AI Prompt Engineering for the Workforce

This course offers a practical introduction to using generative AI tools responsibly in professional settings. Participants will learn how AI language models work at a high level and how to write, refine, and evaluate prompts for clearer, more useful results.

Using demonstrations, guided activities, and real-world examples, participants will gain hands-on experience applying AI to writing, analysis, summarization, and problem-solving tasks. The course also explores multimodal prompting, common AI limitations such as hallucinations and bias, and key guardrails for accurate, ethical, and secure use.

What You Will Learn

• Understand how generative AI models interpret and respond to prompts.
• Write clear, effective prompts for common workplace tasks.
• Apply prompt design techniques to improve accuracy and relevance.
• Refine prompts through iteration to achieve better results.
• Identify and reduce common AI output risks such as hallucinations.
• Practice responsible AI use in professional settings.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to AI and Prompt Engineering

• Overview of generative AI and language models
• How AI assistants interpret and respond to prompts
• Starting, managing, and continuing AI conversations
• Understanding chat context and prompt chaining
• Introduction to multimodal prompting

Module 2: Crafting Effective AI Prompts

• Principles of clear and effective prompt design
• Zero-shot and few-shot prompting approaches
• Using prompt frameworks to structure instructions
• Iterative prompt refinement and experimentation
• Evaluating AI outputs for quality and relevance

Module 3: Practical Application and Challenges

• Applying AI prompting to real government work tasks
• Controlling writing style and tone with AI
• Recognizing AI limitations, including hallucinations and bias
• Ethical, privacy, and security considerations
• Responsible AI use within government guidelines

Module 4: Learning Activities & Knowledge Checks

• Guided demonstrations and applied exercises
• Scenario-based practice using work-related examples
• Knowledge checks reinforcing key concepts