With a goal to empower the Berkeley Lab community with the skills and confidence to effectively use AI tools in their daily administrative and operational tasks, the IT Division is launching Berkeley Lab AI Mastery (BLAM!) program. This 6 week training is designed to make AI accessible, engaging, and practical for employees of all skill levels. Keep an eye out for an email going out Monday, Jan. 27 to start your BLAM! Experience.
“Our goal is to demystify AI and show that it’s not just a tool for scientists or programmers—it’s for everyone,” said Adam Stone, CIO/IT Division Director at Berkeley Lab. “Many people consider AI to be a cheat, but in many cases, it’s a great partner for your work that can save time and enable entirely new ways of doing things.”
Levels and Coursework
BLAM! will offer tailored resources for three distinct groups within the Lab community:
- 101: for people who have either never used AI tools, or are casual, occasional users.
- 201: series of training will be for those who are familiar with AI tools and eager to explore new ways to integrate them into their workflows.
- Coders: People interested in using AI tools to improve their code development workflows, or those interested in learning programming with AI.
The program blends webinars led by members of the IT Division, reading materials, challenges, and videos to deliver a structured yet flexible learning experience. Participants will have access to live office hours and chat rooms where they can share achievements, ask questions, and collaborate with peers.
Helping people understand what AI can and can’t do
One of the primary goals of BLAM! is to address misconceptions about AI. For example, many people have encountered hallucinations and determined that AI can’t be trusted. Others may have tried a particular prompt and gotten a less than satisfactory result. BLAM aims to help you build the skills to know when and how to use AI – and to make your use of it more effective.
“AI is like a high-tech assistant,” Stone explained. “It can handle repetitive or time-consuming tasks, leaving you with more time and energy for the work that requires your unique insights and creativity. It’s not about replacing your thinking—it’s about enhancing it.”
The program will also underscores the importance of ethical and compliant use, ensuring that all AI applications align with Berkeley Lab’s values of innovation and integrity.
How to get started
The program kicks off Monday, January 27th via a Lab-wide email with its first set of resources and challenges. Whether you’re a beginner curious about AI or a coder looking to push the boundaries, BLAM! promises to be an engaging experience that will make you feel confident using AI at the Lab.
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