Curious about Generative AI? This hands-on lab simplifies core concepts—from tokens and LLMs to RAG, Agents, and MCP—while showing how they work together in real systems. By the end, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to build your own AI-powered applications.

https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/553615

Session 1: Understanding Generative AI — Core Principles and Industry Impact (40 mins)

1. What is GenAI

Understand how AI generates content and why it’s transforming every industry.

2. Tokens & How LLMs Think

Learn how text is broken into tokens and how that impacts cost, speed, and output.

3. Models & Ecosystem

Explore key GenAI players and choose the right model for your use case.

4. Prompting (Vibe Programming)

Master the art of guiding AI using structured, effective prompts.

5. RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation)

Enhance AI accuracy by grounding responses in your own data.

6. Agents (Automation Layer)

Move beyond chatbots to AI systems that can reason, plan, and take actions.

7. MCP (Tool Integration Layer)

Enable AI to securely discover and interact with real-world tools and APIs.

Session 2: GenAI in Action — From Prompt to Working Prototype (60 mins)

1. Hands-On Build

Follow along in a live demo as we integrate concepts and build an AI-powered application in real time using Visual Studio Code and Python notebooks

2. Architecture & Best Practices

Understand how all components fit together in a real-world AI system.

3. Next Steps

This event was planned by the IEEE Orange County Computer Society. They have kindly opened the workshop to virtual participation, and shared the workshop to be advertised by other chapters. For those that happen to be near UC Irvine next Monday, in person attendance is encouraged.

To suggest future topics or events for the Utah Computer Society, please email rstewart@computer.org