Getting Comfortable Using AI

Creative AI Tools

Last updated: December 13, 2024

Course Overview

Welcome to a free course designed for everyone - especially those who think tech might not be for them! This course is your stepping stone into the exciting world of AI creativity, with no technical background required.

We created this course to demystify AI and because we believe that people who use AI effectively and wisely will do better for themselves and for the world.

What You’ll Learn

In this hands-on course, you’ll discover how to use AI tools to bring your ideas to life. We’ll explore everything from writing and image creation to making music and building websites. By the end, you’ll be confidently using AI to create content you never thought possible!

Course Structure

The course is divided into two main phases:

Phase 1: Getting Comfortable with AI Tools

  • Start with friendly AI assistants that help you write and organize
  • Create images and characters using simple text descriptions
  • Generate speech and music without any musical training
  • Build confidence through hands-on practice

Phase 2: Putting It All Together

  • Learn how to combine different AI tools
  • Create a complete project that matters to you
  • Share your work with others

What Makes This Course Special

  • No Tech Background Needed: We explain everything in plain language
  • Learn by Doing: Every session includes practical exercises
  • Work at Your Pace: Clear milestones help you track your progress
  • Choose Your Path: Pick projects that interest you
  • Real Results: Create something meaningful by the end of the course

Final Projects

Choose from exciting projects like creating your own AI radio show, making an interactive children’s story, or building your personal brand package. Don’t worry - we’ll guide you through every step!

Who This Course Is For

  • Anyone curious about AI but unsure where to start
  • Creative people who want to explore new tools
  • Beginners who think tech might be “too complicated”
  • Anyone who wants to learn practical AI skills in a friendly environment

Remember: If you can describe what you want to create, you can learn to use AI to help make it happen. Let’s start this journey together!

Phase 1: Core AI Tools

Session 1: AI Assistants & Writing

Core Learning

  • Getting started with Claude and ChatGPT
  • Basic prompt engineering
  • Writing different content types
  • Organization and analysis tasks

Exercises

  1. “AI Conversation Basics”
    • Write 5 different types of prompts
    • Compare responses between Claude and ChatGPT
    • Learn to refine and iterate prompts
  2. “Content Creation Challenge”
    • Write a blog post with AI assistance
    • Create a structured outline
    • Generate multiple versions of headlines
    • Edit and refine with AI help

Milestones
✓ Successfully generate and refine a piece of content
✓ Understand key differences between AI assistants
✓ Create a prompt template collection

Session 2: Visual Creation

Core Learning

  • Using Flux through HuggingFace Spaces
  • Understanding visual prompts
  • Character and scene creation
  • Style exploration and variations

Exercises

  1. “Character Development”
    • Create a main character using Flux
    • Generate variations with different styles
    • Create expressions and poses
  2. “Scene Building”
    • Generate a background setting
    • Experiment with different times of day
    • Try various artistic styles

Milestones
✓ Create a coherent set of related images
✓ Successfully use style modifiers
✓ Export and organize visual assets

Session 3: Audio Generation & Processing

Core Learning

  • Text-to-speech with ElevenLabs free tier
  • Speech-to-text using Whisper Web
  • Basic audio editing
  • Voice style exploration

Exercises

  1. “Voice Exploration”
    • Test different ElevenLabs voices
    • Record and transcribe with Whisper Web
    • Create multiple variations of the same text
  2. “Audio Story”
    • Write a short script
    • Generate voice-overs
    • Basic audio cleanup

Milestones
✓ Generate clear, usable voice content
✓ Successfully transcribe audio
✓ Create a small audio collection

Session 4: Music Creation

Core Learning

  • Getting started with Suno
  • Understanding music prompts
  • Genre experimentation
  • Lyric generation and vocals
  • Creating instrumental tracks
  • Mixing vocals and background music

Exercises

  1. “Genre Journey”
    • Create a 30-second piece in three different genres
    • Experiment with tempo and mood
    • Try both instrumental and vocal tracks
  2. “Theme Music Creation”
    • Generate a signature tune
    • Create variations for different sections
    • Mix with voice-over

Milestones
✓ Create complete musical pieces
✓ Successfully generate lyrics
✓ Basic mixing of elements

Session 5: Project Ideation Bridge Session

Part 1: Skills Inventory

  • Review tools explored
  • Identify favorite combinations
  • List acquired skills
  • Note improvement areas

Exercise: “Tool Combination Sprint”

  • Create three 15-minute prototypes using different tool combinations
  • Document successful and challenging combinations
  • Share findings with group

Part 2: Project Selection

  • Review project options
  • Assess skill requirements
  • Create initial project outline

Exercise: “Project Pathway”

  • Map required tools and skills
  • Create asset checklist
  • Draft timeline
  • Define success metrics

Phase 2: Integration & Development

Session 6: Web Development

Core Learning

  • UI generation with v0.dev
  • Web app creation using Bolt.new
  • Understanding generated code
  • Basic customization

Exercises

  1. “Component Creation”
    • Generate basic UI elements
    • Modify existing components
    • Create responsive layouts
  2. “Site Assembly”
    • Build a single-page website
    • Add multiple sections
    • Implement navigation

Milestones
✓ Generate and modify UI components
✓ Create a basic working website
✓ Implement responsive design

Session 7: Integration & Project Launch

Core Learning

  • Combining text and visuals
  • Adding audio to projects
  • Basic web publishing
  • Project planning fundamentals

Exercises

  1. “Media Integration”
    • Combine text, images, and audio
    • Test different layouts
    • Optimize media files
  2. “Launch Preparation”
    • Final testing
    • Documentation
    • Presentation preparation

Milestones
✓ Successfully combine multiple media types
✓ Create project documentation
✓ Prepare presentation

Final Projects

Project Options

  1. “AI Radio Show”
  2. “Interactive Children’s Story”
  3. “Digital Poetry Experience”
  4. “Personal Brand Package”

Project Development Phases

  1. Planning & Asset Creation (1-2 sessions)
    • Create project outline
    • Generate initial assets
    • Test tool combinations
  2. Development (2-3 sessions)
    • Build core components
    • Integrate media
    • Initial testing
  3. Refinement (1-2 sessions)
    • Gather feedback
    • Make improvements
    • Prepare documentation
  4. Launch (Final session)
    • Final presentation
    • Peer review
    • Future development planning

Intro to AI Registration