No one comes to an AILDG as “the expert”, instead everyone comes with a Beginners Mindset to read and watch suggested materials, listen carefully to their peers, and share their observations, questions, and insights. The cohort stays together in their exploration of the topic through one or more in-person or on-line discussions and further online engagement.

“I was scared to join this discussion group because I thought I would feel the same way and not be able to keep up or have anything to contribute. I was so happy that Bart established that we’re all beginners and that no one in the group is the expert - including Bart! That helped me relax so that I could really listen and ask the questions I’m scared to ask in other settings. My questions actually caused the group to have fascinating conversations and I learned that other people in the group felt similar to me. I’ve participated in 3 discussion groups sessions and now I find that I can start to debunk headlines or over-the-top claims that I encounter and people at work and in my friend circle are starting to look to me when they have questions about AI. Who would have expected that? Not me! I still know that I have a lot to learn but my participation in these groups has helped me to build more confidence that I know a thing or two.”

— June Parker, marketing manager at a Fortune 500 corporation and parent of two teenagers

AI can feel exciting, overwhelming, exhausting, hopeful, and hopeless all at the same time. On top of that, it’s hard to know what to believe or who to listen to and sometimes we find ourselves just wanting to give up. The latest headlines or product offering can make us feel ill-informed and fearful of potential embarrassment and these feelings can lead to isolation - real and/or perceived. Above all, we know this is a topic that we can’t just ignore.

AILDGs won’t tell members what to believe. Instead, along with a group of engaged peers, members will explore a specific topic to develop foundational understanding and confidence. This confidence gives members a platform to think for themselves and expand their knowledge through sources beyond the scope of the AILDG.

“I’ve felt fear, confusion, and excitement about AI and often had a hard time finding others to share these feelings and discoveries. With AI Literacy Discussion Groups, I’m creating the learning community I want to be a part of and I‘m excited to find and develop a diverse group of people to travel with on this journey as we share with and learn from each other.”

— Bart Gottschalk, Mosaic Mesh AI founder