This workshop is tailored for middle and high-school educators, primarily focusing on unraveling the intricacies of the technology behind state-of-the-art AI models such as ChatGPT.
On day one, we will explore the foundational concepts of machine learning, transformers, multi-modal models, and fine-tuning. We will delve into the art of effective prompting strategies to optimize the utility of these AI tools. You will gain hands-on experience through demonstrations and activities, fostering a deeper understanding of using AI for your own teaching. As homework, you will use AI in a project of your own choosing. On day two, we will explore how AI can help students with their learning. We will explore the creative aspects of multimodal AI models. And we will also discuss the critical challenges associated with AI, including bias, misinformation, safety, and ethical considerations.
This workshop is an invaluable opportunity for educators to deepen their knowledge and use of AI. It will enable you to confidently and competently navigate the quickly evolving AI landscape. We encourage schools and districts to send teams of educators.
Cost: This special offering is not covered by regular TAS membership and is open to all. The tuition for the two full days is $375, paid by the participant or, where the opportunity exists, by the participant’s school. In the latter case, we will email an invoice to the appropriate person once you register. The fee will include lunch on Day 1 and, if desired, a $20 reimbursement of a ChatGPT subscription. TAS will accept payment by a mailed check, which will secure your seat in the workshop. All but $75 of your tuition can be refunded with two weeks notice.
Note: Participants in the course will need to purchase a $20 one-month subscription to ChatGPT4o, but TAS will reimburse that cost.
Instructor: Hanspeter Pfister, Harvard University
Location: The Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), Harvard University
Dates: June 30 & July 1, 2026, 9:00-3:00pm.
Register by: May 1, 2026. Click here to register.
HANSPETER PFISTER is the An Wang Professor of Computer Science in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and an affiliate faculty member of the Harvard Center for Brain Science. He served as director of the Institute for Applied Computational Science 2013-17 and as Academic Dean for Computational Science and Engineering 2021-24. Pfister has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stony Brook University, New York, and an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from ETH Zurich, Switzerland. He received the 2010 IEEE Visualization Technical Achievement Award, the 2009 IEEE Meritorious Service Award, and the 2009 Petra T. Shattuck Excellence in Teaching Award. Hanspeter has been a member of the TAS faculty for many years and has taught this course since 2023.