team

​

Refine Parameters:

→ Require content that is diverse in content format, racial representation, age, gender, style.

→ Program is 6 weeks long, 3 hours per day

→ Expected outcome: the team uses AI tools to improve productivity

Step 2: Create prompt:

Open Gamma.app: Create a 20-slide high-level presentation about how to use AI over a period of 6 weeks at 3 hours per day to an HR team. The industry is workforce development. The goal is to familiarize the team with AI tools and get them to use them. Content should be representative of different races, ages, genders, style formats, etc. Tone should be informative, be supported by data, and lay out a general plan of action.

→ Pro tip: You could also develop the outline content in ChatGPT/Perplexity/Gemini and then paste that into Gamma

Demo: Using AI to Draft Emails

​

​

Prompt to AI:

​

​

​

Draft an email to a potential employer partner to see if they would be interested in hiring staff from a local workforce development program

AI Response:

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I represent [Your Organization/Program Name], a local workforce development program that prepares job seekers with in-demand skills for today’s job market.

We have a group of motivated, job-ready candidates trained in [skills/industries]. I’m reaching out to see if your organization would be interested in hiring from our diverse talent pool or learning more about potential partnership opportunities.

Please let me know if you could connect at [DATE/TIME], or feel free to suggest a different time or direct me to the appropriate contact.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,�[Your Name]�[Your Title/Role]�[Your Organization/Program Name]�[Your Contact Information]

Subject: Skilled Talent from Our Workforce Development Program

Curated Resources to Learn More

FutureTools.io: Curated AI tools for what you need by Matt Wolfe (my favorite and most trusted AI thought leader)

​

Matt Wolfe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mreflow

​

WhatAIcanDoToday.com: similar to FutureTools but more comprehensive and less curated

​

Favorite Tools:

​

Perplexity.ai: spreadsheet analysis, content writing/editing, AI Assistant

​

Manus.im: like Perplexity on steroids. Whoa. McKinzie consultant-style reports

​

Gemini.Google.com, Claude.ai: AI Assistants (writing, editing, research)

​

IdeoGram.io: image creation/editing

Wrap-Up

39

Upcoming Trainings:

• “Designing with Dignity: Building Anti-Racist Workforce Programs in Challenging Times Virtual Training” on Tuesday, June 3 from 1pm-2:30pm CST

​

• “Youth Career Pathways Webinar” on Thursday, June 5 from 1pm-3pm CST

Become a CJC Member

40

Thank you!

Please complete today’s brief learning evaluation:�

41