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Artificial Intelligence Basics

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Introductions and Orientations

Zach Justus: Director of Faculty Development and Professor of Communication

Cass Hall: Senior Director of Academic Technology

This is part one of a three-part webinar series open to Chico State and regional partners.

Tell us about yourself through this Padlet

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What is generative AI?

Generative AI is a form of artificial intelligence technology that specializes in creating new content.

This can include a variety of outputs such as text, imagery, audio, and *synthetic data.

AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and CoPilot are examples of generative AI tools.

Generative AI tools are distinguished in their ability to understand, generate, summarize, translate, and predict language content.

These tools operate using Large language models (LLMs).

“It’s a little hard to trust something you can’t look in the eyes.” Hidden Figures

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What is an LLM?

A Large Language Model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that performs various natural language processing (NLP) tasks. ��They achieve this by being trained on massive amounts of text, enabling them to recognize patterns and structures within the language. ��For instance, the autocomplete feature in many applications uses a language model to predict and generate plausible language sequences.

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Defining Generative AI

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AI and Accuracy/Reliability

These models are prone to hallucinations.

The more context they have and the more “closed” they are the less they hallucinate.

The propensity for volume means checking for accuracy is not always possible.

The models are better now than they were a year ago.

“AI hallucinations remind us that intelligence, whether artificial or biological, is never perfect.” Science News Today

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AI and Bias

Training data sets can skew AI outputs.

Specific instructions can do the same.

This means you can find a model to match your own biases if you look hard enough.

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AI and Sustainability

In the US Data Centers consumed about 4.4 percent of total electricity in 2023, that could triple by 2028.

Average AI prompt uses about 16 oz of water.

All of this will change for better and worse.

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AI Information Security/Copyright

Scenario: Uploading copyrighted information

Scenario: Chat history privacy

Scenario: Identifiable information (student data)

If you don’t own the IP, don’t upload it into a custom GPT.

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AI and Written Content

Using AI to generate text in prose form.

Using AI to generate outlines.

Using AI to improve or modify existing text.

Example: Upload an existing article as a framework and proceed.

Protests at Columbia University

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STEM Example

Inquiry-Based Learning Trigonometry Curriculum (PDF)

Unit Circle Arc Distances in ChatGPT | Claude | Gemini

Understanding asymptotes in ChatGPT

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Articles About Metaphors for AI

“What a computer is to me is it’s the most remarkable tool that we’ve ever come up with, and it’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.” ~ Steve Jobs

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I’m panicking. What do I do now?

Consider Learning Outcomes first.

The world has changed, not just your class.

Assignment Matrix for a quick guide.

AI resource page, including course and webinar series.

AI Literacy and Prompting - Teaching Naked Blog from the book, Teaching with AI by José Bowen and C. Edward Watson.

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Source Grounded AI Tool to Explore

2025 NoteBookLM By Google

  • NotebookLM in 4 Minutes

Artificial Intelligence – The Office of Faculty Development – Chico State

AI in Padlet

Zoom AI Companion

Adobe Express AI

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Thank you!

See you on 10/2 for AI and Teaching/Learning