Welcome to the first part of the foundational module on AI literacy. This module aims to provide you with insight into the working mechanisms and underlying principles of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). You will not only learn what this technology does, but also how it works and when it might not be reliable. By understanding its limitations, you will be able to use AI more effectively, more responsibly, and with less frustration in your studies, and beyond.

Learning objectives

Understanding the underlying mechanisms
You will explore what lies “under the hood” of GenAI tools and how they are built. This insight will help you use GenAI in a more effective and targeted manner. Students who apply GenAI in a thoughtful and responsible way not only work more efficiently, but also learn more quickly and produce higher-quality outcomes.
Critical thinking
You will learn why limitations, errors, and biases can occur in AI-generated output. You will come to understand why responses often appear reliable, even when they are not.
A solid foundation for future developments
Through examples and applications, you will become familiar with a number of core concepts and underlying systems. This knowledge will enable you to keep abreast of future developments in AI and will make it easier for you to further upskill independently.