For many people, AI doesn’t feel exciting—it feels wrong. It feels like stolen art, lost jobs, endless surveillance, environmental strain, manipulation, burnout, and broken trust. It feels like something powerful happening to us instead of for us.

AI Ouch is a community discussion for those who feel uneasy, skeptical, or overwhelmed by AI. Before the session, participants can anonymously share their concerns—about creativity, ethics, the economy, mental health, security, or anything else that hurts. During the event, we’ll listen to these “ouch” moments together and respond with empathy and practical literacy: clear explanations, honest limits, and language for staying human amid the noise.

Submit your “AI Ouch” anonymously. Submissions are optional and will remain private.

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• See common fears and frustrations reflected back with respect.
• Learn factual, compassionate responses to AI myths and harms.
• Leave with language—and hope—for talking about AI without shame or despair.

AI tools are increasingly being used for reflection, emotional support, and even moments of crisis — often by people who don’t realize their limits or risks. This session explores how AI literacy can literally save lives, helping participants recognize when to trust AI, when to turn to human help, and how to stay grounded while using these technologies.

At the end of this sessions, participants will be able to:

• Recognize what AI truly is — patterns of human behavioral data, not sentient advice.
• Maintain self-advocacy and autonomy while engaging with AI tools.
• Recognize unsafe or over-trusting patterns of use.
• Apply literacy and boundaries to support mental and emotional well-being.

Note: This session includes discussion of mental-health crises and suicidal ideation in the context of AI use. It is not a therapy session but a literacy and safety workshop. Participants are encouraged to care for themselves and step out if needed.

The one AI talk that will change how you see it—and yourself.

Most people think they understand AI—until they discover how deeply human it really is.

In this one-of-a-kind session, you’ll uncover the hidden truths behind artificial intelligence:

• How AI processes human inputs to generate responses based on collective human behavior.
• The impact of your language choices on AI outputs—and how to harness that influence.
• Common misconceptions about AI’s capabilities and limitations.

This isn’t a how-to. It’s a reawakening.

Faculty, staff, and students interested in gaining a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence, regardless of their current level of expertise.

Engage with our online community at the UT_AI Innovation Lab: Discussions & Resources to further explore AI topics and connect with others.

Note: This talk is the updated version of AI: Explanations and Demonstrations in the AI Innovation Lab series that has been growing and developing all semester.

The one AI talk that will change how you see it—and yourself.

Most people think they understand AI—until they discover how deeply human it really is.

In this one-of-a-kind session, you’ll uncover the hidden truths behind artificial intelligence:

• How AI processes human inputs to generate responses based on collective human behavior.
• The impact of your language choices on AI outputs—and how to harness that influence.
• Common misconceptions about AI’s capabilities and limitations.

This isn’t a how-to. It’s a reawakening.

Faculty, staff, and students interested in gaining a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence, regardless of their current level of expertise.

Engage with our online community at the UT_AI Innovation Lab: Discussions & Resources to further explore AI topics and connect with others.

Note: This talk is the updated version of AI: Explanations and Demonstrations in the AI Innovation Lab series that has been growing and developing all semester.

Creating effective prompts is key to harnessing the power of AI. Think of prompts as the questions or commands we give to AI. The better our prompts, the more accurate and useful the AI’s responses will be. It's like having a conversation with a highly intelligent assistant—clear, precise questions lead to clear, concise answers.

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify the importance of creating effective prompts.
• Differentiate between generic and effective prompts.
• Identify key elements of an effective prompt.
• Practice writing prompts for various scenarios.
• Apply prompt writing skills in real-world situations.

This session doesn’t offer answers. It offers a seat at the table. Join us for a journey through real-world personas where ethics isn’t abstract—it’s personal.

Learn about Copilot, both the free and paid versions and how it can help you in your job.

This session introduces Microsoft Copilot EDU, a powerful AI assistant integrated across Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. Copilot helps streamline tasks, generate content, and enhance productivity by leveraging the tools you already use every day. The paid EDU version offers advanced features tailored for educational environments, making it easier to create engaging learning materials and manage workflows efficiently.

Take an hour to learn about the many different AI tools within Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat.

Microsoft Copilot is like having a super-smart buddy built right into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook! Imagine writing emails faster, making better presentations, and analyzing data like a pro, all with a little AI help. Let’s dive in and see how Copilot can make your Microsoft life way easier!

Did you know your favorite Adobe and Microsoft apps have AI superpowers? Let’s uncover these hidden gems and see how you can use them to make your projects even cooler. Get ready to level up your creative game!