Expert Series: Unlock AI Productivity at Work
- Overview
- Expert Class Topics
- How to Join
- Resources
About the Program
The Expert Series: Unlock AI Productivity at Work is a one-hour, free, online class taught by AI expert and enthusiast, Michael Todasco, designed to empower San Diego professionals to navigate AI confidently and integrate it into their business for growth and innovation.
Participants will learn how AI can enhance your workflow, explore its impact on business, automation, and efficiency, and learn the challenges that come with AI adoption. Program benefits include learning from experts in the field with real-world applications and gaining a competitive edge in the evolving business landscape.
Meet Your Instructor
Michael Todasco is a Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for AI at SDSU where he mentors students, supports the research, and writes and speaks about how the center can help the community and the world.
Is This Program Right for Me?
Our program is ideal for San Diego business professionals interested in integrating AI into their daily operations, business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to leverage AI tools, and individuals who are overwhelmed or unsure of AI’s capabilities.
San Diego Business Professionals interested in integrating AI into their daily operations. Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Professionals looking to leverage AI tools. Individuals who are overwhelmed by AI’s capabilities or unsure how to apply it.
Industries:
- Business
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Hospitality
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Life Sciences
Why it Matters
Generative AI is a powerful tool that is reshaping our world in many ways. Being familiar with it can help individuals navigate these changes and take advantage of the wide range of opportunities it presents. AI is transforming industries by automating tasks, optimizing operations, and personalizing customer experiences.
This industry is projected to become a $1.3 trillion market by 2032. This significant growth is driven by several factors, including advancements in AI technology, increased adoption across various sectors, and the rising demand for AI powered solutions. Understanding the potential of generative AI and its projected market growth is crucial for individuals and businesses to stay ahead of technological trends, capitalize on new opportunities, and navigate the evolving landscape of AI innovation.
1. Introduction
- Estimates of AI adoption or AI productivity stats
- Setting expectations: This is about practical applications, not technical deep-dives
2. Text-Based AI Assistants
ChatGPT
Key Features:
- All in One AI Model
- Text Generation, Video Generation, Image Generation, Internet Search
- Voice Features
- Custom GPTs for Department-Specific Needs
- Enterprise-Grade Security and SSO Integration
Practical Use Cases:
- Meeting Preparation: Generate agendas, research talking points, and make an agenda for a presentation
- Email Management: Summarize correspondence threads and draft difficult responses
- Creative Problem: Solving: Brainstorming solutions and generating multiple approaches to challenges
- Deep Research: Dive deep into topics you need to research or don’t have time for
Alternatives: Google Gemini, Claude, DeepSeek, Perplexity.ai
3. Google’s NotebookLM
Key Features:
- Document-Based Knowledge Building
- RAG-Source Grounded Responses
- Collaborative Note-Taking Capabilities
Practical Use Cases:
- Project Management: Organizing complex project materials into actionable insights
- Knowledge Synthesis: Transforming multiple sources into cohesive understanding
- Audio learning opportunities: create podcasts about your weekly newsletter to share with your company
4. Meeting Enhancement Tools
Zoom AI Companion
Key Features:
- Meeting Summarization
- Action Item Extraction
- Time-Saving Capabilities
Practical Use Cases:
- Meeting Follow-up: Distributing comprehensive notes without manual transcription
- Productivity Tracking: Ensuring action items don’t fall through cracks
Alternatives: Fireflies.ai, Microsoft Teams Premium, Otter.ai
5. Creative AI Tools
Adobe Firefly
Key Features:
- Image Generation Capabilities
- Integration with Creative Cloud Ecosystem
- Commercial Usage Rights Clarity
Practical Use Cases:
- Marketing Materials: Quickly generating visuals for presentations, reports, and communications
- Design Iteration: Testing multiple design concepts without extensive manual work
Alternatives: Midjourney, ChatGPT/DALL-E, x.ai’s Image Generation
6. Pulling it All Together
- Creating seamless workflows between these tools
- Best practices for selecting the right tool for specific tasks
7. Q&A Session
There is no registration required for the AI Masterclass. The class will be hosted on Facebook Live on Friday April 11 at noon. Click here to join:
Frequently Asked Questions
Our program is designed for San Diego business professionals interested in integrating AI into their daily operations, business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to leverage AI tools, and individuals who are overwhelmed or unsure of AI’s capabilities.
No. The program is open to degree holders as well as students currently working towards a degree at San Diego State University. It’s also open to working professionals outside of SDSU.
Michael Todasco, AI expert and Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for AI at SDSU, designed the course content.
This class is designed for a wide range of industries, such as business, accounting, marketing, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, life sciences, and more.
The program is free of cost.