AI Makerspace Events and Workshops

The Human Choices Behind AI: An Introduction to AI Ethics

Every AI system, from chatbots to hiring tools, reflects human decisions about what data it learns from, what it is built to do, where it is used and who answers when it fails. Hosted by AI Makerspace, this 90-minute lecture and discussion uses real-world cases to explore fairness, privacy, transparency, safety and accountability, then applies them to everyday campus dilemmas. It's open to students, staff and faculty at any level of AI experience.

Please bring something to take notes with if desired.

Led by Saad Saleem, weekly on Wednesdays from 5:30- to 7:00pm (90 minutes). 

AI Models From Scratch (For all UMN students)

Skip the heavy math and theory, learn intuitively how AI models work, then hands-on train your very first AI model from scratch, all-in-one 90 minute workshop!
 
After this workshop, you’ll be able to:
1. Understand how AI algorithms "think".
2. Train your own AI models on real datasets.
3. Apply custom-built AI models to solve unique problems in your own field.
 
Led by David Rangel Garcia. Located in Room 125 in Walter Library. The next workshop is on Thursday October 13th from 5:30pm-7pm.
 
Weekly on Thursdays from 5:30pm-7:00pm.

Introduction to AI

A comprehensive and non-technical introduction to AI: what is it, how is it already in the world around us, socioeconomic and environmental impacts,  Large Language Models, prompt engineering, appropriate and ethical use, and a few practical examples. Open to students, staff, and faculty/instructors of any skill level. This is intended to be an accessible but comprehensive introduction. No coding or technical experience is required. 

emote attendance available over zoom 
Zoom link: https://umn.zoom.us/j/99725457657?pwd=VwhUzIupbvsnWwL1sD3MqOICKvyZuD.1
 

Led by Joe Finnegan.  Located in room 125 in Walter Library and available via Zoom with the link above. The first meeting will be on October 14th, Wednesday, from 12:30pm-2pm.