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Course Description

Sixty-six percent (66%) of global leaders say they would not hire someone without AI skills, and seventy-one percent (71%) say they would prefer to hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills rather than a more experienced candidate without them (Work Trend Index Annual Report, 2024). These are striking statistics, and they're real!

As AI technologies continue to transform industries and revolutionize how we work and live, it has become a sine quo non for employees and leaders to comprehend their potential, implications, and drawbacks. This course will, therefore, help you navigate a future increasingly shaped by AI. The purpose of this course is to unpack the myths and reality surrounding generative AI and to equip participants with easily implementable applications that can enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.

Led by Dr. Mustafa Akben, the Director of AI Integration and Assistant Professor of Management at Elon University, you will learn what generative AI is, how it can be effectively used in various workplace contexts, and what the future holds for this transformative technology. 

Course Outline

• Introduction to Generative AI: Definition and core concepts; distinguishing generative AI from other AI technologies
• Generative AI in Business Functions:  Learning from successful implementations
• Natural Language Processing and Content Creation: Using AI for writing, summarization and other tasks; implications for communication and content strategy
• AI-Assisted Decision Making: Leveraging generative AI for data analysis and insights; balancing AI recommendations with human judgment
• Creative Applications of Generative AI: AI in design, multimedia content creation, and innovation processes
• Ethical Considerations and Bias: Addressing AI bias; ensuring responsible AI use in the workplace; privacy and data security concerns
• AI and the Future of Work: Impact on job roles and required skills; human-AI collaboration; preparing for an AI-augmented workplace 
• Implementation Strategies: Integrating generative AI into existing workflows; change management and employee training; measuring ROI of AI initiatives
• Developing your own custom AI bots: Creating AI chatbots tailored to specific business and individual needs.

Learning Outcomes

• Define generative AI and explain its key components and underlying technologies
• Identify current and potential applications of generative AI across various industries and job functions
• Analyze the impact of generative AI on workplace productivity, creativity, and decision-making processes
• Evaluate the ethical considerations and potential biases associated with implementing generative AI in professional settings
• Demonstrate basic proficiency in using popular generative AI tools for common workplace tasks
• Create basic implementations and AI chatbots that can work for you

Instructor Information

Dr. Mustafa Akben
Director of AI Integration
Assistant Professor of Management

Dr. Mustafa Akben is an Assistant Professor of Management at Elon University, specializing in deep learning and generative artificial intelligence and their impact on human cognition in the workplace. His research explores how AI may transform, enhance, or potentially replace human cognitive action, while also developing machine learning tools to advance social science research. Dr. Akben's AI projects include creating neural networks for detecting careless survey responses, identifying leadership skills, and analyzing AI readiness and policy in educational institutions. He collaborates with researchers and industry professionals to design and implement experiments that provide insights into AI-human cognition interactions. With a strong background in various statistical methods and research designs, including machine learning and deep models, Dr. Akben aims to contribute innovative solutions addressing the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving landscape of work and technology.