Build Week – AI resources – Building Blocks

The following are some AI-starter resources before our Build Week.

Need help? Want to share learnings? Email us at buildlabs26@gmail.com

A gentle introduction to what AI actually is (and isn’t).

Elements of AI (University of Helsinki) — The gold standard for a free, non-math introduction to AI basics.
AI 101 by Code.org — Short, high-quality videos explaining neural networks, perfect for visual learners.
Data Nuggets — Great for understanding how data becomes a story (crucial for AI literacy).
A.I. Experiments by Google — A collection of simple, fun ways to “play” with AI models in your browser.
⚡ 2-Minute Challenge: Write down one thing you thought was “magic” about AI. Now, try to identify the “data” it might have learned from to do that task.

Practical “Day 1” steps for setting up your environment and sending your first meaningful prompts.

Setting up an account: Choose your “daily driver” and sign up using a Google or Microsoft account for the fastest setup: ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude.
The One Useful Thing (Ethan Mollick) — Practical, expert-led strategies for using AI in daily life and professional work.
Anthropic’s Prompt Library — Excellent for seeing “Gold Standard” prompts you can copy and paste today.
💡 Tip: Try multiple models to see how “personalities” differ; Gemini is great for Google users, while Claude is often better at creative writing.
⚡ 2-Minute Challenge: Take a “boring” email and ask an AI: “Rewrite this to be 20% more professional. Then, explain why you made those specific changes.” (The explanation is where the learning happens!)

Understanding the foundations of how to use these tools responsibly, protect your data, and recognize inherent biases.

The Algorithmic Justice League — Vital research on bias and “coded gaze” by Dr. Joy Buolamwini.
UNESCO’s Ethics of AI — The global standard for ethical AI policy and human rights.
IBM AI Ethics Course — A beginner-friendly breakdown of fairness, accountability, and transparency.
🤔 Thought Question: If an AI assistant gives medical advice that is wrong, who is responsible? The user who asked, the company that built it, or the sources it read on the internet?

AI doesn’t experience the world the same way in every language or on every device. Understanding these limitations is key to using AI equitably.

The Language Gap (Oxford Insights) — Research highlighting how AI models often default to Western/English norms.
The Hallucination Warning (Stanford HAI) — A clear explanation of why AI “hallucinates” (makes up facts confidently) and how to spot it.
Low-Bandwidth AI (ITU/United Nations): Insights on how AI can be accessed via low-data platforms like WhatsApp for those without high-speed internet.

A curated gallery of “no-code” tools that provide immediate value for non-technical users.

Perplexity AI — An AI search engine that cites sources (the best tool for fighting misinformation).
Goblin.tools — Incredible for neurodiversity; it breaks down overwhelming tasks into tiny, manageable steps.
Canva Magic Studio — AI-powered design tools for the “non-artist.”
⚡ 2-Minute Challenge: Use the Goblin.tools Formalizer to turn a frustrated “vent” or a messy draft into a polite, constructive message.

Projects to help you get your first “Learning Receipt” (proof of what you’ve learned).

Build a Custom GPT or Gem — Create a personalized assistant (e.g., a “Meal Planner” or “Code Tutor”) in under 10 minutes.
Loom Video Tutorials — Record your screen to show your “Gallery Walk” or walk others through your new tool.
Miro AI — For visual brainstorming and collaborative mind-mapping during our building sessions.
⚡ Mini-Project: Create a “Custom Instruction” for your AI that tells it your preferred tone, your job, and how you like to receive information. (This saves you hours of prompting later!)

Stuck on a login? Need a volunteer to help you scope a project? We are here to help.

Email: buildlabs26@gmail.com
⚡ Mini-Challenge: Send us your learnings, progress, and questions! Email us at buildlabs26@gmail.com right now with your name, your interest area, and one goal you have for this week.