About

About Learn and Lead AI @ UIC

Learn and Lead AI @ UIC is a short, informal learning series for the UIC community. It is a non-credit professional development opportunity that gives hands-on experiences to build practical, responsible AI skills for work and life and how to be leaders in thinking about AI in their workplaces. The initiative is offered by the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. UIC faculty with expertise in AI develop and lead the series.

Why this matters

AI tools are quickly becoming part of nearly every profession and of daily life. Knowing how to use them is only part of the challenge. Graduates also need to judge when AI is helpful, when it gets things wrong, and how to use it responsibly.

Chancellor Miranda has emphasized the importance of preparing students to become fluent, critical, and ethical users of AI (read the Chancellor’s editorial in Science). Learn and Lead AI @ UIC gives students a valuable, faculty-led way to build these skills before they enter the workforce. As UIC is a leader in AI and technology innovation, this series enables the UIC community to also responsibly lead in AI in their own workplaces in the future as they graduate and make a positive impact on the world.

Our approach

• It’s entirely hands-on. Sessions are built around doing something. You’ll work with AI tools on real tasks and can create work that you can share.
• We believe in people. AI is just a tool that can support your thinking. Throughout the series, you stay in charge and make the decisions and discuss how humans stay in the driver’s seat with AI.
• Emphasizing thinking by design. You’ll practice the whole time with checking AI outputs, recognizing AI’s limits and tendencies, and verifying information.
• We practice responsible AI. Built into the program is recognizing the importance of data privacy, ethical boundaries, and environmental impacts. We think about how we mindfully navigate these challenges and avoid contributing to larger social harms.
• Taught by UIC faculty. The series is developed and led by UIC faculty with expertise in AI and teaching.

What you’ll gain

• Career-ready skills that employers value across industries.
• Portfolio-ready work that you create during the sessions and can show employers.
• A digital badge from the Office of the Provost to share on your resume and LinkedIn.
• Critical AI literacy skills for making informed decisions about when and how to use AI, and know when AI is inaccurate.
• Confidence using AI responsibly in coursework, job search, career, and everyday life.

Frequently asked questions

Who can participate?
This series will be initially open to UIC upper-division undergraduate students. Other members of the UIC community may be able to join as seats are available (e.g., graduate students, faculty, staff). Seats are limited. Additional opportunities are being planned in future months for the full UIC community.

Does it cost anything?
No. The series is completely free. UIC students, faculty, and staff all have access to Google Gemini tools through the UIC AI Tools program if you opt in.

Will it affect my transcript or GPA?
No. This is an informal, non-credit learning series. It does not appear on your transcript or affect grades.

Do I need experience with AI?
No. The series is designed for students at all levels of experience. You will learn from faculty across colleges at UIC and learn interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives to AI.

What if I miss a session?
If you can’t make your registered session, you can attend a different session that same week to stay on track.

How do I earn the badge?
Students who successfully complete the series receive the UIC Learn and Lead AI digital badge. Details will be shared with participants.

Have questions?

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

Looking ahead

Sign up to be notified when registration opens for future sessions!