SFK Workshop - AI Literacy for Non-Technical Audiences

This two-hour workshop aims to democratize AI knowledge by equipping non-technical audiences with a clear, accessible understanding of how this transformative technology works and why it matters. Starting with the story of how AI emerged, participants will learn how everyday data—sounds, images, and text—are transformed into numbers that feed the models now embedded in nearly every sphere of society, from determining interest rates in banks to curating the content we see on social media. The session will also highlight some of the core ideas of the new EU AI Act, linking technical concepts to the regulatory frameworks that will shape their real-world applications. The session will unpack the basics of how these models function, demystifying the jargon and myths that often cloud public debate. This session may be of special importance to those in policymaking, decision-making, and media, whose influence can shape public opinion and regulation. The guiding principle is simple yet urgent: we cannot shape what we do not understand. By developing AI literacy, we not only strengthen informed decision-making but also reclaim agency in how this general-purpose technology will be steered for collective benefit.