Discover Artificial Intelligence

Discover Artificial Intelligence is coming to the Southport Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library on Friday, November 13, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. It's a two-hour session designed to get you comfortable with the basics of generative AI—the kind of tools that can create text, images, and music from a simple prompt. If you've heard the term but aren't quite sure what it actually does or how it works, this is a good place to start.

The class covers the fundamental terminology and explains how AI uses data to generate its output, so you'll walk away with a clearer sense of what's happening under the hood. It also puts the technology in context with a brief timeline of how it's developed over the years. The session is built around a balanced perspective, meaning it doesn't just show you what the tools can do—it also spends time on the ethical considerations that come with them.

There's a hands-on component, too. The group will build an interactive project together using freely available tools, and while you work, there's a discussion about prompting techniques—how to talk to the AI to get the result you're looking for—and the credibility of what it spits back at you. It's a practical way to see the strengths and the limitations in real time.

The session is aimed at seniors, educators, and adults, and it's made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. It's currently full, but there is a waitlist available if you want to put your name down. You can find it at the Southport Branch, 2630 East Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227, on Friday, November 13, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.