Generative AI For Business: Understanding LLMs (Claude, ChatGPT etc)

This event is part of the GenAI Skills Academy course material. A practical, plain‑English introduction to large language models (LLMs) and neural networks. We’ll demystify how these systems process inputs, where their strengths come from, and where they fail. You’ll learn the difference between generative AI and agents, how typical request pipelines work, and what that means for accuracy, privacy, and responsible use at work. No coding required. Join me in the GenAI Skills Academy to get more tutorials and guidance on AI for work and business.

You’ll learn in this lesson

• Neural networks in simple terms: layers, weights, pattern recognition, and why paths aren’t predetermined
• Generative AI vs. traditional ML: why LLMs predict next tokens and what that implies for “creativity” and reliability
• LLM request flow: prompt → moderation → model → interface, plus what gets stored where
• AI agents: autonomy, reactivity, and practical business use cases — and where human oversight is essential
• Pros and cons: productivity gains and risk mitigation versus bias, hallucinations, de‑skilling, and loss of control
• Data and privacy basics: model training, chat memory, third‑party processors, and safer sharing habits

Who it’s for

• Professionals and teams adopting AI tools for everyday work
• Educators and managers seeking a grounded understanding before rollout
• Anyone who wants clear, evidence‑aware guidance without the hype

Outcomes

• A clear mental model for how LLMs and agents operate
• Practical criteria to decide when to trust, verify, or escalate to human judgement
• Actionable guardrails for privacy and responsible use in your workflow

Format

• Short talk with examples and resources
• Part of the free GenAI Starter series from the GenAI Skills Academy
• Follow‑on lessons cover hands‑on setup and settings in ChatGPT and Claude

Bring your questions. Leave with a realistic, usable understanding of LLMs you can apply immediately on the job.