Artificial Intelligence

This practical, hands-on course is designed to help participants understand and apply artificial intelligence tools — primarily focused on Microsoft Copilot with some ChatGPT — to enhance productivity, improve decision making, and drive operational efficiency. It is purposely presented in workshop format for more emphasis on demonstrations, interactivity, student engagement and practice; also, for very short and focused lectures with effective supporting materials and handouts (including many prompts used in the course).

The program begins with a foundational introduction to AI: what it is, why it matters, and a balanced perspective on its opportunities and limitations. It provides guidance on responsible AI usage and ethics. Participants will explore the critical role of prompts — the language used to interact with AI — and how well-crafted, goal-oriented prompts can significantly improve outcomes.

The core of the course focuses on applying Microsoft Copilot across the Microsoft 365 suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Participants will receive step-by-step guidance on using both free and paid versions of Copilot, with emphasis on key features and time-saving capabilities. Key ChatGPT concepts, highlighting its association with Copilot are presented as well.

Day 3 takes a deeper dive into how AI—particularly Copilot—can support data analysis and generate actionable business insights. Some main highlights are the Copilot quick ‘Wins and Wows,’ along with the creation of job personas aligned to real-world scenarios. The course concludes with a forward-looking discussion on how AI can empower individuals, teams, and organizations to work more intelligently, creatively, and collaboratively.

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Target Audience

This course is designed for business professionals, team leaders, and knowledge workers who want to integrate AI tools into their daily workflows. It is ideal for those with limited technical experience who are looking to boost productivity, enhance data-driven decision-making, and stay ahead in an AI-enabled workplace.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including key benefits, risks.
• Learn the concept and importance of prompts in AI interactions.
• Explore and apply the core features of Microsoft Copilot across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Compare and utilize key functions in both the free and paid versions of ChatGPT and Copilot.
• Discover practical ways AI tools can enhance individual productivity and team collaboration.
• Gain hands-on experience using AI to support data analysis, insights, and decision-making.
• See real-world uses where AI can drive efficiency, creativity, and impact across organizations.

Key Takeaways

• Build a Strong AI Foundation: Understand the fundamentals of AI, including its benefits, limitations, and practical applications in the workplace.
• Master Prompting Techniques: Learn how to craft effective prompts to interact with AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT for more accurate, useful results.
• Leverage Microsoft 365 AI Tools: Gain hands-on experience using Microsoft Copilot across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams to boost efficiency.
• Turn AI into Insight: Explore how AI can support data analysis and decision-making, driving smarter, faster outcomes for individuals and teams.

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Course Outline

Day One

Module 1: Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• What Is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
• How It Matters in Today’s World
• AI Capabilities and Functionalities
• Discussion: Let’s discuss some of the risk of using AI
  • General Benefits and Risk
• AI as a “Supplement, not a Replacement”
  • Responsible AI Usage and Emerging Trends
  • AI Ethics and Future Trends
  • AI Augmented Leadership
  • Guidance on AI Deployment
• Overview: Free Version vs. Paid Version
• Overview: The “Power of Two”: AI and Analytics

Module 2: Introducing AI Prompts (Preview)

• Discussion: What Are Prompts and Why Are They so Important with AI?
• The Importance of Prompts
  • “Good Prompt” vs. “Bad Prompt”
  • Prompt Engineering and the GCES Process
  • Prompt Proven Approach: GOAL, CONTEXT, EXPECTATION, SOURCE (GCES)
  • Activity: “Fix My Prompt”
• More from the ‘Prompt School’
  • Prompt Do’s and Don’ts
  • Keys to Successful AI Prompts
  • Key Handout / Discussion: The ‘Prompt Dictionary’
• Introducing: Pre-Made Prompts
• Using the Copilot Prompt Gallery
• Activity: More Prompt Demo’s and Practices

Module 3: Limited AI Features in Earlier MS Versions

• Overview / Demo of Features in MS 2019
• Overview / Demo of Features in MS 365
  • Activity: Practicing MS 365 AI Features

Module 4: Overview of the Popular AI Platforms

• Comparison of Popular AI Platforms and Tools
• MS Copilot and Open AI ChatGPT: Associations, Similarities, Differences
• Video Introduction of MS Copilot

Module 5: About MS Copilot (FREE), Specifically

• What is it?
  • Key Benefits
• Free Version of Copilot
  • Signing on
• Demo of Key Features of FREE Copilot
• General AI Prompts (Demo and Practice Possibilities)
  • Say Good-bye to Google (Searching)
  • General Emails
  • Validate Errors / Fix Grammar Mistakes / Analyze Tone
  • Generate Bullet Points
  • Make decisions / Pros and Cons
  • Create a Table / Show Comparisons
  • Prepare for an Important Meeting
  • Find a Presentation Templates
  • Save Prompts
  • Activity: Perfecting the Prompt

Day Two

Module 6: The Power of the PDF (Demo and Practice Possibilities)

• Attach a Single PDF for a Project
• Provide Quantitative and Qualitative Information
• Analyze and Summarize in Table Format
• Show and Summarize Risk, Timeline and Other Key Project Information
• Attach Two PDFs for a Project
• Compare and Summarize Financial Information in Table Format
• Rank Which One Best Meets Our goals and Expectations
• Other General PDF Prompts and Demos
  • Create a PPT Presentation from a PDF
  • Have Copilot Provide the PDF for Insights and Analysis
  • Use This Information in Word, PPT, to Create Visuals
  • Use This Information for Ranking, Pros / Cons, Comparisons and Making Decisions
  • Ask for Suggestions and Recommendations for Best Alternatives
  • Activity: Applying PDF Power with Practice

Module 7: FREE MS Copilot with Power Point

• General Prompts and PPT Slides (Demo and Practice Possibilities)
  • Create Prompt
  • Get Outline
  • Copy / Paste in Word
  • Outline View / Outline Levels
  • PPT / Insert Slide / Save from Outline
  • Select and Load Outline from Word
  • Copilot: Download Image / Design Tab: Bring in Image
• Overview / Demo of Copilot Power Point (PAID Version)
  • Activity: Creating a Copilot PPT Presentation

Module 8: FREE MS Copilot in Excel

• General Prompts and Overview (Demo and Practice Possibilities)
  • Formula & Function Help
  • Data Cleaning Guidance
  • Explaining Analytics Techniques
  • Scenario Simulation / Sample Data
  • Statistical Explanations
  • Visualization Guidance
  • Activity: Practicing FREE Copilot in Excel

Module 9: PAID MS Copilot in Excel

• General Prompts and Overview (Demo and Practice Possibilities)
  • Insert a Table and Show Data Insights
  • Adding Pivot Charts and Other Insights to the Grid
  • Create Formulas
  • Insert Columns (Filter and Validate)
  • VLOOKUP / XLOOKUP
  • Data Tab / Clear or Cleanse Inconsistent Data
  • Other Popular Excel and Analytics Features
  • Six Copilot Excel Hacks
    • Text Functions
    • More Functions and Formulas
    • Create Dashboards
    • Copilot for Data Analysis
    • How to Make Charts
    • Conditioning Formatting
  • Activity: Practicing PAID Copilot in Excel

Day Three

Module 10: Overview of Copilot and other MS Applications

• Copilot Benefits for Groups, Teams and Organizations
• General Prompts and Overview (Demo and Practice Possibilities)
  • Copilot in Outlook
    • Summarize Emails for Any Action Items
    • Review Long Emails and Summarize the Top 5 Most Important Points
    • Find the Time to Meet and Schedule a Meeting
    • Copilot Coaching for Email Tone
  • Copilot in TEAMS
    • Record and Transcribe a Meeting
    • How to View Missed Meetings and Get All the Details Later
    • Can Add Applicable Links, Tasks to Outlook, Teams
  • Copilot with OneNote
    • Summarize Tasks, Create “To Do Lists,” etc.

Module 11: More AI and Analytics

• More on “The “Power of Two”: AI and Analytics
• General Prompts and Overview (Demo and Practice Possibilities)
  • Advanced VLOOKUP / XLOOKUP and More Flash fill
  • Mini-Dashboard
  • The Impressive Analyze Tab
  • Slicer and filters
  • Filter by Choice
  • Advanced Slicers / Filter Pivot Tables
  • Advanced Pivot Tables (Filter Charts)
  • More Advanced Formulas
  • • Splitting Last / First Names
    • Detecting Mistakes
    • Mathematical Expressions
    • Other Conditions / Validation
    • IF / AND / Others
  • Copilot Deep Thinker
  • Excel Quick ‘Wins and Wows’
    • Splitting Last / First Names
    • More on Pivot Tables / Filters
    • Get to the Last Sheet in Workbook
    • Schedule a Prompt
    • AI Dictation
    • ‘Talk to the PDF’
    • Advanced Analysis Features
    • Write Across Multiple Sheets
  • Real-world Copilot Job Personas
  • Copilot and ChatGPT
    • Links, Associations, Contrasts
    • Making the Most of Both Tools

  Module 12: Very Advanced Topics

  • General Prompts and Overview (Demo and Practice Possibilities)
    • Copilot Agents
    • Introducing Python
    • Macros
  • Other Great, Useful Features and Functions
    • Copilot Studio
    • Copilot Create
    • Complimentary Tools / Add-ons

  Module 13: Course Wrap-up

  • Supplemental Handouts, Reference Material and Resources
  • Summary

  MDV1015 Course Code