This advanced course focuses on the practical application of AI by utilizing pre-trained models and exploring emerging AI frameworks. Students will gain hands-on experience with established and emerging tools for integrating, fine-tuning, and deploying state-of-the-art AI models. Emphasis will be placed on transfer learning, model interpretability, and real-world deployment scenarios. Additionally, students will explore emerging frameworks that enhance the scalability, performance, and ethical integration of AI solutions in various industries. This course prepares students to implement cutting-edge AI solutions using existing model libraries and evolving tools.
By the end of the course, you will be able to…
- Explain how a Large Language Model sources data and determines conclusions.
- Compare and contrast human generated and LLM based output to determine the practical applications of AI.
- Design and implement several agentic AI based feature for use in a new or existing projects.
- Practice interacting with modern agentic AI offerings.
Course Dates: Monday, March 24 through Wednesday, May 14, 2025 (7 weeks)
Class Times: Monday, Wednesday at 1:00pm–3:30pm (15 class sessions)
| Class | Date | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mon, March 24 | Lesson 1: Autocomplete in Overdrive |
| 2 | Wed, Narch 26 | Lesson 2: The Nature of Nonsense |
| 3 | Mon, Narch 31 | Lesson 3: Turing Tests & Other Benchmarks |
| 4 | Wed, April 2 | NO CLASS |
| 5 | Mon, April 7 | Lesson 5: Hard to Understand, Harder to Fix |
| 6 | Wed, April 9 | Lesson 6: No, They're Not Doing That |
| 7 | Mon, April 14 | Lesson 7: From Voice Cloning to Shrimp Jesus |
| 8 | Mon, April 16 | Lesson 8: Poisonous Mushrooms & Doggy Passports |
| 9 | Wed, April 21 | Lesson 9: Blue Links Matter |
| 10 | Wed, April 23 | Lesson 10: Human Art of Writing |
| 11 | Mon, April 28 | Lesson 11: Transforming Education |
| 12 | Wed, April 30 | Lesson 12: The AI Scientist |
| 13 | Mon, May 5 | Lesson 13: The Future of Work |
| 14 | Wed, May 7 | Lesson 14: Authenticity |
| 15 | Wed, May 12 | LAB DAY, NO ZOOM Work on Project Presentations |
| 16 | Wed, May 14 | Presentations |
We will be using Gradescope, which allows us to provide fast and accurate feedback on your work. All assigned work will be submitted through Gradescope, and assignment and exam grades will be returned through Gradescope.
As soon as grades are posted, you will be notified immediately so that you can log in and see your feedback. You may also submit regrade requests if you feel we have made a mistake.
Your Gradescope login is your Dominican email, and your password can be changed at https://gradescope.com/reset_password. The same link can be used if you need to set your password for the first time.
Tutorials and challenges will be introduced throughout the course from the following repositiory containing the most up-to-date techniques for crafting AI agents: https://github.com/NirDiamant/GenAI_Agents
To pass this course you must meet the following requirements:
- Complete all required assignments
- Pass all projects according to the associated project rubric
- Actively participate in class and abide by the attendance policy
- Make up all classwork from all absences
- Textbook: BS Machines, or Modern Day Oracles?
- Instructor Guide: https://thebullshitmachines.com/instructor-guide/index.html