How AI Actually Works

A plain-language course for people who use AI tools at work or in daily life, covering how large language models are trained, why they sometimes fabricate, and how to prompt, delegate, and verify with confidence.

3 sections ยท 10 lessons

Course outline

How Models Learn

  1. Prediction, Not Lookup
  2. Tokens and Working Memory
  3. From Autocomplete to Assistant
  4. Why AI Makes Things Up
  5. Anatomy of a Fabricated Report

Getting Good Output

  1. Brief It Like a New Hire
  2. Show, Don't Just Tell
  3. Choosing What to Delegate
  4. Rescue a Failing Prompt

Judgment and Trust

  1. Judging Fluent Answers
  2. Verify Before You Rely
  3. Cutoffs and a Moving Field
  4. Delegate, Verify, or Decline

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