What is this thing called AI written on a blue Post-it

What Is This Thing Called AI? – Free 3-week workshop series

Help us test our new workshop series

We’re launching a new three-part workshop series to help people navigate AI with confidence and clarity, and we need your help to make it as useful as possible.

About the workshops

In these sessions there are no right or wrong answers, and we’re not here to convince you to use or avoid AI. Instead, we’re focused on demystifying AI through practical understanding so you can make your own informed choices – whether that means using it, avoiding it, or challenging it when necessary.

We’ll cut through the noise by focusing on what AI actually does, how it works, and where it might get things wrong.

What you’ll gain:

  • A clear understanding of what AI can and can’t do
  • Hands-on experience of various AI tools
  • Skills to spot when AI is helpful and when it’s not
  • Confidence to make your own decisions about AI tools

Workshop topics:

  • Session 1: Demystifying AI – What it actually is
  • Session 2: Making informed decisions about AI
  • Session 3: Engaging confidently with AI

There will be hands-on practical experience throughout all three sessions to help build real understanding.

Who should attend:

  • Anyone curious about AI and wanting to understand what it actually is
  • People involved in community groups, charities, local councillors or anyone else who wants to explore how AI might help their work or use it more confidently
  • Anyone who wants to cut through AI confusion with practical, grounded learning
  • People interested in learning how to use AI responsibly
  • All backgrounds and levels of experience welcome

When: Tuesday 7th October, Tuesday 14th October, Tuesday 21st October (three consecutive Tuesdays)
Time: 7-9pm
Where: Online via Zoom

Your participation and feedback will be invaluable in helping us refine these materials for future delivery across communities.

Register for the series

Also happening: Co-design sessions for professionals

If you’re a trainer, facilitator, or a professional working in data or AI, we’re also running co-design sessions in September to help shape these materials before the public workshops begin. We’ll work together to develop and refine the materials, exercises, and approaches for each workshop.

When: Monday 15th September, Monday 22nd September, Monday 29th September (1:00-2:30pm)

Register (You can drop in to any or all sessions.)

Questions about either series? Contact sam@opendatamanchester.org.uk

About this work

Both series are part of our ongoing Data For Communities programme, which aims to make data accessible and useful for communities. Your participation and feedback will help us create resources that promote informed decision-making. All materials developed through this process will be made available under open licenses for anyone to adapt and use.