This session offers a grounded, platform-agnostic introduction to how AI actually works, aimed at building the foundational literacy needed before diving into any specific tool. Rather than starting from hype or panic, the training walks through the basics of probability and machine learning that underlie today's generative models, so that every attendee leaves with a shared, critical vocabulary for evaluating why AI outputs look the way they do.

The talk moves from familiar, lower-stakes forms of AI to the generative systems now dominating public conversation, using accessible examples to unpack what's actually happening under the hood. It steers clear of promoting or critiquing any single product, focusing instead on the underlying technologies, since the specific platforms in use will keep changing.

Participants are encouraged to have paper and pencil, as the session includes a collaborative hands-on activity.

Training presented by Heather Froehlich, assistant specialist, Digital Scholarship, University of Arizona Libraries.