AI for Coding: Concepts and Context

The first in a three-part series on AI for Coding, this workshop introduces fundamental concepts that will help you engage efficiently with AI in coding tasks. We will use non-technical language to explain how Large Language Models (LLMs) work, so you can use them more effectively.

By the end of this workshop, you will: - Have a conceptual understanding of how LLMs work - Learn how to write intelligible prompts that AI tools respond to best - Understand the privacy risks of using AI

About the series: AI for Coding consists of three 30-minute workshops designed to help you use Large Language Models (LLMs) to support exploratory data analysis. We will introduce fundamental concepts, practice breaking down problems into actionable components, and use GitHub Copilot to integrate AI and code more efficiently. Each workshop begins with 30 minutes of teaching, followed by optional 15 minutes for questions, discussion, and practice.

Register for other workshops in the series: - Concepts and Context – August 6, 2026, 1–1:45pm - Introduction to GitHub Copilot – August 13, 2026, 1–1:45pm - Explore, Prompt, and Build with GitHub Copilot – August 20, 2026, 1–1:45pm