{"id":494,"date":"2024-02-02T10:32:32","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T10:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/?p=494"},"modified":"2024-02-02T10:32:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T10:32:32","slug":"getting-started-with-gen-ai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2024\/02\/02\/getting-started-with-gen-ai\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting started with Gen AI"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Andy Holgate<\/a>, Library Digital Skills Developer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Generative AI really is a disruptive technology, and it\u2019s already altering the way we produce content across society: entertainment, education, marketing, and even software engineering.<\/span>
\nThere are good and bad uses, especially in education, but it is a technology that we can embrace and use well, and more than anything else I want to stress WE DON\u2019T HAVE TO BE SCARED OF GEN AI!<\/span><\/p>\n

There is so much misinformation out there on the subject (and yes, ironically, most of it has probably been created by Generative AI). I don\u2019t know about you but for me it was difficult knowing where to start. I had so many questions, I\u2019d heard so many things, and I had no clue where to go for answers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well ok that\u2019s not entirely true, unless you were living under a rock, you will have been aware that back in 2023 the University issued guidelines on the subject: Principles for the Educational Application of Generative AI<\/a> in which the University states \u201cLancaster University promotes a culture of Generative AI (Gen AI) awareness, criticality and expertise. We encourage effective and responsible use of Gen AI technologies in learning and teaching, fostering student and staff digital and academic literacies.\u201d This was further expanded on with guidance on various types of AI, how it could be used, the pitfalls of using it etc. That further guidance is available here: Using AI in your learning and assessment<\/a> and it\u2019s a really good starting point.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, let me explain a little more about how I found myself stood at the foot of a sheer rock face called Gen AI. I work in professional services, the library to be exact, and part of my role is to help colleagues with increasing their digital skills. Back in 2023 I was presented with the phrase \u201cWe need to run a training session on Gen AI for the library staff. Introducing it, how it could used etc\u2026\u201d I\u2019m not going to lie, I looked at my manager and behind my smile I was thinking \u201cWhere do I start?\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, I ran some internet searches, read a few blogs and articles and started to get an idea of what it was all about. Turns out it wasn\u2019t as alien as I thought, I\u2019d been using forms of it for years in google translate, MS office products, library databases, that app on my phone that let me edit photos in lots of weird and wonderful ways. Seeing that familiarity suddenly made it less scary.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tool for me that really brought my knowledge up to speed was LinkedIn Learning<\/a>. The University had bought a subscription in 2023 giving all students and staff access to over 22,000 training videos and courses. Now cards on the table, I have to admit that part of my role is the promotion of the platform at the University, so maybe I am slightly biased BUT hey I\u2019m not on commission! I looked at LinkedIn Learning and discovered that there was a lot of material available on the subject. I started watching videos to learn more. I was pressed for time and working to a deadline so I deliberately chose videos rather than full courses, meaning I could watch a three minute video from an expert explaining just what Chat GPT was. I watched quite a few on various subjects such as Google Bard, Canva, ethics of AI, brainstorming with Gen AI, searching with Gen AI and a whole lot more. I had massively increased my awareness in a short amount of time, and all the while using a professional, reliable source. Now, you have the opportunity to do the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

Working with others across the University, we have created a LinkedIn Learning pathway called A beginner\u2019s guide to generative ai<\/a>.<\/span>
\nThis is split into sections and the first few are comprised of the short videos I mentioned above, you don\u2019t have to watch them all, you can dip in and out as you please. At the start there is a general introduction which formed part of the training session I ran for library staff \u2013 it\u2019s the basics in very plain English, written how I would want to be taught. Next, you get the videos which really will introduce you to most aspects of Gen AI and where it stands as of now in early 2024.<\/span>
\nNow don\u2019t be put off when you see the pathway says it contains 22 hours of learning, the first 24 videos ( the short introduction ones ) come in at under 90 minutes total. The final section of the pathway is courses, so if you want to climb further up that AI rock face you can do, but understandably not everyone needs to.<\/span><\/p>\n

I hope that all makes sense, and if you\u2019ve made it this far, thanks for reading. So go have a look at the pathway, quell any fears you may have and embrace the technology (no harm in questioning it either). I\u2019m old enough to remember the dawn of the modern internet (not the original military one) and people feared it, today it\u2019s woven into every fabric of modern life. Gen AI is the next thread in that rich tapestry.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have any questions or comments about this blog post or the LinkedIn Learning pathway, please get in touch with me<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disclaimer:<\/strong> the opinions expressed in this blog are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the university.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Andy Holgate, Library Digital Skills Developer Generative AI really is a disruptive technology, and it\u2019s already altering the way we produce content across society: entertainment, education, marketing, and even software engineering. There are good and bad uses, especially in education, but it is a technology that we can embrace and use well, and … Continue reading Getting started with Gen AI<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1661,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[35,24,37,19],"class_list":["post-494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pedagogy","tag-ai","tag-library","tag-linkedin-learning","tag-teaching-tool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":780,"url":"https:\/\/wp.lancs.ac.uk\/lu-digitaldigest\/2025\/12\/15\/did-you-know-you-have-access-to-copilot-chat\/","url_meta":{"origin":494,"position":0},"title":"Did you know you have access to Copilot Chat?","author":"Elizabeth Walkden","date":"December 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"As part of our institutional license with Microsoft, staff and students have access to Copilot Chat. 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