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<\/a><\/p>\nOrganizers said the partnership emerged from a shared concern that while AI technologies have become widely available, many professionals struggle to use them effectively.<\/p>\n
Workshops to Focus on Prompting, Work-Related Tasks<\/p>\n
The workshops will focus on prompting and asking AI systems effective questions while emphasizing hands-on learning and using the participants\u2019 work-related tasks.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI can help businesses operate more efficiently, effectively, and profitably,\u201d McLeod said. \u201cWe want to see local businesses maximize what they can achieve \u2014 to uplift our community and our economy. In just one day, Alex and I believe this training can significantly change how a business uses AI.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liu said AI proficiency has become an essential workplace skill and that involving students as tutors was a key part of the program\u2019s design.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI literacy is no longer optional for anyone entering the workforce \u2014 it\u2019s foundational,\u201d Liu said. \u201cThere\u2019s no better way to deepen mastery than to help someone else understand a concept, and no better way to serve our community than to share what we know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Granville Homes President and CEO Darius Assemi said the company chose to sponsor the workshops because of AI\u2019s growing influence across industries.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI is reshaping every industry, and the Central Valley can\u2019t afford to be left behind,\u201d Assemi said. \u201cAs a proud Fresno State alum, I\u2019m thrilled to see our universities and community colleges working together to bring this training to anyone who wants it.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Disclosure: Darius Assemi is the publisher of GV Wire)<\/p>\n
Students Excited to Introduce AI<\/p>\n
Students involved in the program also expressed enthusiasm about helping introduce AI tools to a broader audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we heard our college was partnering with Fresno State on this, the Startup Club jumped at the chance to be part of it,\u201d said Jay Parangalan, president of the Fresno City College Startup Club. \u201cAI is the single biggest tool any new business can use right now, and being able to share that with our community \u2014 especially with people who didn\u2019t grow up around this technology \u2014 is something we\u2019re genuinely excited about.\u201d<\/p>\n
The workshops are free and open to the public, though registration is encouraged. Participants are asked to bring a laptop, an AI chatbot of their choice, including Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot, and real work tasks they would like to explore using AI. No prior AI experience is required.<\/p>\n
Workshop Information<\/p>\n
The first workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, in Room 139 of the Student Recreation Center at California State University, Fresno.<\/p>\n
The second workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Old Administration Building Auditorium at Fresno City College.<\/p>\n