# AI Fundamentals for Government Employees Course Canonical URL: ## Overview This course is designed to introduce government workers to the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This course provides foundational knowledge of AI technologies like machine learning, deep learning, and large language models, and understand how AI can be used to enhance productivity, decision-making, and problem-solving. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how AI can enhance efficiency, decision-making, and productivity while also addressing the ethical, legal, and regulatory aspects of AI use. ## What you'll learn - Define artificial intelligence (AI) and understand its key terminology. - Explain the architecture of AI systems, focusing on language models and neural networks. - Engage in meaningful conversations with AI to get the output you need. - Understand how AI can be applied in government-related tasks, such as data analysis, decision-making, and policy research. - Evaluate the potential implications of AI technologies on privacy and data security, especially concerning sensitive government data. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to AI - What is AI? - Everyday examples of AI - Introduction to algorithms, machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning - How AI works - **Activity:** Search vs. AI #### Module 2: AI Technologies & Usage - Introduction to language models - What is a GPT? - Overview of AI technologies - What AI can do for you - **Activity:** Ask ChatGPT a Question - How to get useful output with better prompts #### Module 3: Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Considerations for AI - Model training and data privacy (PII and PHI) - Legal implications of AI-generated content (copyright, liability, licensing) - Ethical challenges: AI biases, transparency, and accountability - Compliance with regulations: GDPR, CCPA, and other legal frameworks - **Activity:** How to Disable Training ## Schedule - Jun 18, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Jun 24, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Jul 16, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Jul 30, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Aug 18, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Aug 27, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Sep 7, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Sep 22, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Oct 6, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Oct 27, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Nov 17, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Dec 8, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online ## Instructors ### Bruce Gay — Instructor Bruce is an engaging trainers and program manager who brings 25+ years practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery. Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a Masters degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences. ### Steve Pesklo — Instructor Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance. Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years. Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). ### Brian Simms — Instructor Brian Simms is a seasoned educator and training leader with extensive experience developing and delivering innovative learning programs in project management and emerging technologies. Over the course of his career, he has designed adaptive learning models that combine instructor-led sessions, live online experiences, and self-paced study, ensuring professionals can access training in flexible and effective ways. His work has emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence into professional development, helping organizations and individuals understand how AI can be applied to solve real-world challenges in leadership, project execution, and decision-making. In addition to his instructional expertise, Brian has guided curriculum development, led large training initiatives, and advanced the use of collaboration tools that improve learner engagement and retention. His depth of experience and forward-looking perspective make him uniquely equipped to prepare federal professionals to navigate both the complexities of project management and the transformative potential of AI. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $675