# AI Prompt Engineering for the Government Workforce Canonical URL: ## Overview This course provides a foundational understanding of how AI models respond to natural language prompts. This course covers best practices for designing and refining prompts to effectively harness AI capabilities for government operations. Participants will learn the core concepts of prompt engineering and its applications within the government sector. ## What you'll learn - Understand the fundamentals of AI and how prompt engineering affects AI responses - Craft clear and effective prompts for various AI tools and platforms used in the government sector - Identify and overcome common challenges when working with AI prompts in a government context - Apply prompt engineering techniques to enhance efficiency and decision-making in government roles ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to AI and Prompt Engineering - Overview of generative AI and language models - How AI assistants interpret and respond to prompts - Starting, managing, and continuing AI conversations - Understanding chat context and prompt chaining - Introduction to multimodal prompting #### Module 2: Crafting Effective AI Prompts - Principles of clear and effective prompt design - Zero-shot and few-shot prompting approaches - Using prompt frameworks to structure instructions - Iterative prompt refinement and experimentation - Evaluating AI outputs for quality and relevance #### Module 3: Practical Application and Challenges - Applying AI prompting to real government work tasks - Controlling writing style and tone with AI - Recognizing AI limitations, including hallucinations and bias - Ethical, privacy, and security considerations - Responsible AI use within government guidelines #### Module 4: Learning Activities & Knowledge Checks - Guided demonstrations and applied exercises - Scenario-based practice using work-related examples - Knowledge checks reinforcing key concepts ## Schedule - Jun 23, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Jul 14, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Aug 4, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Aug 25, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Sep 15, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Oct 6, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Oct 27, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Nov 17, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Dec 8, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — 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