A group of students working on a project together at a table

Learn and Lead AI @ UIC

Build hands-on AI skills you can use in your career, your studies and your everyday life.

Learn and Lead AI @ UIC is a free, informal AI learning series for the UIC community. The first sessions will be focused for upper-division undergraduates, but additional opportunities are being planned for the full UIC community.

It is non-credit, low-pressure, and it is taught in person by UIC faculty. In four hands-on sessions, participants learn to use AI tools effectively and responsibly. You’ll leave with a portfolio of projects you can show employers and a digital badge.

Registration has closed for October’s sessions. You can contact us to be notified when registration opens for future sessions!

 

At a glance (Fall 2026)

  • Who it’s for: UIC upper-division undergraduate students
  • When: Monday, Oct. 19 – Friday, Nov. 13, 2026
  • Time commitment: 8 hours total, in four two-hour weekly sessions
  • Format: Informal, in-person and hands-on learning series led by UIC faculty
  • Cost: Free
  • Recognition: UIC Learn and Lead AI digital badge. Non-credit (this is not a course but is instead an informal learning series).

 

Why participate?

AI is changing how we work, learn and make decisions. Employers increasingly expect graduates to use AI tools well and to know when not to trust them. This informal learning series helps you build those skills now with guidance from UIC faculty.

  • Learn by doing. Every session is hands-on. You’ll work directly with AI tools on practical projects, not just hear about them.
  • Build work you can show. You’ll create work samples during the series that you can add to a portfolio and share with employers and graduate programs.
  • Earn a badge. When you complete the series, you’ll receive a digital badge. You can add it to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • Think critically about AI. You’ll learn to question AI outputs and check facts. You’ll also consider data privacy, ethical boundaries and environmental impacts.
  • Apply it right away. The skills carry over to your classes, internships, job search and daily life.

No prior AI experience is needed to participate!

What You'll Learn

  • Effective AI Use Learn about different AI systems, mindfully review and improve prompts and outputs from AI systems, and consider how data are used in AI

  • AI Awareness Gain awareness of AI systems in your everyday life (not just chatbots) and confidently navigate what's to come in the future

  • Amplify Creativity Amplify your creativity with AI tools, and know when they're appropriate while maintaining your personal voice

  • Fact & Sense Checking Exercise judgment, sensibility, and critical analysis about AI system accuracy and appropriateness for tasks

  • Human Oversight Ensure safe and ethical alignment of AI use and avoid emerging risks by knowing how humans should be centered with AI

  • AI Verification Know how to verify trustworthy information from AI and ask questions about how systems make decisions

A group of students working on an AI design challenge together at a whiteboard

Fall 2026 sessions

Fall 2026 sessions are open to upper-division undergraduate students. Sessions meet weekly from Oct. 19 to Nov. 13. You’ll indicate which times you’re available when you register.

  • Monday, 5–7 p.m., BH 208
  • Tuesday, 5–7 p.m., LC C1
  • Thursday, 5–7 p.m., LC C1
  • Friday, 1–2:50 p.m., LC C1

Built-in flexibility: If you can’t attend your registered session one week, you can attend a different session that same week to stay on track.

 

How to register

Registration has closed for Fall 2026. Contact us to be notified when registration opens in the future!

 

What you’ll need

Bring a device to each session (a laptop is highly recommended for the activities) that can run Google Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, or a similar AI tool. We’ll send setup instructions after you register. All UIC students have access to free Google Gemini through an opt-in process, request access to Gemini at this link for your UIC email account!

 

Questions?

Send questions about the series, registration, or sessions to learnai@uic.edu.

Sign up to be notified of future Learn & Lead AI sessions and opportunities! Additional opportunities are being developed for graduate students, faculty, and staff as well.

Get Notified!