Practical AI

Join experienced AI educator & technologist Stephen Reid for a four-week course designed to get you comfortable using the latest AI tools.

This comprehensive course covers a wide range of cutting-edge AI tools and technologies, providing you with hands-on experience and practical skills. You'll explore powerful language models for text generation and analysis, cutting-edge image creation and manipulation tools, state-of-the-art video generation platforms, and innovative AI-powered music composition software. Additionally, you'll gain proficiency in versatile AI toolboxes that offer a multitude of creative possibilities.

Throughout the course, you'll have the opportunity to experiment with these tools, learning how to leverage their capabilities for your personal and professional projects. By the end of the four weeks, you'll have a solid foundation in AI technology and be well-equipped to navigate and utilise the rapidly evolving landscape of AI tools.

Tools you'll encounter in the course include:

• LLMs: Claude, ChatGPT & Gemini
• Images: Midjourney, DALLE, Stable Diffusion & Playground
• Video: Runway, Pika & Luma
• Music: Suno & Udio
• Toolboxes: fal & Replicate

The final session will be a bit different, focusing more on the possible impacts and risks of AI.

Course outline

Sessions will take place 4pm–6pm UK time (BST/GMT)/5pm–7pm Europe time (CEST/CET) on four consecutive Mondays via Zoom:

• Monday 16th September 2024
• Monday 23rd September 2024
• Monday 30th September 2024
• Monday 7th October 2024

Sessions will be recorded and shared (so you can catch up if you're late/miss one).

Week 1: Fundamentals of AI & Large Language Models (Monday 16th September 2024)

In this foundational session, we'll dive into the core concepts of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning. We'll explore the history and rapid evolution of AI, with a special focus on Large Language Models (LLMs) that are revolutionizing natural language processing. You'll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge LLMs and learn about their capabilities, limitations, and practical applications across various fields.

• AI (Artificial Intelligence) v ML (Machine Learning) v DL (Deep Learning)
• Recommended newsletters and podcasts
• AI tool directories
• A brief history of AI
• Large Language Models (LLMs)
  • Anthropic's Claude
  • OpenAI's ChatGPT
  • Google's Gemini
  • Local and open source LLMs
• Context windows
  • Beyond context windows: Retrieval Augmented Generation
• 'Hallucinations'/Fabrication/BS
• Prompt engineering
• LLM-based apps
  • Writing
  • Research
  • Coding
  • Language learning
  • Roleplay & companionship
  • Search & summarisation

Week 2: AI images, video & music (Monday 23rd September 2024)

This week, we'll explore the creative side of AI, focusing on tools that generate and manipulate visual and audio content. You'll learn about state-of-the-art image generation models, cutting-edge video creation and editing tools, and innovative AI-powered music composition software. By the end of this session, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of how AI is transforming creative industries and how you can leverage these tools in your own projects.

• AI images: Midjourney, Playground, Stable Diffusion & DALLE-3
• AI voice & video: ElevenLabs, Runway, Pika, Stable Video, Luma & Sora
• AI music: Suno & Udio

Week 3: AI APIs and toolkits (Monday 30th September 2024)

In our third week, we'll delve into the world of AI APIs and toolkits, which provide creators with powerful, flexible tools for integrating AI capabilities into their own applications and workflows. We'll focus on three major platforms - fal.ai, Replicate, and Runway - exploring their diverse offerings and how they can be used to enhance various aspects of content creation and data processing.

Week 4: AI Futures (Monday 7th October 2024)

Our final week takes a step back to consider the broader implications of AI technology. We'll explore potential future scenarios, discuss the societal impact of widespread AI adoption, and consider both the promises and risks associated with advanced AI systems. This session aims to provide a balanced, informed perspective on AI's role in shaping our future, encouraging critical thinking about the ethical and practical considerations of this rapidly evolving field.

• The best case
• Life 3.0 (Max Tegmark)
  • Glossary
  • Summary
  • Aftermath scenarios
• Summary of AI risks (beyond alignment)
• Statement on AI Risk
• Limitations of AI
• Wise AI

The schedule is subject to change to ensure maximal relevance in this fast-changing space.

About Stephen

Stephen Reid is a transdisciplinary technologist, facilitator and Dharma student who has trained in the fields of AI/ML, complexity science, physics, transformative coaching and insight meditation. Current projects include hosting immersive residencies as a co-founder of Futurecraft, consulting for top organisations on AI projects, and leading the development of the Dandelion platform for regenerative events and co-created gatherings as part of not-for-profit worker co-op Symbiota.

Previously, he founded The Psychedelic Society, taught the Introduction to AI, Introduction to web3, How to DAO, Tools for the Regenerative Renaissance, The Promise of Decentralisation & Life as Practice courses, and served as the youngest ever board member of Greenpeace UK.

Stephen has an MPhys in Physics from the University of Oxford, where he specialised in quantum field theory, an MRes in Complexity Science from the University of Bristol, and a Professional Certificate in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence from UC Berkeley.

He lives with his partner Laura in Stockholm, Sweden.