What it is, how it's used, and how to stay safe in an AI-powered world
01 / Welcome
01 / Welcome
01 / Welcome
AI is already part of daily life. By the end of this workshop, you'll feel more confident navigating it.
Let's clear up the confusion
02 / What AI Is
That's it. It's pattern matching at massive scale—not magic, not thinking, not understanding.
02 / What AI Is
AI lacks common sense because it has no connection to the physical world.
A brick in one hand, a feather in the other—you know what happens when I let go. AI doesn't. It's never felt weight or gravity, only read about them.
02 / What AI Is
Your question
or request
Finds patterns
& predicts
Response
or suggestion
02 / What AI Is
02 / What AI Is
It reads a lot, works quickly, and gives confident answers—but it doesn't truly understand or verify facts. Always double-check important information.
You've been using AI for years
03 / AI You Already Use
AI decides which results to show you first
AI catches junk mail before you see it
AI suggests what you might enjoy watching
AI spots unusual transactions on your account
AI predicts traffic and finds the fastest route
AI suggests products based on what you've browsed
03 / AI You Already Use
Key point: AI isn't new—it's just becoming more visible and capable.
How AI can actually help you
04 / Practical Uses
AI can help you write better emails, letters, and documents:
04 / Practical Uses
Ask AI to explain things in plain language:
Tip: Add "explain it like I'm not an expert" to get simpler answers.
04 / Practical Uses
"In no event shall either party be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from your access to or use of or inability to access or use the services."
"If something goes wrong with our service, we're only responsible for direct, obvious damages — not the ripple effects."
04 / Practical Uses
"Plan a 5-day trip to Victoria for someone who likes gardens and history"
"Give me a week of easy dinners using chicken and vegetables"
04 / Practical Uses
AI can walk you through technology problems step by step:
04 / Practical Uses
AI is great for generating ideas and options:
04 / Practical Uses
Use it as a starting point, a helper, a brainstorming partner. But always apply your own judgment to anything important.
What to watch out for
05 / Staying Safe
05 / Staying Safe
Scammers are now using AI to create more convincing fraud:
05 / Staying Safe
Warning: Scammers can now call you using a voice that sounds exactly like a family member, claiming they're in trouble and need money urgently.
If this happens: Hang up and call that person directly using a number you already have. Don't trust the voice alone.
05 / Staying Safe
Warning: Scammers call and ask a simple question like "Can you hear me?" or "Is this Derrick Grigg?" to record your "Yes" response.
Good news: Even if you did say "yes," they don't have your banking info—it's only step one. But you'll likely get more calls. Check with your bank and credit card company to see if they use voice authentication, and ask about adding a secret passphrase to your account.
05 / Staying Safe
Sometimes AI confidently makes things up:
Remember: AI sounds confident even when it's wrong. Always verify important information from trusted sources.
05 / Staying Safe
Be careful what you share with AI tools:
05 / Staying Safe
The near future of AI
06 / What's Next
Better early detection of health issues
Tools for hearing, vision, and mobility assistance
Real-time translation breaking language barriers
Personalized learning at your own pace
06 / What's Next
06 / What's Next
AI is a tool. Like any tool, it can be used well or poorly. By staying informed and cautious, you can benefit from AI while protecting yourself.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Let's discuss what's on your mind.