Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) Workforce Development will offer the “Put AI to Work for You: Save Time, Work Smarter Starting Monday” workshop, a hands-on session designed to help professionals and business owners turn artificial intelligence from a curiosity into a practical workplace tool, starting Monday.

The one-day workshop will be held on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the DSCC Henry County Center at E.W. Grove, located at 900 Grove Street in Paris. The registration fee is $399 and includes a boxed lunch and participant workbook.

Online registration is available at: https://bit.ly/4sxBRCX.

Many professionals have heard about ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools, and some have experimented with them. This workshop takes the next step by showing participants how to use AI effectively, responsibly, and accurately to save time and accomplish everyday workplace tasks.

Rather than spending the day simply discussing AI, participants will work on lab computers and, under the guidance of an experienced instructor, apply the technology to their workplace needs. Activities will demonstrate how AI can assist with tasks such as writing emails and marketing copy, organizing meeting notes, drafting customer responses, and working with spreadsheets.

Participants will also learn a straightforward framework for crafting effective prompts that produce useful results. During the workshop, they will begin building a personal library of reusable prompts tailored to their individual jobs and responsibilities.

By the end of the day, participants will leave with:

  • A personal prompt library based on their own job tasks
  • A reusable AI toolkit developed during the workshop
  • A participant workbook featuring the CRAFT Prompt Framework, role-specific starter prompts, and a responsible-use checklist
  • A 30-day action plan for immediately incorporating AI into their work

“AI has the potential to save professionals a tremendous amount of time, but only if they know how to use it effectively,” said Darrin Devault, Director of DSCC’s Workforce Development. “This workshop is designed to move beyond the hype and give participants practical skills they can put to work immediately. Our goal is for them to leave with tools and prompts they can use to work more efficiently and confidently.”

Participants who complete the workshop will receive a certificate of completion for six contact hours. No previous AI experience is required. Participants will need a free ChatGPT account, and account setup instructions will be provided before the workshop.

The workshop will be taught by Mark Jenkins, a certified WSI AI trainer and Paris native who leads the local WSI Digital Marketing agency. Founded in 1995 and operating in more than 80 countries, WSI is one of the world’s largest digital marketing networks, helping businesses put artificial intelligence to practical use.

Jenkins has more than 25 years of marketing experience, including leadership roles as director, vice president, and head of marketing, and he teaches online undergraduate and MBA marketing courses. He holds a doctorate in marketing, an MBA in finance, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Through his agency, Jenkins helps small and midsize businesses attract more customers online and use AI to compete more effectively.

The Department of Workforce Development at DSCC provides learning opportunities through certificate programs, customized workforce training, personal enrichment courses, and youth programs.

For more information about the AI workshop or other workforce training opportunities, contact Darrin Devault, Director of Workforce Development, at ddevault@dscc.edu or 731-286-3265.